Units
Academic English 1
Unit code: QCF112
Contact hours: 6 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit is designed to help students communicate successfully in a variety of situations. This includes the fundamentals of oral and written communication set within the context of a number of academic situations. This will include effective listening skills, knowledge of how to conduct a seminar, the gathering of information from a variety of sources and its organisation for specific purposes, the various writing genres and the correct use of conventions in the English language.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 13TP1 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP2 | Yes |
| 2013 13TP3 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - 13 Week Teaching Period - 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
This is an introductory unit in academic English for international students. Study of the unit will provide students with foundation skills necessary for success at an Australian university. The unit focuses on enhancing listening and speaking skills and the productive skills of reading and writing in an academic context.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to help students develop and practice the skills required for proficient oral and written communication in a university environment.
Objectives
On completion of this unit students will be able to:
- Demonstrate the skills of critical and analytical reading (FGC1, FGC4).
- Create a variety of academic written genres (FGC1, FGC3).
- Display effective oral communication through seminar presentations and contributions to group discussion (FGC1, FGC5).
- Develop efficient listening through participation in seminars and note taking activities (FGC1).
Key: Foundation Graduate Capabilities
FGC 1: Effective communication in a variety of contexts and modes
FGC 2: Knowledge pertinent to a range of subject areas
FGC 3: Skills appropriate to a range of subject areas at the level of entry to the degree
FGC 4: Critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem solving for academic and real world contexts
FGC 5: The ability to work independently and collaboratively
FGC 6: Social and ethical responsibility
Content
Weekly Topics:
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit consists of 6 hours of class contact per week, which include a combination of listening, speaking, reading and writing activities. The unit will involve tutorials and discussion. A variety of resources will be used.
In order to succeed in this subject, you are expected to attend all classes, to participate actively in class discussions, to complete all homework and submit all set assessment tasks by the due date.
Late Assignment Policy
Students will be penalised for the late submission of assignments. Refer to the Foundation Course Guide for details.
Review Of Grades Or Academic Rulings
For rules on how to apply for a review of grade, refer to the Foundation Course Guide.
Consultation
The teacher will be available for consultation from Week 2. Times will be advised in class and will also be displayed in a schedule at Reception.
Exam Timetable
The exam timetable will be displayed on the Noticeboard on Level 3 by Week 11.
Assessment
Types of assessment:
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is used to provide feedback to students to assist with their progress, and does not count towards final grade. Formative feedback is continuous. For full details of formative assessments, refer to the Week 1 document.
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment is any assessment item which is included in the calculation of your grade for this subject. For full details of summative assessment, refer to the Week 1 document.
This unit may require students to submit their assessment items through SafeAssign.
Please refer to the Week 1 document for this unit.
Assessment name:
Writing/Reading Project
Description:
PART A: Reading and Notetaking - Weight 10%
PART B: Academic Research Essay - Weight 10%
PART C: End Semester Exam - Weight 30%
Relates to objectives:
1 and 2
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Weeks 5, 10 & 14
Assessment name:
Research Seminar/Discussion
Relates to objectives:
3
Weight:
30%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 12
Assessment name:
Listening & Notetaking Exam
Relates to objectives:
4
Weight:
20%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 13
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Texts
- Oshima, A. and A. Hogue. 2006. Writing Academic English. 4th ed. Sydney: Addison-Wesley.
References
Please refer to the Blackboard Site for further information.Risk assessment statement
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 14-Mar-2013
