Carnegie Faculty

Academic English & Study Skills

classes for
International Students



Information Booklet
2012-2013
Semester 1


Times for weekly courses are provisional on numbers enrolIing.


Contact us at Macaulay Hall reception, Headingley campus
tel 0113 8127440
email elt@leedsmet.ac.uk

www.leedsmet.ac.uk/elt/courses/ecis

This programme was formerly known as ECIS

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Introduction

Welcome to Leeds Metropolitan University!

This booklet will give you detailed information about our in-sessional Academic English and
Study Skills course for international students studying at the university, which aims to help
you to improve your level of general and academic English and adapt to life in the UK and at
a British university.

All international and EU students enrolled on a full-time programme of study within the
university have the opportunity to benefit from these English language courses which will
not only enhance your academic performance but may even also aid your future career
development.

The university aims to offer a complete international student welfare service to ensure that
all international students are given all the support they may require, be it of an academic,
practical or social nature. International Student Adviser, Karen Griffith, is available to help
you to solve all kinds of welfare issues and our Social Organiser will give you opportunities
to meet students of other nationalities and visit the countryside, towns and cities near to
Leeds.


Contents

Introduction ..
Contents
General information
Credits ..
Fees (per module) .
Languages Resource Area ..
How to Apply ...
Class dates and times ...
Indicative mini-course content .
Indicative reading list
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What is the Academic English & Study Skills programme?
The Academic English & Study Skills classes consist of mini-courses which you can choose
from according to your individual needs and interests. These in-sessional English courses
offer you as an international student support with the academic style of English and study
skills you will need to study in higher education in Britain. They will also help you adapt to
the British university system and general life in Britain. They provide on-going language
support for both undergraduates and postgraduates. Academic English & Study Skills is the
new name for the programme formerly called ECIS.



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Who is the Academic English & Study Skills programme for?
The course is available for all Leeds Met students whose first language is not English (both
undergraduates and postgraduates) as well as non-Leeds Met students who are interested
in developing their Academic English skills.

When does the course start?
The weekly courses start in Week 3 of each semester and are offered over 8 weeks. Each
weekly mini-course is of two hours duration per week over a total of four weeks (8 hours of
class altogether). Some of the courses are also offered as intensive mini-courses taught
over one day only, on Saturdays. Shorter versions of some courses (3 hours) are also
available on some Saturdays.

Which academic areas are covered in the course?
The course is divided into mini-courses so that you can focus on your own individual
weaknesses and interests. Mini-courses are offered in the following areas:

Writing References and Bibliographies
Essay and Report Writing
Effective Reading
Listening to Lectures

Presentation and Seminar Skills
Understanding your Assessments
Dissertation Writing
How to Succeed at University in Britain

If you are enrolled on the programme, you are additionally entitled to take part in the
bookable 1-to-1 tutorials designed to give you individual help and attention.

Where are the classes held?
Weekly mini-courses are offered at Headingley Campus. Intensive Saturday courses are
held at City Campus.

How many students will there be in each class?
Each mini-course will contain a maximum of 25 students per class.

Will I need to buy a course book?
No course book is used. Materials are selected by the tutor to meet the specific needs and
interests of the students in each class.

When are the mini-courses held?
The mini-course timetable for semester 1 is shown on page 5.
1
Academic English & Study
Skills courses (ECIS) also run in semester 2 but you do not need to reserve your place yet.
Semester 2s mini-course options will become available towards the end of the first
semester.

How many mini-courses can I enrol onto?
All full-time international students (non-European Union) are entitled to attend up to four
mini-courses per semester (i.e. a total of 8 mini-courses over the academic year) at no extra
charge. However, you may prefer to attend only four mini-courses altogether, either all in
the same semester or two mini-courses in semester 1 and another two in semester 2.
European Union and Erasmus or other exchange students can also attend up to four mini-
courses per semester, but are required to pay a reduced, subsidised fee.

1
Subject to demand.
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What if I need some individual help?
If you are enrolled on the mini-courses, you are entitled to attend our 15-minute 1-1
Tutorials. These will be held at Headingley Campus on Wednesdays from 16.00-17.00. Feel
free to just drop in, but you could also book a slot in advance with the tutor. The tutorials run
on the same weeks as the mini-courses.

The Languages Resource Area

The Languages Resource Area is located on the ground floor of Headingley Campus
Library, and has a wide range of English as a Foreign Language materials at all levels. It
also contains materials to practise the majority of the other 20+ languages which are taught
within the university.

The materials include books, audio and video material, CD-ROMs and text-based software,
plus off-air recorded materials (TV and radio programmes). The language resources are
constantly being updated through purchase of new published materials and materials
produced at Leeds Met. The Languages Resource Area equipment includes satellite TV,
video, audio positions, internet access, multi-media computers and CD-ROMs

The Languages Resource Area is closely managed by Mike Forshaw, a full-time Language
Learning Adviser, who is also an experienced language teacher. Mike can advise you on
which materials are best suited to you, and show you how to use them. He can also help
you if you have any technical problems.

Credits

For most students, the Academic English & Study Skills programme is not assessed and is
not credit-bearing. However, all students who complete this as part of their main programme
of study will be subject to the appropriate assessment and each module will gain 15 credits
at level 1. A certificate of attendance will be given to students attending 100% of any mini-
courses upon request.

Fees (per module)

One module = up to 4 mini-courses Two modules = 5-8 mini-courses
Non-EU students studying full-time at Leeds Met: No extra fee
EU / Erasmus and other exchange students: 130 (to be confirmed)

How do I apply?

Fill in an Academic English & Study Skills (ECIS) application form available from the
reception in Macaulay Hall building on 0113 8127440 or elt@leedsmet.ac.uk. Alternatively,
you can call in at reception, Macaulay Hall on the Headingley Campus.

Please check www.leedsmet.ac.uk/elt/courses/ecis regularly for updated information about
the classes.




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Headingley Campus Block 1 3 October 24 October
Mini-Course Class Time Room*
Writing
References and
Bibliographies
Wednesdays
14.00-16.00
Macaulay Hall
MC G11


Headingley Campus Block 2 31 October 21 November
Mini-Course Class Time Room*
Essay and Report
Writing
Wednesdays
14.00-16.00
Macaulay Hall
MC G11

Headingley Campus Blocks 1 and 2 3 October - 21 November
1-1 Tutorial Class Time Room*
make an
appointment /
drop in
Wednesdays
16.00-17.00
Macaulay Hall
MC G11
to make an appointment, e-mail e.poynter@leedsmet.ac.uk

Saturday Mini-Courses`(City Campus)
Mini-Course Date & Time Room
Listening to
Lectures
Saturday 6 October
9.30-12.30
CQ CHC 211
(Cloth Hall Court)
Effective Reading

Saturday 6 October
13.30-16.30

CQ CHC 211
(Cloth Hall Court)
Understanding
your Assessments

Saturday 20 October
9.30-12.30
CQ CHC 211
(Cloth Hall Court)
Writing References
and Bibliographies
Saturday 20 October
13.30-16.30

CQ CHC 211
(Cloth Hall Court)
Dissertation
Writing
Saturday 3 November
9.30-12.30
continuing 13.30-16.30
CQ PD 210
(Portland building)
Essay and Report
Writing
Saturday 17 November
9.30-12.30
continuing 13.30-16.30
CQ PD 210
(Portland building)
Dissertation
Writing
Saturday 1 December
9.30-12.30

CQ PD 210
(Portland building)
Writing References
and Bibliographies
Saturday 1 December
13.30-16.30

CQ PD 210
(Portland building)
* Please check the room numbers with reception in Macaulay Hall, the notice-board in Macaulay Hall
or the website www.leedsmet.ac.uk/elt/courses/ecis.



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Mini-Course Indicative Content



Essay and Report Writing Effective Reading

What is a report / essay / project?
Structure of each
The essay writing process
Tackling essay questions
Using your own judgement
Using bullet points
Hedging (expressing uncertainty)
Planning and drafting assignments
The title, deadlines and brainstorming
Introductions and Conclusions
Text organisation
Coherence and cohesion (linking
phrases, discourse markers etc.)
Levels of formality
Academic writing conventions
Punctuation
Editing, proofreading and error correction


The effective reader
Reading speed
Skimming and scanning
Taking notes from books ie distinguishing
main and minor points
Avoiding plagiarism
Summarising
Coping with extended reading
Reading Strategies
SQ3R strategy
Making use of topic sentences
Dealing with unknown words
Reading for detail





Listening to lectures Presentation and Seminar Skills

Spoken versus written English
Preparing to listen
Understanding overall meaning
Taking notes from lectures
Listening to the introduction
Identifying key points
Signposting expressions in lectures
Noting precise information
The importance of not merely
regurgitating lecture notes in exams
Accents

Giving mini talks
Presentation Skills
Seminar Skills
Acceptable behaviour in
seminars/presentations e.g. listening in
silence, joining in the ensuing discussion,
asking questions
Debates e.g. 'Everyone should live
abroad for one year'.
Defending an argument
Interrupting
Expressing an opinion



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Dissertation Writing Writing References and
Bibliographies

What is a dissertation?
The dissertation writing process
Structure of each chapter
Introduction and conclusion
Abstract
References and Bibliography
Hedging (expressing uncertainty)
Questionnaires
Interviews
Role of the dissertation supervisor


References and bibliographies
Creating references for a topic
What is plagiarism?
Why shouldnt students plagiarise?
Plagiarism, collusion and cheating
The consequences of plagiarising
Techniques for avoiding plagiarism
Effective note-taking from books





Understanding your Assessments

University assessment
aims and purpose
Understanding: learning outcomes
marking criteria
assignment briefs
your marks
tutor feedback
academic conventions
e.g. referencing


Types of university assessment
Analysing tasks
Planning and carrying out assignments
Critical reading and writing
Effective argument
Academic word list




How to Succeed at University in Britain

What is independent learning? How can I become an independent learner?
Organising and planning your learning
Time management
Searching for and evaluating information
The skill of reflection
Evaluative (critical) thinking
Working in teams and groups How can I contribute to a group mark?


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Indicative Reading List

Anderson, K, Maclean, J. & Lynch, T. (2004) Study speaking: a course in spoken English for academic purposes.
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Biggam, J. (2011) Succeeding with your master's dissertation: a step-by-step handbook. 2
nd
ed. Maidenhead,
Oxford University Press.

Brandt, C. (2009) Read, research and write: academic skills for ESL students in higher education. London, Sage.

Cottrell, S. (2008) The study skills handbook. 3
rd
ed. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan.

Cottrell, S. (2005) Critical thinking skills: developing effective analysis and argument. Basingstoke, Palgrave
Macmillan.

Dawson, C. (2011) The complete study skills guide: a practical guide for all students who want to know how to
learn. Oxford, How To Books.

Espeseth, M. (2004) Academic listening encounters : human behaviour: listening, note taking, discussion.
Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

Hamp-Lyons, L. (2006) Study writing: a course in writing skills for academic purposes. 2
nd
ed. Cambridge, Cambridge
University Press.

Leeds Metropolitan University (2011) Skills for Learning [Internet], Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan University. Available from:
<http://skillsforlearning.leedsmet.ac.uk/index.shtml> [Accessed 12 September 2011].

Lewis, M.& Reinders, H. (2003) Study skills for speakers of English as a second language. Basingstoke : Palgrave
Macmillan.

Lynch, T. (2004) Study listening: a course in listening to lectures and note-taking. Cambridge, Cambridge University
Press.

McCarthy, M & ODell, F. (2008) Academic vocabulary in use. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.

McCormack, J. (2007) English for academic study: extended writing and research skills. Reading, Garnet.

Newman, Roland (1989) Study & research : a systematic approach for all students, how to prepare, write, and
successfully complete an essay, a research paper, dissertation or thesis. Oxford, Bookmarque.

Oxford University Press (2007) Oxford student's dictionary: for learners using English to study other subjects.
Oxford, Oxford University Press.

Pallant, A. (2004) English for Academic Study: Writing. Reading, Garnet Education.

Slaght, J. & Harben, P. (2004) English for Academic Study: Reading. Reading, Garnet Education.

Thomas, B.J. (1995) Advanced vocabulary and idiom. 2nd ed. Harlow, Longman.
UKCISA (n.d.) Learning activities to prepare you for study in the UK. [Internet], Southampton, University of
Southampton / UKCISA. Available from: <www.prepareforsuccess.org.uk> [Accessed 9 September 2011].

Wallace, M. (2011) Critical reading and writing for postgraduates. 2
nd
ed. London, Sage.

Waters, M & Waters, A. (1996) Study Tasks in English. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.