Associate Degree / Higher Diploma Programmes

Semester 2, 2024

English for Academic Purposes I

Course Information

Course Code: CCEN4004

Class Number: __________

Lecturer: ___________________

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1. Course Description
This course equips you with the basic skills required for advanced-level academic purposes.
Taking this course prepares you for further study at this College and, at a later stage, at
university, and it is a meaningful continuation from Introduction to Academic English you took
last semester.

2. Objectives
Reading
▪ To introduce the register of academic writing
▪ To develop critical reading skills

Writing
▪ To build a repertoire of vocabulary and sentence structures for academic writing
▪ To advance your ability to paraphrase and summarize
▪ To introduce the APA format of referencing required in academic research

Speaking
▪ To advance your oral presentation skills in academic settings
▪ To equip you with better skills while handling questions in an oral presentation
▪ To advance your ability to give explanations and express opinions

Listening
▪ To further improve your skills in note taking and registering relevant and important
information in spoken academic contexts
▪ To advance your ability to participate in group discussions

3. Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, you will be able to:
ILO1. use English accurately, effectively and confidently in academic settings;
ILO2. apply summarizing and paraphrasing skills in academic writing;
ILO3. provide in-text citations and prepare a reference list using the APA referencing style;
ILO4. produce a referenced discursive essay;
ILO5. present research findings in a professional manner.

4. Teaching and Learning Methods

Lessons are to be conducted based on an interactive teaching methodology. Communicative
activities such as pair work and group discussions will take place frequently. You are expected
to complete classwork in preparation for discussions and other communicative activities during
lessons.

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5. Assessment

Assessment Items Due Date Weighting

Continuous Assessment (100%)
Assignment 1 – Constructing an essay plan Lesson 8 10%
Assignment 2 – Writing a summary Lesson 13 20%
Assignment 3 – Writing a discursive essay Lesson 20 30%
Assignment 4 – Presenting the discursive essay Lessons 21 - 24 20%
Mini-presentations Ongoing 10%
Class Participation Ongoing 10%

TOTAL: 100%

6. Penalties for Late Submission of Assignments 1, 2 and 3.

Up to 24 hours late: marks deduction equivalent to one letter grade

(e.g. B+ becomes C+)
2 – 7 days late: highest possible mark of 50%
(i.e. you receive half of the on-time marks)
8 – 14 days late: highest possible mark of 10%
(i.e. you receive 10% of the on-time marks)
15 or more days late: 0 marks, but feedback will be given

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7. Grade descriptors
A: Demonstrates a solid understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting a strong capacity for independent study.
B: Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting some capacity for independent study.
C: Demonstrates an incomplete understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting a limited capacity for independent study.
D: Demonstrates a weak understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting little capacity for independent study.
F: Demonstrates little or no knowledge of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting very little capacity for independent study.

8. Required Reading
You are required to download the following journal article from HKU library website before
Lesson 06.

Gabbiadini, A., Andrighetto, L., & Volpato, C. (2012). Brief report: Does exposure to
violent video games increase moral disengagement among adolescents? Journal of
Adolescence, 35(5), 1403-1406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.06.001

9. Preparation
You need to collect your HKU Facilities Access Card from the college office as soon as you
can (if you haven’t done so back in semester 1) because you need to log into your HKU library
account to download academic readings when you work on Assignments 1 and 3.

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9. Assignment Descriptions

Assignment 1: Essay Plan (10%)

You will write an essay plan in preparation for your Assignment 3 discursive essay. This plan
should include 4 academic reading sources to be cited in writing the essay. More details can be
found on SOUL

Assignment 2: Summary (20%)

You will read an article and then write a summary of about 200-250 words. You are expected
to demonstrate your ability to identify, paraphrase and summarize the main ideas embedded in
the article. APA in-text citations should be made where appropriate. More details can be found
on SOUL

Assignment 3: Referenced Discursive Essay (30%)

You will write a discursive essay of 600-700 words on a given topic. In this essay, you are
expected to cite evidence from at least 4 academic sources, such as journal articles and
academic books. You also have to demonstrate your ability to compare and contrast key ideas,
before drawing a final conclusion. More details can be found on SOUL

Assignment 4: Oral Presentation (20%)

You will present the key arguments of your referenced discursive essay in 4 minutes and give
appropriate responses in the Question and Answer session in the 1 minute that follows. More
details can be found on SOUL

All assignments are to be completed individually.

Mini-Presentations (10%)
At the beginning of term you will be organized into a group of 3 to 5 classmates. For the rest
of the lessons, complete classwork within your own group. When invited, report your
observations. Present to the whole class.

Class Participation (10%)

You are expected to assume an active role in class, participate in all activities, communicate in
English, and cooperate with your lecturer and peers. For all this to happen, attendance to all
lessons is required.

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10. Learning Schedule
Theme Topics/ Lecture Notes

1. Orientation & Academic Style 1

2. Academic Style 2
Understanding 3. Academic Style 3
Academic English Introducing Assignment 1 (due in Lesson 8)
4. Academic Genres
5. Sources of Information
6. Understanding Journal Articles
7. Paraphrasing Skills
8. Summarizing Skills
9. The Importance of Referencing
Academic Writing 10. Avoiding Plagiarism and the Proper Use of
A.I.
11. How to Write a Good Summary
Introducing Assignment 2 (in-class
assessment, Lesson 13)
Academic Reading 12. Critical Reading
Assessment 13. Assignment 2: Writing a Summary
14. Writing a Discursive Essay
Academic Writing Introducing Assignment 3 (due in Lesson 20)
15. Critical Writing
16. Grammar – Linking Words
Grammar
17. Grammar – Sentence Construction
18. Presentation Skills 1
Introducing Assignment 4 (in-class
Speaking skills assessment, Lessons 21 - 24)
19. Presentation Skills 2 & 3
Listening skills 20. Listening Skills for Lectures

Assessment 21 – 24. Assignment 4: Presentations