0ALDS - Academic English for Postgraduate Study 2023-2024

Scheme of work - Semester 1 (October start)

Outline of in-class activities Independent Study

Class 1 Effective researching, reading & critical thinking 1.1 Note taking from lectures
W/C 9th October 2023  Introduction to academic research using databases 1.2 Planning and writing a
 Evaluating sources critical review
 Strategies for efficient reading of academic texts.
 Thinking critically and practicing critical analysis

Class 2 Academic Writing Fundamentals 2.1 A guide to style in

W/C 16th October 2023
 How to structure and write introductions, main body paragraphs and academic writing
conclusions 2.2 Understanding the
 Crafting clear thesis statements and topic sentences assignment task
 How to write using an academic style & tone (including academic 2.3 Essay plan template
vocabulary) 2.4 Essay checklist

Class 3 Finding your academic voice and avoiding plagiarism

W/C 23rd October 2023
Class 4
W/C 30th October 2023
(f2f or Online)
 Demonstrating your voice in academic writing
 How to paraphrase and reference (in-text and in a Reference List)
 Introduction to referencing software (Zotero, Endnote & Mendeley)
Writing workshop
 Practice skills learnt in Classes 1, 2 & 3+ receive feedback on any
written work in progress

Class 5 Academic presentations workshop 5.1 How to give an academic

W/C 6th November 2023  Understanding what lecturers are looking for (marking criteria) presentation
 Engaging introductions and conclusions
 Visual aids and slides
 Delivery technique

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0ALDS - Academic English for Postgraduate Study 2023-2024

Class 6 Writing or presentation workshop

W/C 13th November 2023  Practice skills learnt in Classes 1,2,3 and 5 + receive feedback on any
written work in progress

Class 7 Exploring different types of academic writing 7.1 Genres to analyse

W/C 20th November 2023
Class 8
W/C 27th November 2023
(f2f or Online)
 Reports, critical reviews, reflective writing and more 7.2 Guide to reflective writing
 Explore examples of these different writing forms. 7.3 Guide to writing an
 Using AI to support your academic writing academic report
7.4 Guide to writing a critical
review
Writing workshop
 What are lecturers looking for in written assignments? (Writing
workshop engaging with marking criteria)

Class 9 Writing a dissertation 9.1 Structuring a dissertation

W/C 4th December 2023  How to structure a dissertation (theoretical vs empirical)
 How to write a literature review 9.2 Improving and revising
 Writing process and time management your written work
 Editing and proofreading

Class 10 Writing workshop & tutorials 10.1 In-class tutorial

W/C 11th December 2023
(f2f or Online)
 Practise how to write a dissertation proposal or receive feedback on (Complete before tutorial)
written work in progress 10.2 Dissertation proposal
 Tutorial with lecturer examples
10.3 Dissertation proposal
template

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0ALDS - Academic English for Postgraduate Study 2023-2024

Overview of Module
Duration of class: 2 hours
Face-to-face or Online (to be decided by lecturer & students)
 Classes 4, 8 & 10

Writing Workshops

 Classes 4, 6, 8 & 10
Presentation workshops

 Class 5 & 6
Tutorial

 Class 10