Overview

This course is only available to students whose native language is not English and who have not passed the Cambridge Advanced level examination.

This is a single module, taught during the first term of the university year. The course is thematically organised around topics of general interest and wide academic application. Each unit comprises a video or audio tape and exercises and speaking activities based on it. The exercises used are approximately equivalent to Cambridge Advanced level, ALTE level 4, corresponding to 'Competent User' in the Council of Europe framework. Tapes and videos are at levels from Advanced to native speaker level to reflect the needs of students' other study at this university.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40% A student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 6.0).A student has a basic ability to listen and understand spoken English and is usually able to respond appropriately, although there may be some errors of grammar and vocabulary and s/he may require the interlocutor or repeat or explain expressions. Pronunciation may be heavily accented.

-good -55% A student has achieved a good standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above (equivalent to IELTS 6.5).A student has good ability to listen and understand spoken English and is able to respond appropriately and effectively, although there may be occasional errors of grammar and vocabulary. S/he may occasionally require the interlocutor to repeat or explain unfamiliar or idiomatic expressions but this will rarely impede communication.

-excellent -70% A student has achieved an exceptional standard of competence in coursework and examination relating to the learning outcomes above(equivalent to IELTS 7.0 or above).A student has excellent ability to listen and understand spoken English and is able to respond appropriately and effectively with very few errors of grammar and vocabulary. S/he will only rarely require the interlocutor to repeat or explain unfamiliar or idiomatic expressions but communication is excellent and approaching that of native speakers in pace and content.

Learning Outcomes

• Be familiar with English spoken in a variety of accents.

• Hold conversations on general topics with other English learners and with native speakers of English.

• Understand and complete general and academic exercises using listening material designed for student at IELTS 6.0 and above.

• Understand the gist of listening material at native speaker level and to make appropriate comments and responses.