Rationale

This course (together with English II) provides students with an understanding of academic English sufficient to cope successfully with the demands of studying in an Australian university. The course develops skills in speaking, and oral presentations; listening, note taking and comprehension; reading and critical thinking; paraphrasing, summarising writing cohesive and coherent texts; practice in developing primary and secondary research skills, referencing and practice in various written genres.

Learning Outcomes

1 Reading:

  • Read text for main ideas and details
  • Comprehend and answer questions on arrange of texts
  • Critically analyse facts, opinions and purpose in a variety of texts
  • Take effective notes while reading
  • Analyse the structure of texts
  • Use context to infer the meaning of new vocabulary while reading
  • Use a variety of sources to obtain information

2 Listening:

  • Listen for main ideas and details including numbers and key words
  • Listen for sign posts and use structure to understand the meaning and purpose of a text
  • Take effective notes while listening
  • Listen for specific language features eg: word forms or stress
  • Understand instructions given orally
  • Follow a group discussion in order to participate actively

3 Writing:

  • Understand the difference between informal and academic writing styles
  • Compose text for a range of purposes and audiences
  • Write a cohesive paragraph

4 Speaking:

  • Actively participate in group and class discussions
  • Explain concepts and ideas to others
  • Use appropriate intonations and stress to convey meaning
  • Identify and practice pronunciation of sounds and stress patterns in words and sentences

5 Vocabulary and Grammar:

  • Use a range of sentence types (eg: a mix of complex, compound and simple
  • sentences)
  • Use a range of tense forms accurately
  • Use academic style
  • Attempt to use less common and learned vocabulary
  • Use the self-correction code to identify and reduce language errors

Graduate Attributes and Employability Skills

  • Independent, self-directed and lifelong learners, reflective in their practice.

  • Able to work collaboratively within and across teams.

  • Culturally and socially aware with the capacity to apply their knowledge in local, national and international contexts.

Assessment

NoTypeWeightingAssessment dueSubject learning outcomes to be assessed
1Individual Assignments45.00%Week 5, 6, 9, 11, 12 & Exam Week/sa, b, c, d & e
2Mid-Term Exam10.00%Week 6a & b
3Final Exam45.00%Exam Week/sa, b, c & e