Module overview
English Stage 4 (ENGL9002: full academic year) is aimed at those students who have met the University’s language entry requirement (IELTS 6.5, or equivalent). It is therefore only suitable for international students who have English as a second language.
English Stage 4 integrates detailed study of aspects of British culture, such as social issues, current events or topics of current interest with a deepening study of the structures, vocabulary and sounds of the English language.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Transferable and Generic Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- Apply learning, research and organisational skills
- Evidence intercultural and interpersonal skills
- Engage in a range of communication skills: written, oral, and IT
- Manage your tasks effectively
Knowledge and Understanding
Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:
- more advanced structures and lexis orally and in writing, and growing awareness of different genres and registers
- productive skills (speaking and writing in the English language)
- contemporary UK and culture-specific issues
- most grammatical structures, and command of most of them, and know sufficient metalanguage (terminology) to understand and construct accurate descriptions of grammar and of how language is used.
- passive skills (increased speed of understanding of written and spoken English language)
Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- extract and synthesise key information from written and spoken sources
- develop problem-solving skills to develop your use and understanding of language learning skills
- engage in analytical and evaluative thinking appropriate to language learning skills
Syllabus
This stage develops linguistic proficiency by focusing on a wide range of source materials, both written and spoken, relevant to the target language culture(s). These sources will provide a framework for developing your ability to understand and use sophisticated language forms applications. Authentic print and multimedia material covering a variety of styles, registers and genres will be used and a range of current topics will be covered.
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching methods include: classes and independent learning.
Classes
Although part of any class session is likely to involve direct teaching, the emphasis is on student participation and you will be expected to take part actively in discussion and in tasks such as small group and pair work, and individual or group presentations.
Independent learning
You will be expected to spend time studying outside the class, and we provide guidance, facilities and materials to help you develop your expertise as an independent language learner. As you progress through the stages you will learn to understand, monitor and improve your own learning style; you will also acquire some expertise as a researcher and develop the kind of key skills which are valued by employers. You are encouraged to use the facilities in the university library, which include on-line and computer-based resources, and current newspapers, journals and magazines. For this stage, you will be asked to prepare exercises and activities for the class , to read, watch or listen to material in the target language, consolidate your class work, to write assignments, undertake projects and continue to develop your repertoire of effective language learning strategies.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Seminar | 72 |
| Independent Study | 228 |
| Total study time | 300 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Resources and reading list. The Library and Learning Commons is continually updating its facilities and materials for independent language learning (described under Independent Learning above) and you will find many of the recommended learning and reference materials here. You will need a comprehensive dictionary for this module but there will also be a large number of authentic resources made available via Blackboard, the University’s Virtual Learning Environment.
English Dictionary. MacMillan English Dictionary for Advanced Learners OR Collins COBUILD English Language Dictionary.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
At the beginning of the module, you will receive information about your assessment. This will include:
- what tasks you will be expected to carry out
- clear criteria against which your work will be assessed
- the provisional date and deadline for each assessment task
Note that it is the responsibility of students to ensure that they have read and understood this documentation, to plan their work schedule in advance, and to keep to the deadlines. If you are in any doubt, talk to the module coordinator in good time.
Assessment will cover what you have studied in class and what you are expected to have acquired as an independent learner. The design of the tasks and the criteria by which they are assessed ensure that you will be able to demonstrate all aspects of your learning: language skills, strategies and knowledge related to language learning, and key skills, as well as module specific content. Coursework and end-of-semester assessments will give you formative feedback on your progress, that is, feedback which will help you learn, as well as testing what you have achieved.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 40% |
| Integrative Multi Skill Assignment | 30% |
| Integrative Multi Skill Assignment | 20% |
| Attendance and engagement | 5% |
| Integrative Multi Skill Assignment | 5% |
Referral
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 100% |
Repeat
An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Assessment tasks | 100% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External