Module Information

Module Identifier
IC00340
Module Title
Language, Culture and Communication
Academic Year
2017/2018
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
IELTS 4.5 with no lower score than 4.0 in any one language skill area
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Exam  End of module exam – 120 minutes  50%
Semester Assessment Progress Assessments  Progress tests – grammar & vocab  50%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

Use basic structures and vocabulary to talk and write about familiar everyday topics and perform essential functions (such as making enquiries) with confidence

Exchange, check and confirm information and deal with less routine situations and explain why something is a problem both orally and in writing

Express and comprehend opinions about more abstract cultural topics such as films, books, music etc

Discuss and compare basic information on the political and social institutions of the UK including governance and democratic processes

Discuss and compare UK study and work cultural norms

Identify formal and informal register in a range of reading texts.

Understand everyday speech, monologues/dialogues giving descriptions and expressing opinions.

Understand formal and informal everyday English and their differences when listening to conversations.

Brief description

Language, Culture and Communication, is one of 3 core English language skill development modules that make up the 20 hours of study per week of the IFC Block 1 course.
This module will encourage the students to progress with their general English language skills and independent learner study skills needed for successful study at AU.
This module will prepare students for the IFC Block 2 modules which will extend and consolidate the language skills developed in Block 1.

Aims

1. To develop and strengthen students’ general language skills – reading, writing, listening and speaking (skills development) and communicative competence
2. To develop and strengthen students’ grammar and vocabulary skills and knowledge (language input)
3. To develop and strengthen students’ awareness of UK work and study cultural norms
4. To give practice in the independent learner study skills required to function effectively in a higher education learning environment

Content

Due to the nature of each IFC cohort of students, the IFC course will need to be flexible and responsive to students’ needs. It is a student centred syllabus.The outline below is indicative of the skills that this module will cover.

Week 1,2,3,4 Course Introduction

Integrated skills development at CEFR B1 level
Grammar focus at CEFR B1 level
Culture topics including: gender, education, political, business, art, crime, sport and technology issues etc

Week 5,6,7,8
Integrated skills development at CEFR B1 level
Grammar focus at CEFR B1 level
Culture topics including: gender, education, political, business, art, crime, sport and technology issues etc

Week 9, 10,11,12
Integrated skills development at CEFR B1 level
Grammar focus at CEFR B1 level
Culture topics including: gender, education, political, business, art, crime, sport and technology issues etc
Revision and exam preparation

Module assessment
Week 13,14,15 Module feedback & individual tutorial support
Review and recap on language culture and communication skills & strategies covered in this module
Individual student targets to identified & discussed for development in Block 2

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number
Communication This module develops communication and literacy skills through presentations and vocabulary extension activities
Improving own Learning and Performance This module incorporates targeted individual learning tutorials to encourage students to assess and analyze their own learning and performance.
Information Technology The multimedia language laboratory will develop students’ ability to use listening & pronunciation software to improve their language skills. It will provide an engaging and interactive learning environment. Students will also be encouraged to search the web for sources of information and use presentation software for the presentations.
Personal Development and Career planning
Problem solving Developing language sub skills involves problem solving to find and record the key information required to comprehend texts
Research skills This module will involve students actively and independently researching topics for presentations
Subject Specific Skills Academic English study skills
Team work This module involves students working in pairs and teams to develop their listening and presentation skills

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 3