ENGL 1104 - Professional English (ESL) I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

Professional English (ESL) is a practical course for students who are still developing fluency in written and spoken English, and who wish to improve their expression in the context of business communications. The course is designed for students whose first language is not English. Common business documents are studied, as well as grammar, syntax and style.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ENGL 1104
    Course Professional English (ESL) I
    Coordinating Unit English, Creative Writing, and Film
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 3 hours per week
    Incompatible Not available to students who completed SACE Stage 2 English Studies or SACE Stage 2 English Communications or equivalent or ENGL 2104, ENGL 1104, ENGL 2016, ENGL 3016, ENGL 2046
    Course Description Professional English (ESL) is a practical course for students who are still developing fluency in written and spoken English, and who wish to improve their expression in the context of business communications. The course is designed for students whose first language is not English. Common business documents are studied, as well as grammar, syntax and style.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Sandra Lyne

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Produce a range of common workplace documents
    2. Recognise and correct common mistakes in grammar, expression, syntax and tone 
    3. Prepare and deliver coherently and logically argued written material
    4. Critically evaluate their own and others’ written materials
    5. Engage productively and respectfully with their peers
    6. Recognise and apply transferable skills in other university courses and in professional contexts beyond the university
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1, 3
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1, 3
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 3, 4, 6
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 3, 4, 5
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1, 2
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1, 3, 4, 5
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 3, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    McKenzie, Margaret. Australian Handbook for Writers and Editors. 4th ed. Woodslane, 2010.
    Recommended Resources
    The University’s Centre for Learning and Professional Development offers a range of resources and support:

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/clpd

    The Barr Smith Library has a comprehensive collection of English Language and Study Skills (ELSS) resources

    http://libguides.adelaide.edu.au/esl
    Online Learning
    Additional course-related material is available on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course is built around a series of online lectures covering grammar and expression, and the conventions of common business documents. These will be complemented by weekly workshops in which students will practice the reproduction of a range of authentic business documents used in everyday work contexts in preparation for the submission of their own work. Workshops and assignments consolidate the learning of key principles in the construction and design of common workplace documents and develop skills in the evaluation of them. Weekly grammar workshops address the problems that students from non-English speaking backgrounds face in grammar, expression, syntax, style and tone
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    1 x 1-hour lecture (or equivalent) per week 12 hours per semester
    1 x 2-hour workshop (or equivalent) per week 24 hours per semester
    2 hours reading in English per week 24 hours per semester
    3 hours assignment preparation per week 36 hours per semester
    3 hours research per week 36 hours per semester
    2 hours writing in English per week 24 hours per semester
    TOTAL WORKLOAD 156 hours per semester
    Learning Activities Summary
    Schedule
    Week 1 Introduction
    Week 2 Grammar: introduction; Business Letters
    Week 3 Grammar Workshop; Business Letters continued
    Week 4 Grammar Workshop; Emails
    Week 5 Grammar Workshop; Emails continued
    Week 6 Report structure: literature reviews
    Week 7 Report structure: literature reviews continued
    Week 8 Referencing
    Week 9 Referencing continued
    Week 10 Job Application
    Week 11 Job Application continued
    Week 12 Course revision
    Specific Course Requirements

    Not applicable.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Weighting Learning Outcome
    Grammar and writing test Formative and Summative 10% 2
    Business letter Formative and Summative 5% 1, 4, 5
    Revised business letter Formative and Summative 5% 1, 2, 4
    Email Formative 0% 1, 2, 4
    Literature Review and Referencing Formative and Summative 20% 2, 3, 5
    Job Application Formative and Summative 20% 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
    Participation Formative and Summative 10% 1-6
    Exam Summative 30% 1, 2, 3
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Grammar, expression and tone, as well as content and structure, are assessable components of all assignments and the final examination.

    All work must be completed in order to fulfil the requirements of the course. Students must pass the final examination in order to pass the course.

    All students must complete all the assessment tasks and sit the Final Examination to be deemed to have fulfilled the requirements of the course. If students do not complete an assessment task(s), excluding the examination, they will receive 0% for the uncompleted assignment(s) and a maximum of 49% for the course, or a lower grade depending on marks for other continuing assessment assignments. Students must pass the final examination in order to pass the course: i.e. if you fail the examination, then your examination mark becomes your final mark for the course. If you receive 45%-49% for the course, you will be offered an additional assessment examination on academic grounds. If you pass the additional assessment examination, you will receive 50% as your final grade. If you receive 45%-49% for the primary examination and do not sit the additional assessment examinations, the mark for the primary examination will be your mark for the course. 
    Assessment Detail
    Grammar Test - Weighting: 10% - Word count: equivalent 250-300
    Each week, there will be set grammar and writing exercises to complete for homework. Most of these will come from the set text for the course. You may also be asked to complete supplementary grammar exercises in class. 

    Business Letter - Weighting: 5% - Word count: 200-250 (including addresses etc)
    Students will submit 1 business letter for assessment. Topics for the business letter will be chosen by the course coordinator and appear in the online lecture notes.

    Revised business letter - Weighting: 5% - Word count: 100-150

    Email - Weighting: 0%
    Students will submit one email on the same topic as the business letter. Draft of will be peer reviewed.

    Literature review and Reference list - Weighting: 20% - Word count: 1200-1250
    Students choose from a set list of questions and conduct limited research into the most current material published on their chosen question. They write up a referenced review of the current literature and format a reference list in a style appropriate to their discipline. Students should select at least six journal articles, two authoritative websites and two books for inclusion in their assignment, and show in the literature review that they have read their selected texts by stating each text's overall argument as well as its specific contribution to the research question. 

    Job Application - Weighting: 20%
    Students put together an application for a real job advertisment, including a covering letter, CV and reply to selection criteria.

    Participation - Weighting: 10%
    Students are expected to read the online lecture notes, do the grammar exercises set for homework, and bring exercises and drafts of assignments to class for peer review. Students may be tested in-class on their knowledge of the online lecture notes in informal, short, weekly quizzes.

    Final Examination- Weighting: 30% - Approximately 1500 words
    Consists of a number of sections that cover the work and assignments done during the semester. The sections test students’ knowledge in the following areas: Grammar; Business Letters and Emails; Referencing; Informative Summary; Job applications.
    Submission
    All assignments are submitted electronically via MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.