Module QXS-2001:
Integrated English Skills 1

Module Facts

Run by School of Languages, Literatures, Linguistics and Media

10 Credits or 5 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Miss Debbie Garlick

Overall aims and purpose

This course, available only to non-native speakers of English, aims to develop students' English language competence in speaking, listening, reading and writing so that they can use the language with greater ease and fluency. The course will enable students to perform more effectively in their academic work in a British university context. It will also enable them to adapt their English to a variety of cultural situations so that they can develop their own interests within an English language cultural setting.

Course content

This course is only available to students whose native langauage is not English.

Optional for second year students on any course.

This module is a wide-ranging topic-based course which utilises a multi-media approach to language learning. Various techniques and materials are used, including video & audio recordings and authentic reading texts. The course places particular emphasis on Listening skills, Communication skills, Grammar and Idiomatic English. The six broad topics around which this language work takes place are Health, Homes, Travel, Culture, Work and People & Relationships. Handouts of materials are provided for students.

Assessment Criteria

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 shows the ability to produce basic written English in a variety of registers and has some awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. There are some errors in grammar and format in the majority of written work.

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 shows the ability to produce good written English in a variety of registers and has good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. There are only a few errors in grammar and/or format in all written work but these do not interfere with the communication of ideas.

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 shows the ability to produce written English in a variety of registers and has a very good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. There are only a few (minor) errors in grammar or format in all written work. Ideas are communicated effectively and with stylistic elegance.

Learning outcomes

  1. On successful completion of the module a student will:

    1. Understand authentic spoken Engilsh at a level equivalent to IELTS 6

    2. Understand authentic written English at a level equivalent to IELTS 6

    3. Have a good operational command of spoken English

    4. Be able to use appropriate English to prepare and deliver a short talk of 3-4 minutes in duration

    5. Be able to write appropirately in a variety of registers

    6. Attain a level of grammatical accuracy in English equivalent to IELTS 6 or above

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Written assignment, including essay Report 20
Written assignment, including essay Travel Article 20
Written assignment, including essay Essay 20
EXAM Final Exam

1 1/2 hour written exam - grammar, vocabulary and writing.

 40

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

Teaching consists of a two-hour ineractive class each week for 12 weeks. Students are expected to do a considerable amount of independent study in preparation for, and in addition to, the assessed assignments.

 100

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: