James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2020

LS0442 - English for Academic Purposes Level 4b

Subject Description

EAP 4b aims to help students acquire relevant academic English language skills in preparation for an Australian tertiary education at JCU. The level is aligned to English language learning industry benchmarks: The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) at a mid to high B2 and with the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at band 6.0-6.5. EAP4 is academically oriented and covers the macro skills of reading, writing, listening and speaking whilst also developing key 21st century and academic skills such as critical thinking, research, collaboration, digital literacy, time management and reflection. On successful completion of EAP 4b students will have acquired the theoretical and practical English linguistic, thinking and academic knowledge and skills relevant for tertiary education.

Learning Outcomes

• Listening Skills: L1. Can understand complex or abstract information and/or explicit and implicit arguments in academic listening genres on a variety of topics; can generally manage free- form structure and academic language L2. Can use a range of complex listening strategies to listen effectively and meaningfully process listening texts
• Speaking Skills: S1. Can deliver a clear, well-organised and comprehensively researched presentation on a complex subject or issue; can respond effectively to questions S2. Can actively and spontaneously participate in complex and/or abstract interactions, including role-plays, interviews, discussions, meetings or debates; can use a range of discourse strategies with overall ease S3. Can speak with clear pronunciation and generally vary prosodic features such as intonation, pitch, rhythm and stress to effectively convey meaning
• Reading Skills: R1. Can understand lengthy complex or abstract information and/or explicit and implicit arguments in academic reading genres; can generally manage free-form structure and academic language R2. Can use a range of complex reading strategies to read effectively and meaningfully process nuanced reading texts
• Writing Skills: W1. Can take a critical, well-researched approach to writing academically W2. Can paraphrase, summarise, synthesise and incorporate information from multiple sources effectively into own work W3. Can demonstrate thorough understanding of referencing standards and plagiarism
• Language Skills: LG1. Can maintain a high degree of grammatical range and accuracy with only the rare error affecting communication LG2. Can produce clearly structured, cohesive and overall smoothly flowing discourse LG3. Can generally produce a range of complex vocabulary appropriately, precisely and flexibly
• Academic Skills: AS1. Can critically evaluate English academic sources for quality, logic, reliability and relevance of ideas and information; can analyse complex situations or problems to find solutions AS2. Can reflect on, evaluate and manage learning to achieve most language learning goals AS3. Can use a range of discourse and collaboration strategies to be a productive and effective member of a group or team AS4. Can use a range of research strategies and platforms to locate, evaluate, interpret and select English language materials relevant to research needs AS5. Can use a range of digital technology for English language learning and cooperation

Subject Assessment

• Invigilated > Quizzes or tests - (50%)
• Non-Invigilated > Assignments - (50%)

Note that minor variations might occur due to the continuous subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.

Availabilities