IL1PIALS1N: Integrated Academic Language Skills 1

Module code: IL1PIALS1N

Module provider: International Study and Language Institute

Credits: 0

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Mr James Wylie, email: j.wylie@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Miss Victoria Collins, email: v.collins@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 21 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module is a component of the Pre-sessional English programme (PSE), which is designed to support students who either do not meet the English language requirements for their chosen degree programme or who wish to gain a better understanding of the academic language and literacy  practices for university study. Students will study general academic topics aligned with the research themes of the university to develop their language competence in all four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. 

The module prepares students for entry onto the next part of the Pre-sessional English Programme (PSE),  IL1PIALS2N: Integrated Academic Language Skills 2

The final six weeks of the PSE consist of the exit modules, Integrated Academic Language Skills 4 (IL1PIALS4N) and Academic Practices and Genres (IL1PAPGPN/IL1PAPGUN), which summatively assess students' readiness to start their degree programmes.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. Write a source-based academic cause and effect essay, demonstrating clear and logical organisation of ideas into paragraphs and sections
2. Draw on a wide range of grammatical structures and vocabulary to express complex ideas with reasonable fluency and accuracy
3. Convey and evaluate ideas from reading into writing utilising appropriate paraphrasing and summarising skills
4. Explain and develop ideas about academic issues and texts through effective participation in an organised discussion about a specific topic they have been studying
5. Acknowledge sources accurately within texts produced, using appropriate in-text and end-of-text citation methods

Module content

The module will help students to acquire the skills and knowledge to engage effectively with spoken and written tasks common to university study through:

• Analysing the purpose, stages and key features of the spoken and written coursework genres
• Selecting information from spoken and written texts relevant to the purpose of the tasks
• Practice of language to achieve a good control of grammatical forms, appropriate use of vocabulary for the context of the genre and topic, and a generally appropriate level of intelligibility

The module will also focus on developing key academic skills such as:

• Using peer and tutor feedback to identify areas for improvement
• Collaborating and participating appropriately in group work and managing group tasks effectively
• Exercising autonomy and initiative in time management for coursework tasks
• Reflecting on the skills and language needed to continue developing
• Becoming a confident user of the university’s VLE (Blackboard), submission and assessment tools (e.g. Feedback Studio), and other learning technologies (e.g. Microsoft 365)

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will take a task-based, contextualised approach which integrates practice and development of receptive (listening, reading) and productive (speaking, writing) academic English communication skills around general academic topics.

The module will adopt an overall ‘genre’ approach, taking the social purpose of texts as the starting point to analyse the organisation/structure and key language features.

The module consists of daily interactive classes, and guided independent study tasks. Guided Independent tasks are completed without a teacher. The tasks include preparation for the next class or a review of material taught. 

Study hours

At least 90 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

There is no assessment on this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

There is no assessment on this module.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

There are two formative assessments in Week 5 of the module: an individual essay and a group discussion.

Reassessment

Additional costs