Associate Degree / Higher Diploma Programmes
2024-2025 (Semester 2)
CCEN4004
English for Academic Purposes I
Course Syllabus
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1. Course Description
This course equips students with the basic skills required for various academic purposes.
2. Objectives
Reading
▪ To introduce the register of academic writing.
▪ To develop critical reading skills.
Writing
▪ To build up a repertoire of vocabulary and sentence structures for academic writing.
▪ To advance students’ ability to paraphrase and summarise.
▪ To introduce the proper formats of referencing required in academic research.
Speaking
▪ To advance students’ oral presentation skills in academic situations.
▪ To equip students with better skills while handling questions in an oral presentation.
▪ To advance students’ ability to give explanations and express opinions.
Listening
▪ To further improve students’ skills in notetaking and registering relevant and important
information in spoken academic contexts.
▪ To advance students’ ability to engage better in group discussions or meetings.
3. Intended Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
ILO1. use English accurately, effectively and confidently in academic settings;
ILO2. apply summarising and paraphrasing skills in academic writing;
ILO3. provide in-text citations and prepare a reference list using the APA referencing style;
ILO4. produce a referenced essay;
ILO5. present their referenced essay in a professional manner.
4. Teaching and Learning Methods
This course is based on an interactive teaching methodology. The weekly lessons will be conducted
in the form of student-centred workshops rather than teacher-guided lectures. Communicative
activities, such as pair work and group discussions will take place frequently. Students are expected
to perform various writing tasks in preparation for discussion and other communicative activities in
class.
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5 Teaching Schedule
Lecture Theme Remarks
1 Course Introduction & Review
2 Academic Style
3 Academic Genres
4 Critical Reading
5 Paraphrasing Skills Introduce Assignment 1
6 Summarising Skills
7 The Importance of Referencing & Sign Generative AI Disclaimer Forms
Avoiding Plagiarism
8 Writing a Good Summary
9 Summary Writing Assignment (Mock) Peer Review & Discussion (In-Class)
10 Assignment 1 Assignment 1:
In-Class Summary Writing
11 Sources of Information Introduce Assignment 2
12 Understanding Journal Articles
13 Argumentative Essay
14 Discursive Writing
15 Thesis Statement and Topic Sentence
16 Grammar for Writing (Linking Words)
17 Grammar for Writing Introduce Assignment 3
(Sentence Construction)
18 Critical Writing
19 Presentation Skills 1 Assignment 2: Research Essay due
20 Presentation Skills 2 Self-Directed Learning due
21-24 Assessment 3 Assignment 3:
In-Class Individual Presentation
6. Assessments
Name Description Weight Date
Summary Students are required to write a summary 30% Lecture 10
(200-250 words) based on an academic article. This is an in-
class assessment that must be completed
within 1 hr 15 minutes
Research Essay Students are required to cite three 25% Lecture 19
(600-700 words) academic sources in their essay, where
they need to summarise and paraphrase
key ideas from these texts. Students also
need to demonstrate their ability to
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compare and contrast these key ideas,
before drawing their own conclusion.
Individual Students will concisely present the key 30% Lecture 21-24
Presentation arguments of their referenced essay in 4
(5 mins) minutes, and then give appropriate
responses in a 1-minute Question and
Answer session.
Class Students are assessed throughout the 10% Whole Course
Participation course on active participation and
interaction during the lessons.
Self-directed Online quizzes require students to read 5% Lecture 20
Learning research articles similar to the ones they
are writing for this course.
Remarks: If there is any discrepancy found between the In-Class Summary Writing (Assignment 1)
and the Research Essay (Assignment 2), students will be given a mark penalty on their essay because
of plagiarism.
7. Penalties for Late Submission of Assignments 1 and 2.
Up to 24 hours late: marks deduction equivalent to one letter grade
(e.g. B+ becomes C+)
2 – 7 days late: highest possible mark of 50%
(i.e. you receive half of the on-time marks)
8 – 14 days late: highest possible mark of 10%
(i.e. you receive 10% of the on-time marks)
15 or more days late: 0 marks, but feedback will be given
8. Grade Descriptors
A: Demonstrates a solid understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended Learning
Outcomes, suggesting a strong capacity for independent study.
B: Demonstrates a reasonable understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting some capacity for independent study.
C: Demonstrates an incomplete understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended
Learning Outcomes, suggesting a limited capacity for independent study.
D: Demonstrates a weak understanding of the subject and achievement of the Intended Learning
Outcomes, suggesting little capacity for independent study.
F: Demonstrates little or no knowledge of the subject and achievement of the Intended Learning
Outcomes, suggesting very little capacity for independent study.
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