Academic English Module: Learning Outcomes and Seminar Presentation

Objectives of the Academic English Module

1. To equip students with sufficient knowledge of Academic English to undertake university study.

2. To improve students’ skills and competence in listening to, reading, writing, and speaking using Academic English.

3. To prepare students for the rigours of UK university life and academic practices.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the module, a student should be able to:

1. Manage themselves as students in a UK university;

2. Prepare for lectures, conferences and seminars in a variety of styles;

3. Take notes and write them up accurately;

4. Analyse texts to infer a writer’s point of view or bias;

5. Plan, research and write an academic body of text;

6. Use quotation, paraphrase and summary to support their work;

7. Explain the meaning and ramifications of plagiarism;

8. Orally present an academic body of work of their own writing;

9. Reflect upon their experience of the research process and issues they encounter.

1. Speaking: Phonetic pronunciation, rhythm and stress patterns, using dynamic speech patterns, presentation techniques, debating techniques.

2. Listening: Questioning techniques, understanding lectures, note taking & recording, understanding register, discourse markers & signpost words, listening for gist and specific information, extended listening & summarising lectures.

3. Reading: Text analysis, reading, research and reference recording, locating information, identifying bias and evaluating evidence, identifying facts & opinions, critical reading.

4. Writing: Note taking, planning writing, writing styles, using quotation, paraphrase & summary, plagiarism & unfair practice and referencing.

A. Written work

Ø A signed declaration that the work is your own (apart from otherwise referenced acknowledgements) must be included after the reference page of your assignment

Ø Each page must be numbered.

Ø Where appropriate, a contents page, a list of tables/figures and a list of abbreviations should precede your work.

Ø All referencing must adhere to School/Institutional requirements.

Ø A word count must be stated at the end of your work.

Ø Appendices should be kept to the minimum and be of direct relevance to the content of your work.

Ø All tables and figures must be correctly numbered and labelled.

Prepare a seminar-type presentation where students will be given the chance to speak, explain and discuss. This presentation is individual. Each student chooses a topic from the list below to be approved by the tutor. The talk should be delivered within 6-7 minutes.

The talk will mainly contain the objective of the topic, presentation of the concept and recommendation for students to enhance their presentation skills. The individual presentation must be Video recorded by the students through Microsoft teams and sent to the tutor by email with their ID. No as the file name. Students who do not wish to video record the presentation will have to present live through Microsoft Teams which will not be recorded. The students will also prepare PowerPoint slides to show evidence of the use of paraphrase, quotation and summary skills. The PowerPoint slides need to be uploaded on the Turnitin to get the similarity report. Provide the reference in the last slide using the Harvard referencing style.

Suggested Topics for presentation

1. Study skills are very important for students. Explain how to become a successful learner?

2. Importance of Time Management in Students’ Life.

3. Technology has brought about many changes in education. In your opinion, what is the role of technology in education?

4. Online learning is gaining more popularity these days. What are the pros and cons of online learning?

5. In your opinion, what is the role of social media in our lives?

6. Importance of Presentation Skills in Students’ Life.

7. How to maintain a good work- life balance?

8. What are the pros and cons that technology has brought about in communication?