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English for Academic Purposes

for Faculty of Science (ES1301)

Objectives

The course aims to help students strengthen their oral and written skills in order to enhance their language proficiency, a necessary contributing factor to the students' academic success. In this course, students learn to write clear and coherent academic essays, as well as have the opportunity to practice speaking clearly and confidently. Specifically, students will learn to:

  • read critically to interpret ideas and to distinguish between main and supporting ideas
  • synthesise ideas from different texts
  • write well organized paragraphs and essays
  • use more accurate grammar in writing, and
  • use academic vocabulary in writing.

Format

The course focuses on integrating speaking, writing and reading skills. Materials used in the course are mainly expository in nature and they are generally related to science and current issues. Writing tasks focus on writing essays in response to reading texts. The aim of this text-based writing approach is to inculcate critical thinking and analytical skills in students. Relevant grammar points are reviewed and reinforced through appropriate activities like text editing. Students are given opportunities to practise their speaking skills through debates and presentations. The tutor reviews the students' writing and speaking tasks and conferences with students to discuss their performance.

Assessment

The evaluation of this course consists of continual assessment (50%) and the final examination (50%).