Course Title: English for Engineering and Scientific Academic Purposes

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: English for Engineering and Scientific Academic Purposes

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

LANG1211

City Campus

Undergraduate

120H Civil, Environ & Chemical Eng

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012

Course Coordinator: Margaret Jollands

Course Coordinator Phone: 03 9925 2089

Course Coordinator Email:Margaret.jollands@RMIT.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 7.2.06

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment (send email)


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Knowledge of the English language.


Course Description

This course develops the academic English skills of international and local students who have a language background other than English, and who need to apply these skills to applied science and engineering contexts.

Students need effective study and language learning strategies in order to develop confidence and achieve success in their studies. The course has been designed for students in the first or second year of their studies.

It is offered as a student elective.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course concentrates on capability development in Communication - reading, writing, speaking and listening. It also addresses capability in Information processing through study of particular texts.


On completing this course, you will have developed your ability to:
• analyse the conventions and requirements of different forms of academic writing
• synthesise information from multiple sources into a coherent position
• communicate ideas clearly, concisely and effectively in writing, using appropriate grammar, format and referencing
• evaluate the impact of language choices in a range of contexts
• read academic texts with critical awareness
• present information with fluency, accuracy and appropriate pronunciation, intonation and stress
• listen actively to others, responding appropriately and seeking clarification where necessary.


Overview of Learning Activities

This subject will take a student-centred approach, building on your prior knowledge and language abilities. Language learning will be contextualised within your academic discipline and linked to the theme of cross-cultural communication and topics that are relevant to your current studies and future profession.

The course will take a student-centred approach throughout. This means that you will participate in group, individual and class activities to consolidate understanding of content and to apply that content to negotiated assessment tasks that will require the application of both English language and study skills.
Learning tasks can include:
• self-analysis
• class and home-based writing activities
• group discussion and team work
• class presentation
• peer feedback
• keeping a reflective journal
• formal and informal research and writing
• negotiation of needs and interests


Overview of Learning Resources

A range of resources will be available through the LSU website. Actual science and engineering texts from your program will also be used for language study purposes.


Overview of Assessment

The assessment tasks are designed to provide for continuous feedback, so that you will have a clear idea of your own progress. Each task is based on class work and will have been previously demonstrated to you. Tasks are intended to promote reflection, both on your learning in the course and on using the four key skills of language (reading, writing, speaking, listening) in a range of contexts.

The elective will be used across a broad range of academic disciplines and appropriate assessment tasks will need to be negotiated to match the students’ other studies in the semester. Examples include class presentations, laboratory and project reports, research assignments, etc.

Appropriate with the learning objectives, successful completion of this course will gain a pass grade only, with no higher grades available, therefore not impacting on a your grade point average.