Core modules: EAP, Study Skills and ICT
English for Academic Purposes
The module introduces reading techniques for academic study, the structure and function of academic writing, writing English clearly and appropriately using an adequate range of sentence structures and vocabulary, and the ability to take part in academic discussion. Students will also learn techniques for listening to lectures, taking notes, making oral presentations, summarising, paraphrasing, using dictionaries effectively, writing clearly and concisely under timed conditions and understanding graphs and diagrams. In particular, students will be introduced to a variety of academic writing modes (e.g. narrative, descriptive, argumentative) and how to present academic writing according to the correct conventions.
In the latter part of the course, students learn how to plan, write and review academic assignments; use citation and referencing appropriately; use a range of appropriate reading strategies when faced with challenging text; organise ideas and arguments in a clear and
logical manner; revise, edit and proof-read written work; participate successfully in seminars and discussions about academic topics (including the use of turn-taking, asking questions, agreeing and disagreeing); oral presentations.
Study Skills
An essential preparation for university life, this part of the course helps students to work in groups, present ideas, manage their time, conduct research, make lecture notes, organise the content of essays and understand how to evaluate their own work. Students on Business or Humanities pathways must learn how to research, prepare and write extended essays.
Students will develop confidence, knowledge and skills in the following key areas: choosing a topic; selecting source texts; organising and presenting information. These skills are included in the English for Academic Purposes module but are also embedded into all other modules of the course.
ICT (Information Communication Technologies)
Students will learn how to use word processing, spreadsheets, databases and slideware in preparing assignments and presentations, as well as using the internet, e-mail and virtual learning environment (VLE) software in support of their learning.
