BDIC1047J

BDIC1047J English for University Studies is designed for students who have embarked on the first semester of their dual undergraduate degree programme at Beijing-Dublin International College (BDIC). The module aims to help students develop their English language proficiency in the context of university study and prepare them for the tasks
they will face while doing an English-medium higher education degree.

The module takes a task-based approach to learning and focuses, in particular, on helping students to develop the communicative competence they will require to succeed in the university environment. Emphasis is placed throughout the module on the functions and language required for different communicative purposes.

Reading and Listening classes are organised around themes that reflect key aspects of university life. More specifically, the listening component of the course focuses on the listening comprehension strategies students need when participating in group discussions and attending lectures. Students learn how to identify important information in lectures and how to take effective notes while listening. The reading tasks expose students to a variety of texts and introduce different reading purposes and strategies, note-taking and summarising and synthesizing information from different sources.

Writing and Speaking classes are based around the theme of sustainable development. Students are encouraged to investigate this topic from a range of perspectives – including the perspective of their own subject discipline. Writing tasks are designed to help students write definitions, purpose statements, thesis statements, short texts, and responses to (exam) questions drawing upon information from reading passages. There is a particular focus on writing for argumentation. Meanwhile, students will have the opportunity to develop their speaking skills by giving oral summaries and short presentations, and particularly through participation in group discussions. The course also helps students to expand the range and improve the accuracy of lexis and grammatical structures they use in written and spoken texts.

While assessments focus on specific skills, the teaching approach integrates all four skills throughout: for example, all writing tasks are based on reading, and reading and listening classes will involve discussion and written project work.

In addition to focusing on the above language-related skills, classroom tasks and activities support students' development of academic study competencies, independent language learning strategies and critical thinking skills.

Materials, objectives, and assessments are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) with an expected exit level of B1+/B2. Tasks are also aligned to BALEAP's ‘can-do’ framework for EAP syllabus design and assessment.