The English & Study Skills Programme 1
Message from the President The World Maritime University (WMU) has entered a very exciting period in its history. It has been given an expanded mandate beyond maritime issues to include the ocean agenda and sustainable development in line with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. WMU is today the global center of excellence for postgraduate maritime and oceans education, professional training, research and capacity building. WMU builds and strengthens global capacity to ensure safe, secure and efficient shipping on clean oceans and promote sustainable development. WMU supports the objectives and goals of IMO and its member States as a unique academic maritime institution based in Malmรถ, Sweden. As President of WMU, it therefore gives me enormous pleasure and pride to present our English and Study Skills Programme (ESSP) which is in line with its ambitious mandate designed to ensure that no one is left behind. Our intensive ESSP programme, which has been developed over the past 30 years, prepares and supports students to achieve their academic goals. The majority of ESSP students will enter the Malmรถ MSc programme, but the ESSP is also open to anyone with an interest in building confidence through practicing the required language proficiency skills required to achieve the maximum benefit from the academic programme and enable them to communicate effectively. Whether continuing studies at WMU or solely joining the ESSP, being part of the multicultural, maritime-focused environment of WMU provides the opportunity to build professional connections while developing cross-cultural understanding. The curriculum and teaching materials combine current maritime themes and issues with life skills such as communication, team work and problem-solving which are transferable to a professional career and life-long learning. At WMU we have a commitment to the highest level of academic and professional standards. I invite you to consider how participation in the ESSP can support your goals and enhance your ability to effectively communicate in English in the maritime field. Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry President, World Maritime University
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The English & Study Skills Programme (ESSP) Who is the ESSP for? The ESSP is for anyone who needs to communicate more effectively in English in the maritime field. Our students are typically: • WMU students enrolled in the ESSP as a condition of entry into the MSc programme • WMU students who elect to take the ESSP in preparation for the MSc programme •
• Non-WMU students who wish to upgrade their professional and academic English communication skills in the maritime context
When is the ESSP held? The ESSP runs each year from mid June to early September. Classes are held Monday to Friday.
What is involved? The 12-week intensive programme incorporates the following core components: • Academic Writing • Thematic Integrated Skills • Speaking and Presentation Skills The programme also includes maritime-focused academic lectures by WMU professors, and IT and library workshops. Students are expected to complete individual assignments as well as group work, homework and self-study.
How many students are in each class? Small classes are a feature of the ESSP and are ideal for language learning. Each core class is limited to around 12 participants to facilitate group activities and allow for more individual feedback from the teachers.
Typical weekly schedule* Writing Skills
Thematic Integrated Skills
Speaking/ Presentation Skills
Maritime Academic Lecture
5 x 90 minutes
4 x 90 minutes
2 x 90 minutes
2 x 90 minutes
* also includes individual assignments, group work, homework and self-study
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Our Approach The ESSP is focused on helping you achieve success. The programme takes into account the inputs, required skills and assessment methods found in a MSc programme and prepares you to meet the Academic English demands in a postgraduate level maritime context. Inputs
Skills Required
Assessment Methods
Lectures
Group work
Critical essay
Reading
Problem solving
Critical reading report
Group work
Research methods
Examination
Case studies
Critical reading
Case study report
Discussions
Critical analysis and application
Presentation
Role play/simulation
Synthesis
Study visit report
Self and peer assessment
Evaluation
Dissertation
Through repetition of these university study methods, you will develop the skills and approaches needed to succeed at the postgraduate level while becoming confident, comfortable and competent in Academic and Maritime English.
ESSP teaching materials and tasks • are authentic and purposeful • simulate Master’s level tasks • combine maritime content with language and study skills • target individual language needs • promote collaborative learning through group work • acknowledge different learning styles and approaches • encourage critical thinking • provide transferable skills for postgraduate study and beyond • promote active learning by building knowledge and skills through assignments • encourage sharing of academic, professional and cultural knowledge and experience • to enhance your own learning as well as that of your classmates
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Expert Academic Lecturers The ESSP Lecturers are highly qualified professionals dedicated to delivering a high standard of instruction. All of our lecturers take pride in providing extensive individual support and feedback to help you achieve your learning goals. Associate Professor Clive Cole is Director of the ESSP and has been a WMU faculty member since 1984. Internationally recognized within his field of expertise, he has written over 40 papers on Maritime English and MET-related subjects. Clive is the Honorary Secretary of the International Maritime Lecturers Association & Chair of IMLA’s International Maritime English Conference. Lecturer Anne Pazaver has been involved in the ESSP as a lecturer as well as a curriculum and educational materials designer since 2002. She is also involved in instructor training having contributed to the design and delivery of a number of Professional Development Courses (PDCs) held at WMU. Her areas of interest include curriculum design and development, assessment, academic writing and instructor training.
ESSP Lecturer: Inger Battista
ESSP Lecturer: Danita Medina
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Academic Writing Written assignments and examinations are the prime assessment tools at universities. Understanding the key features of English academic writing, and developing strategies to express your ideas effectively, is essential for academic and professional success.
Aims
Research Project
Develop an understanding of the: • conventions of English academic • writing • skills and strategies needed to • produce effective academic writing at • the Master’s level
Learning Outcomes Upon completion, participants should be able to: • • • • •
understand and produce texts that meet the requirements of academic patterns of organization including description, cause and effect, and argument
• organize an essay effectively at the • macro level (introduction, thesis, • body, conclusion, paragraphing) • • • •
develop an understanding of, and work through, the process approach to writing including brainstorming, planning, drafting and revision
• read, critically analyse, summarize, • and synthesize texts to generate and • support writing • paraphrase and summarize to avoid • plagiarism • use the APA style of referencing • appropriately and consistently • identify and address common • language and style errors
“Writing is an exploration. You start from nothing and you learn as you go.” E.L. Doctorow
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What is it? Working through the steps of writing an academic research paper including: • • • • •
identifying a research question note-taking, synthesizing and paraphrasing from different source materials to generate and support your writing
• writing a thesis statement • creating an outline • writing a research paper draft • revisiting a draft based on • feedback • using the APA style of • referencing appropriately to • avoid plagiarism Why do it? To develop an understanding of the research process so you are prepared to engage confidently in academic and/or professional research writing.
Writing Projects What are they? Writing projects simulate the academic writing process. They focus on activities such as analysing authentic academic texts. This helps you to develop your skills in written academic communication. Why do them? To make your own academic writing appropriate. Understanding the conventions of such writing helps you to produce texts that are clear, cohesive and writer responsible at the sentence, paragraph and essay level.
Free Writing What is it? Writing continuously for a specified period of time, on a topic of your choice, without thinking about grammar, spelling, or organization. Why do it? Free writing allows you to write without worrying about being correct. It challenges you to go beyond simple sentence structures and vocabulary that are “safe� in order to improve your written fluency.
Language Awareness Activities What are they? Grammar and style exercises that target areas you need to improve in your writing. Why do them? To identify your common mistakes so you can correct them and focus on improving further aspects of your writing. 7
Speaking / Presentation Skills The Speaking and Presentation Skills curriculum combines activities that promote discovery of effective presentation skills with tasks that allow you to apply your newfound knowledge. Study and analysis of lectures and presentation components will aid you in the planning, preparation and delivery of your own academic presentations. Successful academic communication is further promoted through activities that provide the language skills and confidence to take part in discussions, seminars and idea exchanges, as well as to ask and answer questions. Voice Recordings
Aims To develop: • confidence to speak in a variety of • academic and social contexts • • • • • •
effective communication skills for discussions, debates and seminars in the academic context skills and strategies required to prepare and deliver effective academic presentations at the Master’s level
Learning Objectives Upon completion, participants should be able to: • plan, prepare and deliver an effective • academic presentation
What are they? You listen to, and shadow, voice recordings focusing on different aspects of pronunciation and fluency. You then record your own voice and submit the recording to your teacher or colleagues for feedback.
• identify, evaluate and synthesize • appropriate source materials • • • •
Seminars and Simulations
demonstrate effective use of verbal and non-verbal presentation strategies including word and sentence stress, pausing and pacing, and body language
What are they? Individuals or small groups research one aspect of a topic, or one perspective on an issue, in order to prepare and present their findings or positions. Issues are discussed and participants contribute questions, ideas and opinions, possibly negotiating a resolution to a problem.
• develop, present and critique visuals to • accompany oral presentations • participate constructively in group • presentations, seminars and simulations • • • •
identify and address weaknesses in oral English communication including pronunciation, word and sentence stress, and fluency
“Make sure you have finished speaking before your audience has finished listening.” Dorothy Sarnoff 8
Why do them?
To improve clarity of communication, it is helpful to practice a variety of speech components such as intonation, word stress, chunking and other aspects of fluency. Shadow speaking is an effective way to develop a natural rhythm to your speech. Recording your speech and playing it back will allow you to identify areas of your fluency that can be improved.
Why do them? Engaging in debate and critical argument with others develops critical thinking skills. Addressing issues as a group develops collaboration and negotiation skills. Constructive participation in seminars also builds effective communication and listening skills.
Presentations What are they? Preparation and delivery of individual or group presentations that increase in length and complexity. Topics may include: • an aspect of your culture • results of a survey or • questionnaire • useful information for new • WMU students • an academic article • a current maritime issue
Why do them?
In both academic and professional contexts, you are often expected to research, prepare, structure and deliver formal presentations. Working through this process and practicing presentation skills in the ESSP can help you develop the confidence and communication skills necessary to deliver successful presentations in your academic programme and beyond.
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Thematic Integrated Skills Thematic Integrated Skills (TIS) is a content-based learning course that addresses the four main language skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking. Within a number of thematic units, the aim is to develop and practice language and academic skills while learning about various topics considered relevant to your academic and professional experience, including: • • • • •
Study Skills Cultural Aspects The International Maritime Organization (IMO) The Marine Environment Maritime Security
TIS Learning activities and tasks are based on current maritime-related issues and events, and teaching materials are based on authentic maritime sources including articles, newspapers, websites, videos and your professional experience. Seminar
Aims To develop: • an understanding of the academic study • skills and strategies needed to be a • successful student at the Master’s level • the ability to perform academic tasks at • the Master’s level • proficiency in the four language skills: • reading, writing, listening and speaking
Learning Outcomes Upon completion, participants should be able to: • demonstrate critical reading skills and • respond critically to a text
What is it? Each student in a small group reads a different academic article. You take notes on your article and then present it to a small group. Following the presentation, you write a brief summary of your article. Why do it?
This activity incorporates a number of skills that are important for study at the post-graduate level including group work, note-taking, presenting and summarizing. When presenting information to a group, you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses with regard to these skills as well as learn from your classmates.
• enhance academic and maritime related • vocabulary and apply strategies for dealing • with unfamiliar vocabulary
Reading Report
• write effective summaries of texts and • graphically summarize texts and lectures • participate constructively in seminars and • information sharing groups • demonstrate effective listening skills • make useful and purposeful notes from • texts and lectures
“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.” Edmund Burke 10
What is it? You read an article connected to the topic of a thematic unit and then write a brief summary of the article along with a critical response which may include questions, opinions, or critical observations on the content, organization, or writing style. Why do it?
Engaging critically with texts to identify assumptions and evaluate arguments is an essential academic skill and precursor to successful academic writing.
Reading Tasks What are they? A variety of reading tasks are introduced and practiced in the TIS course, including: • reading challenge: scanning • a text to find answers to • multiple choice questions • • • • •
reading comprehension: using skimming and scanning strategies to answer a variety of questions related to a specific text
• reading speed: timed reading • of a text with comprehension • questions
Why do them?
To understand different text genres and allow you to develop and practice various reading strategies that will maximize your reading effectiveness, collaboration and negotiation skills. Constructive participation in seminars also builds effective communication and listening skills.
Information Sharing What is it? Familiarizing yourself with one aspect of a larger topic, then joining an expert group with other participants that have learned the same topics. After discussing the material and brainstorming the best way to present it, you join a new group and share / teach your aspect of the topic in a way that provides every member of the new group with a complete understanding of the larger topic. Why do it?
Information sharing activities develop teamwork and collaborative learning skills. Teaching a topic to other participants requires effective communication skills as well as the ability to understand and orally summarize a written or oral text.
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World Maritime University, PO Box 500, S 20124 Malmรถ, Sweden wmu.se I +46 40 35 63 00 MSc@wmu.se For more information please visit wmu.se/essp INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION
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