Aims and Fit of Module
This module is compulsory for MA TESOL students admitted on the condition of attending the Presessional English course. After completing the Presessional, they must register for and pass both LAN 903 and LAN 904. Programme Directors may also designate this course as compulsory for students on their programme. It is optional for other MA TESOL students.
The main aims of this module are:
a) To improve students’ academic study skills necessary for successful postgraduate study;
b) To deepen students’ understanding of academic English genres and stylistic conventions;
c) To examine and practice a broad range of academic communication skills;
d) To develop critical thinking and reading skills.
e) To enhance research and evaluative reading methods.
Learning outcomes
After completing the module, students should be able to:
a) Critically read and summarize academic texts by paraphrasing and quoting with appropriate citations and references;
b) Understand and use appropriate academic style in writing and speaking;
c) Organize both essays and reports according to discipline conventions;
d) Demonstrate appropriate critical thinking when expressing opinions in seminars or formal discussions.
e) Evaluate sources to determine appropriateness for use in background and literature review sections.
Method of teaching and learning
This module will be offered in Semester 1 of the Academic Year.
The teaching sessions are 2 2-hour seminars each week for 12 weeks. As an hours-based module students may miss no more than 4 seminars in order to be permitted to submit their summative assessment portfolio.
Students will receive 52 hours of guided self-study to reinforce the instruction. This will include completion of quizzes and tasks on ICE, and using the process-writing approach of re-drafting and editing to prepare the portfolio assessment.
Throughout this module, the tutors will use a variety of communicative language teaching/learning strategies to reach all types of learners.