This 10-credit module aims to develop students’ confidence in using English both in the academic environment as well as outside the university. Attention is paid on improving academic English concentrating on areas of language and skills which are most commonly required in academic study such as note taking, critical reading and writing, summarising, paraphrasing, referencing, essay writing and presentations. 

The module builds on students’ linguistic knowledge and academic skills already learned in the home country This could be a revision of academic skills depending on the students’ previous experience.

• Keep effective notes from a variety of sources (lectures, academic texts) using different techniques
• Read critically and paraphrase, summarise and synthesise information using compare and contrast language.
• write a short academic essay, with a clearly defined structure to communicate information, ideas and opinions, using references effectively and appropriately
• give a formal and structured presentation.

The module will be taught through a blend of live online classes and guided, interactive online tasks and activities, designed to fulfil the learning outcomes. These will be delivered remotely, and on-campus if the University deems it safe and practicable.

• note-taking
• locating and paraphrasing key information
• producing concise and accurate summaries
• analysing essay questions
• evaluating sources
• synthesising information
• writing in a concise and clear way, communicating information, ideas and opinions

The method(s) of assessing the learning outcomes for this module are set out in the Assessment Table, which also contains the weightings of each assessment component.

• Introduction to the course and Note-taking skills 1
• Note-taking skills 2: oral (lecture) vs written (journal article/book chapter) input
• Summarising and paraphrasing skills 1: locating the main ideas, using your own words
• Summarising and paraphrasing skills 2: using connectors, strategies to avoid plagiarism
• Citing and referencing
• Where can you find appropriate sources? Evaluating sources
• Essay Writing Skills 1 : Interpreting the Question, Research and Planning
• Essay Writing Skills 2 : Writing and Revising
• Presentation Skills : what makes an effective presentation?

1. Bailey, S. 2015. Academic writing: a handbook for international students. 4th ed., Oxon, Routledge
2. Burns, T. And Sinfield, S. (2016) Essential Study Skills (4^th edition), Los Angeles, London: Sage, pp.66-77, 94-101, 192-205, 226-239
3. Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook, London: Macmillan International, pp.189-196
4. Greetham, B (2018) How to Write Better essays (4^th edition), London: Palgrave
5. Hopkins, D. And Reid T. (2018) The Academic Skills Handbook, Los Angeles, London: Sage, pp.95-182, 203-230
6. Wallace, M., J. (2010) Study Skills in English, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
7. https://xerte.cardiff.ac.uk/play_4216

• Bailey, S. 2015. Academic writing: a handbook for international students. 4th ed., Oxon, Routledge.
• Burns, T. And Sinfield, S. (2016) Essential Study Skills (4^th edition), Los Angeles, London: Sage
• Cottrell, S. (2019) The Study Skills Handbook, London: Macmillan International
• Greetham, B (2018) How to Write Better essays (4^th edition), London: Palgrave
• Hamp-Lyons, L. and Heasley, B. 2006. Study writing: a course in written English for academic purposes. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
• Hopkins, D. And Reid T. (2018) The Academic Skills Handbook, Los Angeles, London: Sage
• McCarthy, M. and O'Dell, F. 2008. Academic vocabulary in use: 50 units of academic vocabulary reference and practice: self-study and classroom use. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press.
• Oshima, A. and Hogue, A. 2006. Writing academic English. 4th ed., White Plains, N.Y., Pearson Longman.
• Pallant, A. 2012. English for academic study: writing. Reading, Garnet Education.
• Slaght, J and Pallant, A. 2012. English for academic study: reading and writing. Reading, Garnet Education.
• Sowton, C. 2012. 50 steps to improving your academic writing. Reading, Garnet Publishing Ltd.
• Wallace, M., J. (2010) Study Skills in English, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press

https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/study/study-skills/academic-writing-communication-and-referencing/writing-and-presenting

https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/study/study-skills/academic-writing-communication-and-referencing/citing-and-referencing-support

https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/study/study-skills/effective-studying-and-learning

https://intranet.cardiff.ac.uk/students/study/study-skills/finding,-using-and-evaluating-resources