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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : Literature, Languages and Cultures

Undergraduate Course: English for School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA) (LLLG07156)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits0 ECTS Credits0
SummaryESALA is a six-week, full-time course for international students. It aims to develop academic language and literacies in preparation for entry to postgraduate degree programmes in the subject area of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. The course will support students' progression onto a range of postgraduate programmes, such as Advanced Sustainable Design, Architectural Theory, and Landscape and Well-being.
Course description Broadly, ESALA provides opportunities to perform academic activities typical of the subject area in a supported environment.

Key aims of ESALA are:
- to build confidence in using English to express knowledge in the subject area;
- to develop academic language and literacies skills to a level sufficient to enable successful participation in destination postgraduate programmes;
- to raise awareness of students' expectations of future programmes.

Writing: guided work on Specialist Written Assignment; sessions on Annotated Bibliography and Discipline Specific Writing focused on genres common in ESALA;
Reading: engagement with and critical evaluation of discipline specific source texts;
Speaking: a range of opportunities to practise seminar and presentation skills involving research output in various formats;
Listening: Academic lectures in the subject area, including lectures delivered by University of Edinburgh subject specialist.

Much of the above will involve preparation and practice for the end-of-summer, pre-sessional assessments in all four skills.

Introduction to living and studying in Edinburgh: input from and interaction with Course Organisers, subject specialists and students; exploring Edinburgh locations - non-funded activity - such as museums (e.g. National Museum of Scotland), cultural heritage and artistic sites of interest (e.g. Jupiter Artland, Talbott Rice Gallery) for the purpose of primary research for final week conference on ESALA.

ESALA provides extensive opportunities for working with peers, ELE teachers, and University of Edinburgh students and academics. There is also independent study, including engaging with academic texts, tasks and additional digital materials.
Aspects of course delivery:
- The course is a mix of lectures, self-study and classroom-based learning with intensive small group and whole class activities.
- There is participation in small group and 1:1 tutorial with class teacher to discuss progress.
- Written and spoken formative feedback and feedforward from both teachers and peers;
- Opportunities for developing transferable skills and autonomous learning strategies to support successful transition to the degree programme


Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Read academic texts in the subject area, making critical use of genre knowledge and strategies appropriate to their purpose.
  2. Write clearly and appropriately in genres common in the subject area, synthesizing and critically evaluating content from sources to create their argument.
  3. Understand and respond critically to academic lectures in their discipline.
  4. Use clear and appropriate English to respond critically and contribute meaningfully to group discussions and deliver academic presentations in their subject area.
  5. Reflect on and make autonomous decisions regarding their learning.
Reading List
All the materials used for delivery of the course are provided electronically, and there is no need for students to buy any books. We will also give students advice on useful online resources. However, the following recommended resources may also help in addition to course content.

Bailey, S. (2003) Academic writing. a handbook for international students. UK: Routledge.

Davies, N., and Erkki. J. (2008) Dictionary of architecture and building construction. Amsterdam: Elsevier/Architectural Press.

Harris, C. M., (2000) Dictionary of architecture and construction. 3rd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Harrison, D. (2007) A dictionary of architecture and landscape architecture. 2nd Edition. UK: Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.

Jodidio, P. (2005) Architecture now! Ko'ln: Taschen.

McCarthy, M. and O'Dell, F. (2008) Academic vocabulary in use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Paterson, K. (2013) Oxford grammar for EAP. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Swales, J. and Feak, C. (1994) Academic writing for graduate students. Michigan: University of Michigan Press.

Postgraduate Transition Courses https://www.ed.ac.uk/students/new-students/ready-university/hybrid-learning/short-courses/pg-courses

Institute for Academic Development (IAD) Study Hub
https://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/study-hub

Institute for Academic Development (IAD) workshops, resources and advice for postgraduates
https://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/postgraduate

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Enquiry and lifelong learning; aspiration and personal development; outlook and engagement; research and enquiry; personal and intellectual autonomy; personal effectiveness; communication.
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserMiss Jill Haldane
Tel: (0131 6) 51 1186
Email: Jill.Haldane@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Kameliya Skerleva
Tel: (0131 6)51 1855
Email: Kameliya.Skerleva@ed.ac.uk
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