Course Catalogue

View Specification Document | Reading List

This course develops English language communication skills in order to support academically and professionally orientated postgraduate (taught) students in the Adam Smith Business School. There is an emphasis on developing reading-into-seminar discussion skills, language and strategies by integrating selected texts from students' programmes, reflection, collaboration and peer work. Additionally, the course develops professional language with a focus on structuring responses in interview contexts to support future employability. 

The course runs for 10 weeks in Semester 1. There are multiple seminar groups (12 to 14). Each seminar group has two 1-hour sessions per week.

Overall IELTS 6.5 or language proficiency at this level, with no sub-test less than 6.

None

None

On-going assessment of in-class speaking skills - Speaking skills and language demonstrated during weekly practice classes (individual mark) - 30%

In-class assessment of speaking skills - 2 x 8min (approx.) individual contributions to a larger group (3 to 4 students) speaking event (35% and 35%, individual mark) - 70%

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. Where, exceptionally, reassessment on Honours courses is required to satisfy professional/accreditation requirements, only the overall course grade achieved at the first attempt will contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The reflective writing portfolio (30%) cannot be reassessed because reflections are connected to learning cycles associated with out-of-class preparation and in-class practice. The group nature of the oral assessment: academic discussion assessment (25%), interview role play assessment (25%), and on-going spoken assessment (20%) prevent reassessment.

This course aims to:

■ develop English language proficiency in order to participate more fully on business related Masters programmes and improve employability 

■ develop strategic reading skills and raise awareness and knowledge of academic text organisation & patterns 

■ provide structured opportunities to develop spoken English language proficiency and skills so students can interact effectively and respond in a structured manner to specific academic tasks/questions 

■ support collaborative group work in English 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ use a variety of reading strategies to efficiently negotiate academic texts  

■ communicate effectively and appropriately across a defined range of spoken contexts 

■ respond in a structured manner to specific tasks/questions 

■ work autonomously and collaboratively in English in order to prepare effectively for, and therefore contribute to, course related tasks 

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.