ASSIGNMENT

________________________________________________________________________
HBEL3303
LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGE TEACHING
JANUARY 2015 SEMESTER
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INSTRUCTIONS TO STUDENTS
1. This assignment contains only ONE (1) question that is set in the language of the printed module for the
course.
2. Answer in English.
3. Learners are to submit assignment only in MsWord format unless specified otherwise. Please refrain from
converting text/phrases into picture format such as .gif / .jpeg / print screen / etc.
4. Download the language version of the assignment template concerned from the MyVLE for preparation
and submission of your assignment. Your assignment should be typed using 12 point Times New Roman
font and 1.5 line spacing.
5. Your assignment should be between 2500 to 3000 words excluding references. Do not copy the
assignment question and instructions to your answer. Only assignment answer developed within the
approximate word limit will be assessed. The number of words should be shown at the end of your
assignment.
6. You must submit your assignment ONLINE via the MyVLE. Refer to the portal for instructions on the
procedures to submit your assignment online. You are advised to keep a copy of your submitted
assignment and proof of the submission for personal reference.
7. You can submit your assignment ONCE only in a SINGLE file. The file must be in MS-WORD format.
Please ensure that you submit the CORRECT and latest version of file. File which is wrongly submitted
must be re-submitted online before the deadline.
8. Your assignment must be submitted between 9th 22nd March 2015. Submission after 22nd March
2015 will NOT be accepted.
9. Your assignment should be prepared individually. You should not copy another persons assignment. You
should also not plagiarise another persons work as your own.
10. Please take note that PENALTY will be imposed on late submission of assignment as specified in the
Registrars Office circular 6/2012 (Refer to Registrars Announcement in myVLE).
11. Please ensure that you keep the RECEIPT issued upon submisson of your assignment as proof of
submission. Your assignment is considered as NOT submitted if you fail to produce the submission receipt
in any dispute arises concerning assignment submission.

EVALUATION
This assignment accounts for 40% of the total marks for the course and shall be assessed
based on the Rubrics or Answer Scheme attached.
You would be given feedback on the assignment before the Final Semester Examination
commences.
PLAGIARISM: MARKS DEDUCTION
Warning: The submitted assignment will automatically undergo a similarity check. If
plagiarism is detected, marks would be deducted as follows:

Assignments with 10 - 30% overlap with others: 20% deduction from the total marks
scored.
Assignments with 31 - 50% overlap with others: 40% deduction from the total marks
scored.
Assignments with more than 50% overlap with others: Zero mark would be given.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
Languages not only differ at the basic level (sounds, words and syntax) but also at the more
complex levels (pragmatics and discourse levels particularly). Discuss the truth or falsehood
of this statement in relation to TWO languages from the Malaysian context. Support your
arguments from the languages in actual use.
To complete this assignment you need to do the following:
(a) Choose two languages from the Malaysian context. Recommended English and
one other common Malaysian language: Malay, Chinese (any of the dialects),
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

Tamil, Kadazan, Iban or any other Malaysian language.

Choose a specific speech act and examine its occurrences in both languages.
Compare your findings in the TWO languages
Do a brief literature review on the issue.
Bring your findings together in a research essay that answers the statement.

[Total: 40 marks]

Assignment Rubrics

Criteria

Weight

Knowledge of
relevant
materials and
evidence of
reading

Presentation
and structure

1.5

Understanding
of
issues/Applicati
on

Missing
Item
0
Contains very little
appropriate material or
contains numerous errors
and omissions;
Lacks evidence of
knowledge relevant to the
topic and/or significantly
misuses terminology; Is
plagiarised.
No information provided
regarding objectives of
assignment;
Unsubstantiated/invalid
conclusions based on
anecdote and
generalisation only, or no
conclusions at all;
Meaning unclear and/or
grammar and/or spelling
contain frequent errors.
Demonstrates a lack of
understanding of
theoretical material and/or
lacks application.

Weak
1
Shows only sparse
coverage of relevant
material or contains
some errors and
omissions; Limited
knowledge of topic but
some use of appropriate
terminology. Overdependence on source
material.
Has provided
generalised objectives
and focused the work on
the topic area; Limited
evidence of conclusions
supported by
theory/literature;
Meaning apparent but
language not always
fluent; Grammar and/or
spelling contain errors.
Demonstrates a basic
ability to address
theoretical
material and/or shows
limited evidence of
application.

Partially Meets
Standards
2
Uses a limited range of
source material;
Reasonable knowledge of
topic and some use of
appropriate terminology.

Meets
Standard
3
Draws on a range of
sources; Perhaps
some areas covered
in depth; Good
knowledge of topic
and use of
appropriate
terminology.

Has outlined objectives and

addressed them at the end
of the work; Some evidence
of conclusions grounded in
theory/literature;
Language mainly fluent;
Grammar and spelling
mainly accurate.

Has defined
objectives and
addressed them
through the work;
Good summary of
arguments based in
theory/
Literature Language
fluent;
Grammar and
spelling accurate.
Demonstrates the
ability to work with
theoretical
material effectively
and/or shows
evidence of
application.

Demonstrates the ability to

address theoretical
material and/or shows
evidence of application.

Exceeds
Standard
4
Breadth and depth of
reading and understanding
of relevant arguments and
issues; Perhaps
some areas covered in
depth and awareness of
provisional nature of
knowledge. Uses
appropriate terminology
consistently.
Clarity of argument and
expression; Has defined
objectives in detail and
addressed them
comprehensively;
Analytical and clear
conclusions well grounded
in literature; Fluent writing
style appropriate to type of
assignment; Grammar and
spelling accurate.
Depth of insight into
theoretical issues and/or
application to practice;
Where appropriate,
demonstrates an ability to
apply ideas to new material
or in a new context.

Max
Marks
12

12

Referencing
and
Criteria to
conforming
instructions

Conclusion

1.5
Weight

Missing
Item
Referencing is absent or
unsystematic;
Deviates significantly
from the required
parameters.

No conclusion provided.

Weak
Some attempt at
referencing;
Deviates slightly from
the required parameters.

There is no clear
conclusion, the paper
just ends.

Partially Meets
Standards
Referencing is mainly
accurate; Work has been
submitted within time
boundaries and within
prescribed parameters (e.g.
word length).
The conclusion is
recognisable, but does not
tie up introduction, content
and evaluation.

Meets
Standard
Referencing is
mainly accurate;
Work has been
submitted within
time boundaries and
within prescribed
parameters (e.g.
word length)..
The conclusion ties
up/brings together
the introduction,
content and
evaluation. Well
summarised.

Exceeds
Standard
Uses a standard referencing
system correctly and
consistently;
Work has been submitted
within time boundaries and
within prescribed
parameters (e.g. word
length).
The conclusion is strong. It
ties up/ brings together the
introduction, content and
evaluation. Well
summarised.

Max
Marks
4

TOTAL MARKS
40
NOTE: Please use one of the search engines to verify if you suspect that there has been a case of plagiarism. If your suspiscions are verified by the search, award no marks.