How this module can help you
Level
Objectives
Learning outcomes
Modes of learning
Classroom instruction
Web-based exercises
Independent learning
Assessment
How this module can help you
University students probably spend more time reading than they do listening, speaking or writing. Reading academic texts can be particularly demanding, yet students may not have developed the skills needed to handle this challenge. This module will discuss reading strategies and will present features of academic writing in order to help you become more effective and more efficient in reading at university.
Level
This is a Level A module mainly intended for first-year students who have a weak foundation in a particular area of English (e.g. they have performed poorly in any of the papers in the Use of English). The main aim of these modules is to help students to build a sound foundation in their areas of weakness. Level A modules are pitched at lower-intermediate to intermediate levels.
Objectives
This module aims to help students develop appropriate reading strategies and to recognise features of academic texts so that they will become more effective readers of materials presented to them at university.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students are expected to be able to
- use reading strategies to locate specific information and identify gist
- identify the topic sentence and supporting details and write paragraphs containing topic sentences
- identify rhetorical features and produce writing that incorporates these features
- recognise and analyse a writer's intention, attitude and stance
- achieve clarity of expression, and present ideas in a more cogent and coherent manner
Modes of learning
This module involves 30 hours of learning in three modes:
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Developing Academic Reading Skills A
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Classroom instruction
14 hours |
Web-based tasks
10 hours |
Independent learning
6 hours
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Classroom instruction
In the classroom component of this module you are expected to complete 7 units of work on various reading skills. The topics covered in these units are as follows.
Unit |
Topics |
1 |
Introduction to ELEP and Developing Academic Reading Skills A |
2 |
Skimming and Scanning |
3 |
Identifying gist, topic sentences and supporting evidence |
4 |
Fact and opinion |
5 |
Recognising writers' intentions |
6 |
Understanding Coherence and Cohesion |
7 |
Academic Reading Skills 1 - Assessment Task |
To maximise the value of the classroom component, please make sure that you attend class regularly and punctually, and that you participate fully in the activities.
Web-based exercises
You are expected to spend around 10 hours on web-based tasks (i.e. about 85 minutes per week). These tasks will be closely connected to the activities covered in class and will give you the opportunity to consolidate and extend your knowledge and skills.
Independent learning
You are expected to do at least 6 hours of independent learning in the Centre for Independent Language Learning (CILL). Your work in the CILL should be related to the topic of the module (i.e. academic reading skills generally).
Assessment
To complete this module satisfactorily you will need to
- do four assignments
- fulfil the web requirements
- attend class regularly and punctually (NB At least 10 hours )