2012-13

Academic Success Programme

English Language Training Services Swansea University 2012-13

Academic Success Programme

2012-13

Contents Programme Introduction Course Descriptions Individual Appointments Class Dates and Times How to Apply Contact Information 3 4 8 9 10 10

Academic Success Programme

Programme Introduction

2012-13

This booklet will give you information about the Academic Success Programme classes available to you while you are studying at Swansea University. You can take advantage of a range of classes and courses which will help to enhance your academic performance in a friendly, relaxed environment. Make the most of your time at Swansea University from the outset by enrolling on a suitable course for you today! What is the Academic Success Programme? The classes offered within the programme are designed to help you successfully manage the transition into UK Higher Education study. Whether you are a UK first year student or an international student, our courses will help to familiarise you with the university system and its academic requirements. In addition, some classes are designed to assist level 2, 3 and post-graduate students with the academic skills required to research and write at a higher level. If you are an International student, you can also benefit from ongoing language support to enable you to communicate fully in the British academic system and British life in general. There are three ways to get involved in the programme: Certificated short courses - enrol online. Flexible lunchtime and afternoon drop-in sessions just turn up. One-to-one appointments book online.

The following pages will give you more detailed information about the classes and explain how to register.

Join In Have Fun Be Successful

Academic Success Programme

2012-13

The following courses are suitable for both British and International students
Writing Academic Essays 2 hours per week x 8 weeks 4 options This course will help you to develop essential skills in academic essay writing. The writing process is clearly explained in stages through demonstration and practise. A minimum of 90% attendance is required. Course content Academic formality and Essay Structure Unity and Cohesion Planning and Organisation Working with Essay titles Summarising and Paraphrasing Incorporating Sources/Writing a bibliography

There will be a short, assessed writing task at the end of this course. You will receive a certificate showing your attainment grade. Critical Thinking Course 2 hours per week x 6 weeks 2 options Critical thinking is a fundamental component of academic life. This course provides you with an introduction to critical thinking and helps you to recognise different types of arguments in academic texts, enabling you to feel more confident about your ability to express yourself in a reasoned way. Course content What is critical thinking? Recognising strong, sound and poor arguments Persuasion through language Detecting bias Taking part in a seminar

You will receive a certificate for this course for 100% attendance. N.B. You will be required to buy a book for this course costing around 5.50

Academic Success Programme

2012-13

Presentation Skills Course 2 hours per week x 4 weeks 3 options Being able to deliver an effective oral presentation is an essential skill in academic and professional life. This course gives you the opportunity to optimise your communication skills and develop confidence in this area. Course content Preparing for presentations Group presentations Content and communication of presentations Presentation style Visual aids and PowerPoint

You will receive a certificate for this course for 100% attendance. N.B. You will be required to buy a book for this course costing around 5.50 Exam Skills 2 hours per week x 4 weeks This course will help to develop your exam strategies both before and during your exam. Course content Managing your revision time Revising actively for understanding Working with past papers Understanding exam questions Managing your time during exams

The following drop-in classes are suitable for both British and international students Seminar Skills 1 hour per week This course helps you to learn how to prepare for seminars and tutorials and also develop the communication skills necessary to participate confidently and effectively. Course content Key features of seminars and tutorials Typical seminar activities Preparing with research and reflection Communication strategies

Academic Success Programme

2012-13

Academic Essay Writing 1 hour per week This course covers all aspect of writing academic essays. Course content Essay planning and organisation Tackling the question Academic style Paraphrasing Referencing

Research Writing for Post-Graduate Students 1 hour per week (Terms 2 &3) A course aimed specifically at students carrying out research and writing their dissertations. Course content Writing abstracts Writing literature reviews Paraphrasing Referencing and citation Report writing

The following drop-in classes are for international students only

Grammar & Writing 1 hour per week A course aimed at revision of essential grammar and elements of language required to produce high quality written work. Course content Tense revision Use of the passive Use of articles Writing for different purposes

Academic Success Programme

Listening/TV News 1 hour per week

2012-13

These classes help to improve your listening skills, working with authentic material from the TV news and giving you an opportunity to listen for specific information and understand aspects of colloquial English language to extend your vocabulary and develop cultural awareness. Course content Recognising key vocabulary items Intensive listening Cultural awareness Colloquial language

Listening Skills 1 hour per week These classes focus on improving your listening skills through a variety of academic texts. Develop skills to help you get the most out of your lectures, identify key information, learn strategies for effective note-taking and reviewing your notes. Course content Note-taking from listening texts Recognising key information Strategies for effective listening Vocabulary work

Reading Skills 1 hour per week Improve your academic reading skills in these classes which give you the opportunity to work closely with a variety of academic texts to develop strategies for dealing with unfamiliar vocabulary and complex sentences. Course content Note-taking from reading texts Summarising and paraphrasing Vocabulary work Intensive reading

Academic Success Programme

Pronunciation 1 hour per week

2012-13

Designed to improve all aspects of pronunciation, from individual sounds to full phrases. You will be able to practise the pronunciation of difficult sounds in a relaxed and friendly environment. Course content Individual sounds Syllable stress Word stress Intonation Rhythm

Individual appointments are available to all students

All students are able to make one-to-one appointments with a tutor where you can seek advice on all aspects of your academic work. The tutors WILL NOT proof read your written work but will look at a few pages with you and give you feedback on how to improve. You should book appointments at least 24 hours in advance, but not more than 2 weeks ahead. You cannot book more than one single appointment per week. This allows fairness and flexibility for all students Appointments can be booked by following this link: www.swansea.ac.uk/elts/asp

Academic Success Programme

Class Dates and Times
Drop-in Classes (Just turn-up to any class) Term 1 (Michaelmas Term) 8th October 14th December 2012 Day Monday Monday Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Class Grammar and Writing (for international students) Grammar and Writing (repeat) (for international students) Academic Essay Writing Listening Comprehension (for international students) Pronunciation (for international students) Listening Skills/TV News (for international students) Academic Essay Writing (repeat) Reading Skills (for international students) Seminar Skills Time 12:00 12:50 14:00 - 14:50 12:00 12:50 14:00 - 14:50 15:00 15:50 12:00 12:50 14:00 - 14:50 12:00 12:50 12:00 12:50

2012-13

Room Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B Faraday B

Certificated Courses (Enrol online and attend the full course) Term 1 (Michaelmas Term) 15th October 14th December 2012 Course name Writing Academic Essays Option 1 Writing Academic Essays Option 2 Writing Academic Essays Option 3 Writing Academic Essays Option 4 Critical Thinking Option 1 Critical Thinking Option 2 Presentation Skills Option 1 Presentation Skills Option 2 Presentation Skills Option 3 Exam Skills Option 1 Course length 2 hours per week x 8 weeks = 16 hours 2 hours per week x 8 weeks = 16 hours 2 hours per week x 8 weeks = 16 hours 2 hours per week X 6 weeks 12 hours 2 hours per week x 6 weeks = 12 hours 2 hours per week X 6 weeks = 12 hours 2 hours per week x 4 weeks = 8 hours 2 hours per week x 4 weeks = 8 hours 2 hours per week X 4 weeks = 8 hours 2 hours per week X 4 weeks = 8 hours Day & time Monday 10:00 12:00 From 15th October Monday 15:00 17:00 From 15th October Thursday 15:00 17:00 From 18th October Wednesday 14:0016:00 From 7th November Tuesdays 10:00 12:00 From 16th October Friday 10:00 12:00 From 9th November Thursdays 10:00 12:00 From 15th October Thursdays 10:00 12:00 From 12th November Monday 14:00 16:00 From 12th November Wednesday 10:00 12:00 From 14th November Room Grove 265 Grove 265 Grove 265 Grove 353 Grove 265 Grove 353 Grove 265 Grove 265 Margam 318 Taliesin Arts 18

Academic Success Programme

How to Apply

2012-13

Drop-in Classes You can register for any of the drop-in classes when you attend your first class; just turn up and complete a registration form.

Certificated Courses For the certificated courses, you need to enrol online. All courses are limited to 20 students per course and if you enrol, you are committing to attend the full programme on a weekly basis. You can enrol for a maximum of 2 courses per term.

Appointments Appointments can be booked online. You can book no more than one appointment per week, unless otherwise agreed with one of the Academic Success Programme tutors. You should book appointments at least 24 hours in advance but not more than 2 weeks ahead. This allows fairness and flexibility for all students.

Online enrolment and appointment booking can be found here: www.swansea.ac.uk/elts/asp

Course dates and times for terms 2 and 3 will be available soon

Contact Information Tutor Sandy George Irene Turner Liz Stratton Pete Hanratty Ali Fuge Email s.george@swansea.ac.uk i.p.turner@swansea.ac.uk e.stratton@swansea.ac.uk a.fuge@swansea.ac.uk Extension 6597 4515 6613 6613 Office Grove 266 Grove 267 Grove 259 Grove 259 Grove 259

p.hanratty@swansea.ac.uk 6613

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