English Basics For University

Course Code: KB140E

Institution:

Department of Language and Linguistics

Revision:

1.1

For students admitted fall 2010   spring 2010  

Other set versions

Approval

The course was established 24 August 2009.
This course syllabus (version 1.1) was approved 04 February 2010 by the Board of Studies at the Department of International Migration and Ethnic Relations.
The syllabus is valid from 04 February 2010. Replacement for course syllabus ratified 24 August 2009.

Education level

First cycle

Course description

The aim of the course is to provide the vocabulary, reading comprehension, grammatical tools, and oral and writing skills needed to succeed in writing in English at the university.

Advancement in relation to the degree requirements

The course credits can be a part of a degree, but not as a part of English as a major subject.

Entry requirements

The special prerequisite for this course, besides basic eligibility for university studies, is fieldeligibility 6: Civics A and English B. Applicants are exempted from the Civics A requirement.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

After finishing the course, the student:
- knows the terminology of basic grammatical analysis;
- has improved their knowledge of academic writing;
- has further developed their fluency and accuracy in reading, speaking and writing;
- has developed the ability to produce effectively written documents in the academic context;
- has developed the ability to give an effective oral presentation on a general topic;
- has improved their ability to asses their own strengths and weaknesses in language and communications skills.

Skills and ability

After finishing the course, the student:
- can produce correct grammatical structures of English sentences;
- can use and understand appropriate vocabulary and terminology;
- can read and understand academic texts;
- can prepare, plan and deliver an oral presentation;
- can plan, structure, and write an outline for academic tests.

Critical skills and approach

After finishing the course, the student:
- can comprehend how a text is the result of a series of choices within a sentence’s grammatical structure, and that such choices affect the clarity of the writer’s text;
- can transfer their language and communications skills to all other areas of university course work;
- can function at a more sophisticated level of language and communication skills;
- can further develop the range, register, and appropriateness of their English at an academic level, in oral and written work.

Assessments

The forms of examination in the course are:
- written in-class grammar examinations;
- written assignments/essays;
- oral presentations.

Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-sit opportunities. Re-sits follow the same form as the original exams.

Course content

Grammar, Reading Comprehension, Academic Writing, Presentation Technic.

Learning activities

A combination of resources are available, including lectures, seminars, self-study of course literature, and computer based training in a Language Lab.

The student needs to take an active participation and personal responsibility for learning.

Grading system

Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). ECTS grading system can be used on students demand.

Reading list and other media

Hewings, Martin. Advanced Grammar in Use, with answers. Cambridge. 1999

Novins, Cheryl. The Longman Textbook Reader, 2nd Ed, with answers. Pearson Longman. 2008.

Additional material may be introduced in the course, but no more than 50 pages.

Course evaluation

Evaluation is an integral part of the course. A final written evaluation based on the learning outcomes is done at the end of the course. This evaluation is used as a starting point for an oral evaluaton which includes a discussion of measures to be taken to develop the course. The result of the evaluation is summarized and made available in a report to be used as a basis for future courses. Evaluatuion is subsequently summarized and published on the home page.

Student participation takes place through the course council.