PGS Level-1 Academic English Course Outline

Summer 2021

Overview
Pre-Graduate Study (PGS) is a program designed for students planning to enter MA Leadership
and MBA programs requiring an IELTS 7.0 English language proficiency at TWU. PGS Level-1
is delivered with the combination of language and university credit course studies, and the
credits gained can be transferred to undergraduate studies at TWU. Language learning in this
program will help students develop skills necessary in graduate studies, and expand their
knowledge of English in specific content areas.

PGS-1 Academic English Class offers 12 hours of classroom teaching and 3 hours of compulsory
learning support each week.

To be admissible into the TWU graduate programs (MA Leadership and MBA programs) that
require an IELTS 7.0, students have to pass both the language learning section and achieve a
minimum of B in GPA (average) of the two credit courses. Failure in any part of the learning
will lead to the repeat of TLC language learning and TWU credit courses.

Course Time & Location (Vancouver time)

Teaching: Zoom Meeting ID 222 975 5201 (PW: 843584)
- Mondays & Wednesdays: 3 - 7 pm, Fridays: 1 - 5 pm by Amir Amali
Support: Zoom Meeting ID 878 529 4876
- Mondays, 7:30 - 9:00 pm by Lily Li
- Tuesdays, 4:30 - 6:00 pm by Lily Li

Exam Times & Location (Vancouver time)

Mid-term Projects: Weeks 6-10
Final Examination: Monday, August 9 (final presentation) & Wednesday, August 11 (written
test)
Location: Zoom meeting room for Amir’s class

Last Day of School (Vancouver time)

Friday, August 13 (no class)

Semester Starting Day & Statutory Holidays (Vancouver time)

Starting Day: Tuesday, May 4
Victoria Day: Monday, May 24
Canada Day: Thursday, July 1
BC Day: Monday, August 2

Instructor: Amir Amali

Email: amira@twu-tlc.ca
Office Hour: Fri 5 - 5:45 PM

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Learning Support: Lily Li
Email: lli@twu-tlc.ca
Individual academic learning support: By appointment

Description
PGS Level-1 targets at international students of pre-advanced English proficiency (with CAEL
scores between 60 and 69, or 6.0 in IELTS). This Course will help students to learn research,
writing, and presentation skills necessary for graduate studies, and acquire English knowledge in
Economics and Public Relations. Students will take two credit courses while learning English.

Grading in Language Section

The assessed assignments in PGS Level-1 language section are as follows:
1. Mid-term projects (30%) [15% Oral - 15% Written]
2. Quizzes (10%)
3. Active learning (10%)
Consisting of the following:
- Attendance, engagement, and punctuality
- Improvement
- Daily assignment
4. Final examination (50%) [20% Oral - 30% Written]

Please note that the grade you earn in the language course at TLC is NOT transferable to TWU;
but TLC could provide a TLC transcript upon request.

Criteria of Evaluation
1. Mid-term Projects (30%)
The Projects consist of two sections conducted roughly between Week 6 to week 10.

Section I. Oral presentation and Response/Reaction essay (15%)

This section is based on the academic field trip at this level. The Essay should be 500
words minimum in length. Students are graded according to their performances in the
following five aspects: a. content development and organization; b. language; c.
presentation delivery; d. visual aids; and e. overall effectiveness.

Section II. Problem-Solution Essay (15%)

Students write an essay of a specific genre on a given topic related to the course. Students
practice citing academic and non-academic sources (two each) in this essay of about 800-
1,000 words. The essay will be graded based on the structure, content and development,
language, appropriate genre features of the specific writing task, and referencing and
citation in APA style.

2. Quiz (10%)
TWO graded quizzes at minimum will be arranged to check the ongoing learning of
students.
3. Active learning (10%)

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 Attendance, engagement, and punctuality of students in classes and Learning-Support
Session make up 10% of the module grade. Students will earn 5% of the grade by making
progress throughout the learning process.
4. Final Examination (50%)
At the end of the semester, students will write a general test that comprises Listening,
Speaking, Reading, and Writing, with each section consisting of 25% of the test. Writing
section will be evaluated based on the structure, content and development, language,
appropriate genre features of the specific writing task, and referencing and citation (if
applicable). For the Speaking part, a presentation on a given topic related to the course
content is designed and delivered separately.

Required Material
Roberts, M. (2012).  English for Economics in higher education studies:  Course book with
audio CDs.  London, England: Garnet Education.
McLisky, M. (2012).  English for Public Relations in higher education studies:  Course book
with audio CDs (Units 7-10).  London, England: Garnet Education.  
Meyers, A. (2014). Longman academic writing series: Essays to research papers (Chapters 5, 6,
& 7). New York: Pearson Education.

Supplementary course material

Marshall, S. (2012). Academic writing: Making the transition. New York: Pearson Education.
Chapter 1. Active and critical reading

*Please note that the content in this Outline is subject to change as necessary.

Selected Policies from the Student Handbook

Academic Policies
Assignments
Late submission of major assignments/projects are penalized 10% per day late for up to three
class days, after which the assignment is not accepted and receives a 0 in grade.

Exams
Exams take place at the end of each module learning. To be more specific, the 5th week of each
module is the Testing Week when general revision of the content covered will be followed by the
module specific test.

Behavior Policies

Students must be noted that attendances are tracked and the records are reported to TWU
regularly. These records may be submitted to Citizenship and Immigration upon request,
which could result in revoking of the study-permit.

Attendance

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100% attendance is expected in TLC. Instructors will take attendances and mark absences, late
attendance, and early leave. If a student has to be late or absent because of unavoidable
circumstances, he/she must inform the instructor by telephone or email in advance. Any absence,
lateness and early leaving for any classes without a valid reason will be reflected in your
attendance and affect your active learning score. More than 15% of absence of all classes may
result of repeating of the same level courses.

Lates
When being late, students may not allowed to enter the classroom because of lateness. Therefore,
students must wait outside the classroom until the break or being notified by the instructor to
attend the class. Three lates will count as one absence.

Absences
Missing one hour of a class (because of late arrival, early leaves, or missing in between) counts
as one absence.

Languages
Students are highly encouraged to speak English in and out of classrooms in TLC. Native
languages of students’ are acceptable only when English communication fails to assist learning
for lower level students. Students may gain help from their peers in class using their shared first
language; however, this only happens with the permission of the instructors. In other conditions,
communication in other languages than English will be recorded as offences by instructors or the
TLC tutor in Supervised Assignment Session in the classroom, or any employees on campus
after class.

Sick Leaves
Students absent due to sickness are required to notify TLC/instructor by email or phone in
advance. Sick leave for more than 2 days (including 2 days) will be requested to present a
doctor’s note. Students may be required to provide a doctor’s note or other documentation at the
discretion of the course instructor to make up missed assignments, tests, quizzes, or projects
while they were away.

Cell phones and Social Media

Cell phones must absolutely be muted throughout class time. No social media
(WeChat, Facebook, for example) and text messaging are allowed during class time.

Conditional use of smartphones for learning purposes in class are allowed with the permission of
instructors, who have the right to ask students to turn off their phones when necessary.

Languages
Students are highly encouraged to speak English in and out of classrooms in TLC. Native
languages of students’ are acceptable only when English communication fails to assist learning
for lower English level students. Students have to make this clear to instructors when they wish
to gain help from their fellow students using their shared language. In other conditions,

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communications in other languages than English will be recorded as offence by instructors or
TLC tutor in Supervised Assignment Session in the classroom, or any employees on campus
after class.

Classroom and Campus

Before/after and/or between classes, students are encouraged to go to public learning area on
campus, cafeteria or Richmond Public Library outside campus. It is the responsibility of all
students, instructors, and staff members to keep TLC a quiet and learning-friendly space.

Smoking is strictly forbidden on TWU campus. In addition, according to The Smoking By-law
2.2 by the City of Vancouver, “smoking is not permitted within 6 meters on the ground from a
point directly below and point of any opening into any building including door or window that
opens or any air intake.”

Food is not allowed in classrooms in order to keep our learning place clean and tidy. Drinks in
covered containers are acceptable. Students can eat at the cafeteria area outside of their
classrooms.

Cheating or Plagiarizing
Students are considered cheating or plagiarizing if they seek help, use assistance, materials or
methods while completing assignments or exams, without acknowledging of doing so.  
  
Typical cheatings may include, but are not limited to
-copying anything that is not your own work from a book, an article, internet, etc.
-copying from a classmate;
-using secret notes in an exam;
-using a dictionary when a dictionary is not allowed;
-using a cell phone during a test;
-looking at your classmate’s answers.
 
Any form of cheating will bring serious consequences from a reduced grade to a fail in the
assignment/test. Repeated cheating will lead to expulsion from TLC.

For policies regarding Dismissal and Dispute Resolution, please refer to your Student
Handbook.