Academic English Skills (AES)

Teaching Responsibility

LJMU Schools involved in Delivery:

LJMU Partner Taught

Learning Methods

Lecture

Seminar

Tutorial

Module Offerings

3525IFBSG-JAN-PAR

3525IFBSG-MAY-PAR

3525IFBSG-SEP-PAR

Aims

The main aims for this module are: 1. To develop awareness and competency in the range of language-related skills required for successful study at Higher Education level. These include the processes and conventions of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. 2. To develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language to enable you to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence. 3. To support you in reflecting on your learning and identifying how to improve your skills and language. 4. To ensure you are able to meet the requirements of the UKVI and the partner University through demonstrating an English language level of CEFR B2 in the skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking.

Learning Outcomes

Read with a large degree of independence, (C) using effective reading strategies to identify the main lines of argument in academic texts and find specific information. (CA)

Express yourself clearly using a range of language and some complex sentence forms,(C) with appropriate style and register realised.

Follow the essentials of lectures, talks, reports and other forms of academic/professional presentation which are propositionally and linguistically complex. (C)

Write an essay systematically developing an argument with appropriate highlighting of significant points and relevant supporting information, and synthesising information and arguments from a number of sources. (C)

Take effective notes on a clearly structured text, presentation or lecture. (P)

Interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. (RQF Level 3)

Contribute, account for and sustain his/her opinions in discussion by providing relevant explanations, arguments and comments. (CA)

Research and plan written tasks effectively, identifying and incorporating reliable and relevant source materials. (B)

Give a well-structured, detailed academic presentation on a given subject. (CA) References to external benchmarking in the Learning Outcomes are: C – Common European Framework of Reference, CA – CEFR (Adapted), P – Pearson Global Scale of English Learning Objectives for Learners of Academic English, RQF – Regulated Qualifications Framework, B – BALEAP Can-do Framework for EAP

Module Content

Outline Syllabus:• Writing: understanding essay questions; analysing, planning, and organising different text and essay types • Making notes from texts, lectures, and presentations • Incorporating support into writing: paraphrasing, summarising, synthesising sources, incorporating direct quotations, referring to data, in-text, and end of text referencing • Critical reading – evaluating the reliability of sources, distinguishing fact and opinion, evaluating the strength of claims • Effective reading skills – skimming for gist and scanning for specific information, distinguishing between main points and supporting information, identifying sources of information in a text, identifying relationships between ideas in a text • Effective listening skills: Recognising lecture and presentation structure, using signposting; understanding main ideas, identifying specific information • Speaking skills: participating in seminars, developing fluency • Delivering a structured presentation to an audience and responding to questions • Academic research skills - finding and evaluating sources • Time management & independent learning • Academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism • Critical thinking • Working with others • Participating in a feedback tutorial • Peer-review & constructive criticism • Reflecting critically on your own work • Editing and proof-reading your work • Language development: academic word list, academic writing style

Additional Information:AES module assessment is mapped against UKVI requirements to enable students to demonstrate competencies at B2 of the Common European Framework of References (CEFR) for Languages. AES grading and assessment is also benchmarked against the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Such mapping requires an increased number of learning outcomes to be met by students and assessment of all four language skills: speaking, reading, writing and listening. David Pickup - Module Leader.

Course Catalogue