Swinburne University of Technology

SWINBURNE COLLEGE

Course Information Booklet 2014 General English, Level 2

General English Level 2 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology

Updated March 2014

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Welcome to GE Level 2 This course information booklet will explain the aims of the course, your tests/tasks and important information to help you in your studies.

Aims The aim of this course is to improve your everyday English language skills. You will develop these through a range of activities to help you improve Writing, Reading, Listening, Speaking, Pronunciation and Grammar skills.

Modes of Study You will study English language in the classroom and by using computers (E-learning).

Content At the end of this course you will be able to:

Writing/Grammar

Plan, write and edit descriptive paragraphs on familiar topics Write simple and compound sentences

Reading

Read everyday texts for main ideas and specific information

Use skimming and scanning techniques to better understand texts

Use texts to build vocabulary related to familiar topics and personal interests

Listening

Listen to and understand situations about real life and personal experiences

Use simple methods to listen for main ideas and key words Understand basic spoken texts, remember and discuss information

Speaking

Participate in short and long conversations using simple vocabulary and grammar

Use appropriate pronunciation, stress, intonation, linking words and body language

General English Level 2 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology

Updated March 2014

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Assessment Overview

You will have tests/tasks in all skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, Grammar and Study Skills. Your teachers will give you more information about each one.

Assessment Methods You will have continuous assessment tasks and end of level tests in each skill area. You will get advice from your teachers and help with your progress when needed.

% Assessments Weighting %

Listening 20 Listening Quiz – Week 5 50

Listening Test – Week 10 50

Reading 20 Graded Reader – Weeks 1-9 30

Reading Test – Week 5 30

Reading Test – Week 10 40

Writing 20 Weekly Writing Folio – Weeks 1-9 40

Writing Test – Week 5 30

Writing Test – Week 10 30

Speaking 20 Presentation – Week 5 40

Interaction – Week 10 60

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

General English Level 2 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology

Updated March 2014

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Student Responsibilities

Assessment

You must finish all tests/tasks

To progress to week 6 of your course you must have completed all the assessment tasks satisfactorily for Weeks 1 – 5. If you missed assessment tasks with no valid reason, you will be required to repeat weeks 1 – 5.

If you scored very low marks in weeks 1-5 you will also be required to repeat. This will be decided by the Academic Program Manager in consultation with the class teachers.

To move to GE3 you must get an overall score of 60% with all skill areas 55% or greater

To move to EAP3 you must get an overall score of 80% with all skill areas 75% or greater

If you miss any tests/ tasks because you are sick, you must get a medical certificate within 72 hours after the test to do it at another time

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 must attend at least 80% or more classes to finish this 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

General English Level 2 – Swinburne College – Swinburne University of Technology

Updated March 2014

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hour of independent study on Blackboard

You can use Blackboard at home or in the ILC