Swinburne University of Technology
SWINBURNE COLLEGE Course Information Booklet 2014 General English, Level 3
General English Level 3 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology
Welcome to GE Level 3 This course information booklet will explain the aims of the course, your assessments/tasks and the necessary information to support you in your studies.
Aims The aim of this course is to improve your overall English language skills in an Australian context. You will develop these through a range of activities to help you improve Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation and Grammar skills.
Content At the end of this course you will be able to: Writing/Grammar
Plan, write and edit a short descriptive essay Plan, write and edit a short essay comparing and contrasting information Write short texts on a range of themes and topics
Reading
Read everyday texts for main ideas and specific information Use skimming, scanning and inferencing techniques to better understand texts Use texts to build vocabulary about familiar topics and personal interests
Listening
Listen to situations about real life and personal experiences Listen for main ideas and specific details Use basic note-taking skills
Speaking
Participate in planned and unplanned conversations, presentations and group projects using suitable vocabulary and grammar structures Use appropriate pronunciation, stress, intonation, cohesive devices and body language
3 Updated March 2014
General English Level 3 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology
Assessment Overview You will be assessed in all skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, Grammar and Study Skills. The assessment will consist of continuous assessment tasks/tests as well as end of level tests. Your teachers will give you more information about each one.
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
%
Assessments
20
Listening Quiz – Week 5
50
Listening Test – Week 10
50
Weekly Reading/Vocab Record – Weeks 1-9
30
Reading Quiz – Week 5
30
Reading Test – Week 10
40
Weekly Writing Folio – Weeks 1-9
30
Descriptive Essay: Outline, First Draft, Final Draft – Weeks 1-5
30
Writing Test – Compare and Contrast Essay – Week 10
40
Group project – TV Commercial – Weeks 1-5
15
Group Project – Digital Story using Voicethread – Weeks 6-10
15
Individual Presentation – Teaching the Class – Week 5
30
Pair Dialogue – Week 10
40
20
20
20
Weighting %
Grammar
10
Grammar Quizzes x 2 – Week 4 & 8
100
Study Skills
10
Independent Learning Centre (ILC)/E-learning
50
Approach to Study
50
Working independently, classroom participation, completion of classroom tasks, punctuality and working in groups
4 Updated March 2014
General English Level 3 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology
Student Responsibilities Assessment
You need to satisfactorily complete all required tasks and assessments For future EAP3 students, to progress from Week 1-5 to Week 6-10, you will require 60% overall with all skills 55% or greater For future EAP4 students, to progress from Week 1-5 to Week 6-10, you will require 75% overall with all skills 70% or greater If you do not achieve these scores you will be required to repeat weeks 1-5 To progress to EAP3 you must obtain a minimum overall score of 65%, with all skill areas greater than 60% To progress to EAP 4 you must obtain a minimum overall score of 80%, with all skill areas greater than 75% If you miss any tests/tasks because you are sick, you must get a medical certificate within 72 hours of the test to do it at another time If you are absent from a test, you will not receive any marks unless there are special reasons that you can support with original documents (e.g. medical certificates)
At Risk
If you don’t finish all the tests/ tasks, you may have to repeat Weeks 1 to 5 to improve your English Language skills
Attendance
You need to attend at least 80% or more classes to satisfactorily complete this level You should not make arrangements to leave before the end of your assessment as it may affect your progression to the next level
Plagiarism/Cheating
You MUST not cheat in a test You MUST not copy work from another student You MUST not get another student to do your work for you
Problems Academic
If you have any problems speak to your teachers first If your teachers can’t help you they will ask you to see the Academic Program Manager If the Academic Program Manager can’t help you they will ask you to see the Assistant Director of Studies
General
If you have a general problem you can see the Student Support Manager, Byron Coonerty in TD133 or call 9214 5668 You can also see an International Student Advisor to help you. To make an appointment call 9214 6741 or email isa@swin.edu.au.
Independent Learning Centre (ILC: TD 140) and E-learning The ILC provides learning materials and resources for your independent study You must do at least 5 hours of independent study a week. You must do at least 1 hour of independent study on Blackboard You can use Blackboard at home or in the ILC
5 Updated March 2014