Graduate Diploma English for Academic Purposes

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  • Objectives
    This course aims to enable students to: develop and acquire the productive and receptive language and study skills needed for successful participation at graduate level in a British university. These include both linguistic and communicative competence, oral skills, academic writing, reading efficiency and the ability to work independently; develop an understanding of critical thinking, including how to construct coherent arguments and enhance reflexivity skills; practise and develop the basic research skills and understanding of research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, by providing students with a theoretical understanding and practical experience of these methods; understand both the ethical issues and the nature of objectivity in research; provide an overview of current theories and issues in intercultural communication; introduce students to a variety of cross-cultural negotiation skills and strategies; to provide a clear overview of Britain, its people, institutions and culture; to provide a foundation for Masters level study.
  • Entry requirements
    Entry Qualifications IELTS 5/TOEFL500/173/61 or equivalent + relevant first degree (minimum 2:2) or equivalent
  • Academic title
    Graduate Diploma English for Academic Purposes
  • Course description

    Course Description
    This Graduate Diploma provides a bridge between undergraduate and postgraduate study. Students will typically have completed three years of higher education but still need further academic study before they can begin their chosen Masters course. The Diploma is comprised of three elements: subject-specific study; research methods; and English for Academic Purposes.

    Modules and Options

    The lists of modules below represent the range of options available for each year of study. This may not be a complete list of the options you will study, and may be subject to change, so please contact the department for further details.

    Stage 1

        Core: BRITISH SOCIETY AND CULTURE
        Core: CRITICAL THINKING
        Core: ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP) 1
        Core:
    ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP) 2
        Core: ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP) 3

        Core: INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
        Core: RESEARCH METHODS

    Teaching and Assessment Methods


    A: Knowledge and Understanding
        Learning Outcomes
        A1 : Improve language accuracy and fluency to B2 level
        A2 : Recognise and use appropriate lexical and discourse structures
        A3 : Understand the concept and importance of critical thinking in an academic context
        A4 : Practise a range of basic research skills and understand research methods, both quantitative and qualitative
        A5 : Understand the concepts relating to intercultural adaptation and cross-cultural communication
        A6 : Develop an awareness of Britain, its people, institutions and culture

        Teaching Methods
        All modules are taught through informal lectures, seminar discussions, tutorials and student presentations, with both peer and tutor feedback.

        EL935 and EL938 give students the opportunity to lead sessions and discuss their own areas of research interest.

        Wherever possible, input in the EAP modules will be based on material provided by academic module teachers, and some classes may be team-taught.

        Assessment Methods
        Assessment will be based on class presentations, written assignments and examinations.

        Assessment tests both basic understanding of concepts and issues and a range of approaches and interpretations.

        A1 is assessed in all modules via either short or extended written assignments or through vivas and presentations.

        A2 - A4 outcomes are assessed via extended projects in EL933, EL935, EL937 and EL938. These are designed to examine students' ability to produce an extended piece of writing which demonstrates the ability to present a coherent argument based on a range of sources drawn from key texts in the target academic discipline.

        A5 and A6 are assessed by means of the coursework requirements of EL937 and EL938.

    B: Intellectual/Cognitive Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        B1 : Use language accurately and appropriately, using a variety of lexis, grammatical structure and communication strategies
        B2 : Demonstrate an awareness of language and discourse structures
        B3 : Synthesise information from a variety of sources with appropriate acknowledgement and integrate this into presentations or written work
        B4 : Evaluate and interpret qualitative and quantitative data as appropriate
        B5 : Create a structured argument based on appropriate research methods
        B6 : Show a grasp of the philosophical bases of a critical approach to study and apply these to their studies
        B7 : Develop the ability to be reflective, independent learners and to organise their time in an efficient and effective manner
        B8 : Demonstrate a critical understanding of major concepts relating to intercultural communication and British society and culture

        Teaching Methods
        Intellectual/cognitive skills B1 - B8 are practised in discussion and presentations, as well as through assessed written work. Students are given advice in tutorials on research skills and have the opportunity to analyse model assignments. The ability to develop a coherent argument, supported by evidence, is practised in group discussion and is also a requirement of all assessed written work.

        All of these skills are taught and re-enforced continually by a variety of methods - classes involving pair and group work, individual tutorials, taped lectures, student-led workshops. Input ranges from print to audio and video materials. Students also use interactive web-based teaching materials. Oral presentations are video recorded and students are given group and individual feedback, from peers and tutors.

        B5 - B7 are addressed explicitly in classes and included in oral or written feedback.

        Assessment Methods
        B1 and B2 are assessed in every module.

        B3 is assessed in EL931, EL932, EL933, EL937 and EL938.

        B5 is assessed in EL931 and EL932 by two end of module examinations on knowledge of grammatical structures, listening and note-taking, and there is an integrated English for Academic Purposes skills examination covering reading, vocabulary and writing. B5 is also indirectly assessed in EL933, EL935, EL937 and EL938.

        Coursework for the portfolio in EL931 and EL932 also requires demonstration of learning outcomes B1 - B5.

        B1 - B8 outcomes are assessed via extended research projects in EL933 and EL935. These are designed to examine students' ability to produce an extended piece of writing which presents a coherent argument based on a range of sources drawn from key texts in the target academic discipline.

        B6 is assessed in EL934.

        B7 is indirectly assessed in all modules.

        B8 is assessed by means of the coursework of EL937 and EL938.

    C: Practical Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        C1 : Demonstrate a range of academic skills, including effective note-taking, accurate listening skills and active participation in class discussion
        C2 : Find relevant information from a variety of sources including books, journals and the Web
        C3 : Read and evaluate sources critically and offer views based on evidence
        C4 : Present an argument in oral presentations and by planning, drafting and revising written assignments in an appropriate style, referenced according to academic conventions

        Teaching Methods
        C1
        EL931-3: students practise these skills using audio and video materials. They are also expected to make notes during classmates' presentations. They are then required to write up a selection of these notes at a later date, to check their accuracy and effectiveness.

        The teaching materials and methodology place great emphasis on pair and group work and student participation - this is explicitly addressed in tutors' reports and students are encouraged to discuss these reports in tutorials.

        All these skills are also practised directly and indirectly in EL934, EL935, EL937 and EL938.

        C2 &C3
        EL932, EL937 and EL938: students select texts from a variety of sources for class discussion - these texts are then read for content and also critically evaluated for the quality and reliability of the evidence they contain and the structure of their argument. There is also some analysis of the varying requirements of specific academic genres.

        All these skills are practised directly and indirectly in all other course modules.

        C4
        EL933 preparation for project work in plenary sessions and in 1:1 tutorials and feedback on process, editing and drafting

        All of these skills are also practised, both directly and indirectly, in all other course modules.

        Assessment Methods
        C1 - C4 are directly or indirectly assessed on all modules. Assessment is based on a mixture of oral and written assignments which test the students' ability to implement these skills effectively.

    D: Key Skills
        Learning Outcomes
        D1 : A fundamental and explicit aim of the programme is effective communication in English; orally, through class participation and presentations, in writing and in critical reading
        D2 : Students perform a variety of word-processing operations and use the Internet for research. Students use PowerPoint for presentations. They also communicate with tutors by email e.g. sending drafts of work as attachments
        D3 : Making and interpreting graphs and tables, for presentations and for written assignments
        D4 : Identification and evaluation of various source materials, analysis of tasks and working out objectives and priorities
        D5 : Pair and group work are an integral part of the programme, and peer evaluation is also built in. There are opportunities for group projects in some subject modules
        D6 : Students are encouraged to keep both learner diaries and records of their own learning and to work independently, showing organisation and time management and an ability to respond constructively to feedback

        Teaching Methods
        Addressed in all EL modules

        D1
        There is a continuous emphasis on effective communication. Awareness of audience and appropriate linguistic and discourse choices is a focus of all work, especially in writing.

        D2
        Students are trained in the use of PowerPoint for presentations and in using the Internet for research purposes.

        D3
        There are EAP classes which introduce the interpretation of tables and students use graphic materials in and assignments where appropriate and some tasks are based on problem-solving e.g. through the use of case studies. These skills are also used in EL935.

        D4 & D5
        In all classes students are expected to work in pairs and groups on a variety of information- and opinion-gap tasks and analysis of texts. In presentations students give and receive peer feedback, both oral and written. Students are encouraged to reflect on their learning, especially in individual tutorials. Reflective tasks are also part of the portfolio requirement.

        Assessment Methods
        D1 - D6 are assessed as an integral part of class work and assignments.

        EL modules: Students are required to word-process their work and to use PowerPoint for oral presentations. Peer evaluation and feedback are also an important part of the informal assessment of students' performance.

        D6: EL931 - EL933 include reflective tasks in the portfolio of assessed work.

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