Overview

This course is for students taking the BA in Applied Linguistics for English Language Studies or the BA in English Language Studies.

What is this module? To raise students' English language awareness to a level which enables the student to comprehend varieties of English. Also, to increase greater capabilities in English Proficiency. What will it involve? It involves investigating a wide variety of English, including Scottish, American, Caribbean and Indian English, as well as providing the students will the opportunity of improving their English proficiency. Why is it exciting? The module challenges a student’s language skills and awareness of many aspects of variations within modes of English spoken worldwide. What will I learn/gain from partaking in it? Students will gain interaction with a tutor with 15 years of experience, as well as gaining the chance to interact with other students from various countries with a similar level of English proficiency. How will it be assessed? By presentation and essay.

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

This course is for students taking the BA in Applied Linguistics for English Language Studies or the BA in English Language Studies.

This double-module course covers all major skill areas of English language at a level approaching that of an educated native speaker. It does not focus solely on 'academic' English, but covers a variety of registers. There is, however, a strong academic slant to much of the work. Components of the course include essay writing, grammar study, vocabulary development and listening work.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold -40% A student has achieved the minimum acceptable standard of English language competence for this module. A student shows the ability to produce spoken and written English for a variety of purposes and has awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss and explain text genres and content adequately but without flair or insight. There are a few errors in grammar and format in the majority of spoken and written work and vocabulary choice may be comparatively limited and may exhibit evidence of interference from L1.

-good -55% A student has achieved a good standard of English language competence. A student shows good ability to produce spoken & written English for a variety of purposes and has good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss and explain text genres and content adequately and with some flair and insight. There are very few errors in grammar and format in the majority of spoken & written work. Vocabulary choice is good but expression may occasionally fall short of first-language (L1) English level.

-excellent -70% A student has achieved an exceptional standard of English language. A student shows excellent ability to produce spoken & written English for a variety of purposes and has very good awareness of structure, content, style and grammatical accuracy. S/he is able to discuss and explain text genres and content with considerable flair and insight and at a level almost commensurate with that of an educated L1 English speaker. There are only rarely errors in grammar and format in any spoken & written work. Vocabulary choice is excellent and expression is approaching that of a first-language (L1) English speaker.

Learning Outcomes

• Appraise varieties of English as they relate to English proficiency.

• Analyse English from a variety of speakers as they relate to differing modes of English, such as Scots, American or Indian.

• Create and deliver PowerPoint presentations with regard to expressing awareness of proficiency English.