THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION

CENTRE FOR LANGUAGE IN EDUCATION

MODULE OUTLINE

Effective Communication: Reading and Writing II

(English Language Support for Graduating Students)

Programme Title:

Two Year Full-time Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary)

Four–year Full-time Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Secondary) Programme

Four–year Full-time Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Primary) Programme

Academic Year:

2004/2005

Subject Area:

English Language Enhancement

Year Group:

2BEd(P)1, 4BEd(P)3, 4BEd(S)3

Semester(s):

One

Module Title & Codes:

Effective Communication: Reading and Writing II

CLE 4045E

Module Synopsis

This module offers a general overview of some key reading and writing skills for effective communication to our graduating seniors. Content is drawn from topics relevant to the practical needs of our graduating seniors, including preparation for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which has been chosen as the exit language test for university graduates in Hong Kong, grammar overview and the writing of resume and job application letters. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to make use of different types of practice textbooks on IELTS, learning materials and electronic tools, to better equip themselves for graduation before setting their foot in the working world.

Aim:

To help students improve their English before graduation.

Module Objectives:

To enable students to
a.	develop their basic reading and writing skills for effective communication;
b.	Understand specific reading and writing tasks in the IELTS;
c.	Apply reading and writing skills in the job application process;

10.

Module Content:

a.	The IELTS Reading Unit · Skimming/scanning for specific information and detail · Identifying main and supporting ideas · Identifying opinion/attitude and making inferences
b.	The IELTS Writing Unit · Describing facts and figures; describing trends and summarising data · Planning a structure for the essay; introducing topics and main ideas · Developing an argument
d.	The Grammar Unit · Grammar usage relevant to IELTS writing tasks: describing and interpretation of data, making and argument, etc. · Basic grammar overview
e.	The Job Application Unit · Putting together a curriculum vitae/resume · Writing a job application letter

Total:

24 hours

11.

Teaching Method:

This module adopts an integrated approach to develop students’ basic reading and writing skills, while making use of a diverse range of materials. Apart from skill building exercises and practice tests on IELTS, materials from various sources such as newspapers, magazines, on-line materials, CDs, videos will be used to arouse students’ interests in learning English. Individual learning activities, pair work and group work are included to encourage both independent learning and team-building. Other activities include discussions, multi-media-assisted learning tasks and independent learning activities.

12.

Assessment:

Two assignments, each taking up 50% of the total grade are required. One of which is ELTS-based and the other one is job-hunting related.

a) Description of graphical data (50%)

b) Job application letter and CV (50%)

2 x 25% =

100%

13.

Recommended Reading:

Useful Printed Materials:

On IELTS:

Adams, G. and Peck, T. (1999) 202 Useful Exercises for IELTS. Sydney:

Adams and Austen Press.

Adams, G. and Peck, T. (1997) 101 Helpful Hints for IELTS. Sydney: Adams

and Austen Press.

Catt, C. (1996) Language Passport: Preparing for the IELTS Interview.

Auckland, N.Z.: Longman.

Garbutt, M. and O'Sullivan, K. (1996) IELTS Strategies for Study: Reading,

Writing, Listening and Speaking at University and College. Sydney, N.S.W.: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research.

Jakeman, V. and McDowell, C. (1999) Insight into IELTS: the Cambridge

IELTS Course. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

O'Sullivan, K. and Lindeck, J. (2000) Focusing on IELTS: Reading and

Writing Skills. Sydney, N.S.W.: National Centre for English Language Teaching and Research.

Pejovic, V., Niclin, M. and Read, P. (1997) IELTS Preparation and Practice:

Reading and Writing. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Sahanaya, W., Lindeck, J. and Stewart, R. (1998) IELTS Preparation and

Practice: Reading and Writing: Academic Module. Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

On Job-hunting: (The following materials are on reserve in the main library under the course codes CLE 2043E or CLE 4045E. Check with the librarian at the G/F counter.)

Criscito, Pat. (1995) Designing the perfect resume : a unique "idea" book filled with hundreds of sample resumes created using WordPerfect software. Hauppauge, N.Y. : Barron's.

Schmid, Peggy. (1992) The 90-minute resume Princeton, N.J. : Peterson's Guides,.

Jones, Alan. (2000) How to write a winning C.V. : a simple step-by-step guide to creating the perfect C.V. London : Random House Business.

Block, Jay and Michael Betrus. (1999) 101 best cover letters. New York : McGraw-Hill.

Useful Internet Sites:

On IELTS:

http://www.ielts.org

Preparation for IELTS by distance Learning

http://www.brookes.ac.uk/sol/home/icels.html

Prepare for IELTS (The IELTS Preparation course)

http://www.insearch.edu.au/IELTS.ASP

Excel at Academic English

http://www.anglia.ac.uk/efl