Developing academic reading and writing English skills

This course is designed for students to learn academic reading and writing skills. Students will learn strategies to improve reading and writing skills in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency. A variety of learning activities will be provided to improve the students' reading and writing performance. Students are to read extensively, intensively, and critically, and to compose various texts. Additionally, the course will address listening and speaking skills, helping to activate the students' knowledge of English and build the confidence necessary for effective communication. The purpose is to enhance the skill of self-expression through many personalization activities as well as reviewing basic structures and vocabulary.

It is expected that students will see rapid and significant improvement in overall writing fluency. The reading lessons will place a heavy emphasis on using critical thinking to predict and anticipate meaning from context, and improve overall reading ability, whilst expanding on vocabulary. Specifically, students will learn: a) essential reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, and annotating, and b) essential writing strategies such as prewriting, drafting, revising, and proofreading. The aim of the speaking-focused classes is to develop extensive oral interaction skills.

"L1 Overview of the course and diagnostic writing
L2 Unit 1 Exploring the Essay Verbal Exploration Topic: Shopping, Cancer
L3 Unit 1 Exploring the Essay Writing: the Introduction and Outlining the body, Reading: Shopping
L4 Unit 1 Exploring the Essay Writing: the Conclusion, Reading: Cancer Risks
L5 Unit 2 Cause-Effect Essays Verbal Exploration Topic: Lying, Insomnia
L6 Unit 2 Cause-Effect Essays Writing: Connectors for Cause-Effect Essays, Reading: Lying
L7 Unit 2 Cause-Effect Essays Reading: Insomnia, Writing: Building Vocabulary
L8 Unit 2 Cause-Effect Essays Writing: A Cause-Effect Essay, Test Preparation
L9 Midterm Timed Essay
L10 Unit 3 Comparison Essays Verbal Exploration Topic: Brazil and the U.S, Parenting
L11 Unit 3 Comparison Essays Writing: Developing a Comparative Essay, Reading: Brazil and the U.S
L12 Unit 3 Comparison Essays Reading: Parenting 101, Writing: Support for Content
L13 Unit 3 Comparison Essays Writing: a Comparative Essay, Test Preparation
L14 Final Timed Essay"

A communicative language teaching (CLT) blended approach will be adopted. Lessons are delivered by powerpoint presentation along with the e-version of the main textbook, in English. All work will be submitted and returned electronically via Google classroom. The lessons will be learner-centred focusing on pair work and group work tasks. Discussions of readings and peer evaluations of essays will form part of the classes. Regarding the listening and speaking focued classes, communicative tasks, role plays, pair work and group discussions will be used to enhance the students’ speaking and listening ability, whilst constantly reviewing vocabulary.

Students must complete the graded portfolio of essays and book-based readings / activities, as well as the mid and final timed essays. Research for essays outside of class will be required. Moreover, students are expected to preview and review all materials, (including any new vocabulary), constantly, and actively participate in classroom activities.

"Class Contribution/Participation = 45%
Essays = 55%
3 Essays (10%×3) = 30%
Midterm Timed Essay = 10%
Final Timed Essay = 15%"

A minimum CASEC score of 570 in the first year

"Cengage The Great Writing Series, Fifth Edition
<Level 4 - Great Essays>
ISBN : 9780357020852"

English Communication, English Writing.

Make sure you have joined the Google Classroom online and lecture channel on Slack before the first class.

Google classroom will be used and a link provided to participating students.