LANGTCHG 754 : English for Specific Purposes

Arts

2020 Semester One (1203) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Considers theory and practice in developing language courses to meet the specific academic or work-related needs of adult learners. In particular, it focuses on analysis of target communication, needs analysis, issues and methodologies in ESP and ESP research. Uses the example of English for Specific Purposes but is relevant to the teaching of other languages for specific purposes as well.

Course Overview

The course begins with an examination of major theoretical aspects of ESP including key concepts, such as language varieties and discourse communities. The two main topics in the first half of the course are needs analysis and research of specialist discourse. We examine the role of needs analysis and consider critical as well as procedural aspects of the topic. In dealing with the topic of specialist discourse, focus is given to the importance of authentic texts and the relevance of genre and corpus based approaches to investigation. Content in the second half of the course focuses on course and materials development. Topics here include teaching methodologies for ESP and perspectives on assessment in ESP as well as discussion of key issues concerning the delivery of ESP courses including the pragmatic/critical debate, narrow/wide angled course design and teacher subject-matter expertise. Classes include lecture content and class discussions of the weekly set reading(s). Course participants need to prepare for classes by reading the set works and preparing responses to Study Guide Questions in advance.     

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Graduate Profile: Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of ESP (Capability 1.1 and 4.2)
  2. Understand and critically evaluate the role of analysis of needs and specialist discourse (Capability 2.1 and 4.2)
  3. Articulate and demonstrate understanding of critical perspectives, current issues and debates in the field (Capability 2.3 and 4.1)
  4. Identify and critically reflect on different approaches and issues in ESP course design (Capability 2.1, 3.1 and 4.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 100% Individual Coursework

Learning Resources

The textbook for this course is: Basturkmen, H. (2010). Developing Courses in English for Specific Purposes.  Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. There are additional set articles and chapters.   

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 24 hours of lectures including discussion of set readings,  56 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 40 hours of work on assignments.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website at http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page (https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894), which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page: https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter (https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html).

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 20/12/2019 09:37 a.m.