| Unit name | Accelerated Academic Language and Literacy |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LANG00023 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | QCA-3 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Ms. Katherine High |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
IELTS overall 7.0, minimum 5.5 in Speaking, Listening and Reading components, minimum 6.0 in the Writing component |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | Centre for Academic Language and Development |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
This is a 40-credit unit within the International Foundation Programme which is designed to prepare international students for undergraduate study at a UK university and is aimed at students with a minimum B2+ level of English.
The unit aims to develop students' academic language and literacy through problem based learning using an integrated skills approach, focusing on reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as appropriate academic vocabulary and grammar. To prepare students for the study culture of UK higher education, there is a focus on critical thinking and the social construction of knowledge through the critical analysis of tasks centred around the Bristol Futures themes and texts, which students will respond to in a variety of oral and written formats. This will be done through group-based activities to develop team-working skills, as well as through individual tasks to promote learner autonomy. In addition, students will be guided to critically reflect on their own learning and their ability to engage with a range of written and spoken texts.
By the end of the unit, students will be able to:
1. Research a topic by reading linguistically complex academic texts
2. Critically evaluate the effectiveness of a linguistically complex written text
3. Synthesise information from two or more academic texts
4. Use appropriate tone and register when writing academic texts
5. Give a presentation on an academic topic in their field of specialisation,using linguistically complex language
6. Critically evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of a presentation
Students will attend 6 hours of study per week consisting of 3 lessons of two academic hours. Learning is facilitated in small group classroom sessions (12-16) involving a combination of teacher-led input, combined with practical, problem-based work. On-line delivery of materials through Blackboard VLE
Formative assessment:
Paterson, K. and Wedge, R., 2013. Oxford Grammar for EAP: English grammar and practice for Academic Purposes. Oxford University Press.
Plus materials provided by Centre
