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RSCH20002 - English for Research

General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit aims to provide masters and doctoral Research higher degree (RHD) students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully communicate in English. You will become familiar with the academic skills required for effective reading, writing, listening and spoken English. The assessment in this unit will align with individual goals and have direct correlation to your own research. The assessment supports the development of advanced skills and confidence in using English for academic purposes at CQUniversity. This unit will be available to any candidate studying a Research Higher Degree (i.e. masters by research or doctoral level study), and is particularly suited to candidates from non-English speaking backgrounds, be those either domestic or international enrolments. Candidates can self-select to enrol in this unit, or may be asked to do so under direction of their Supervisory Panel or Research Division.

Details

Level Postgraduate
Unit Level Not Applicable
Credit Points
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 1
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites There are no pre-requisites for the unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Class Timetable View Unit Timetable
Residential School No Residential School

Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2018

Term 1 - 2018 Profile
Distance
Term 2 - 2018 Profile
Distance
Term 1 - 2019 Profile
Distance
Term 2 - 2019 Profile
Distance
Term 3 - 2019 Profile
Online
Term 1 - 2020 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2020 Profile
Online
Term 3 - 2020 Profile
Online
Term 1 - 2021 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2021 Profile
Online
Term 3 - 2021 Profile
Online
Term 1 - 2022 Profile
Online
Term 2 - 2022 Profile
Online
Term 3 - 2022 Profile
Term 1 - 2023 Profile
Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Portfolio 0%
2. Presentation 0%
3. Written Assessment 0%

This is a pass/fail (non-graded) unit. To pass the unit, you must pass all of the individual assessment tasks shown in the table above.

Past Exams

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Previous Feedback

Term 1 - 2019 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 4.5 (on a 5 point Likert scale), based on a 75% response rate.

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Resources and links were useful and supported written and oral communication skills.
Recommendation
Continue to provide useful resources to improve the students' skills and confidence in their written and oral expression.
Action Taken
At the end of each term, resources are modified and enhanced to suit the candidates' learning needs.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Assessments were clearly explained and unit coordinator provided feedback that assisted learning.
Recommendation
Keep assessment structure and continue to provide clear, constructive feedback to improve the students' use of English for academic purposes.
Action Taken
Assessments are based on authentic tasks so candidates can see links to their own RHD study areas and transfer skills to real world tasks.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Students requested additional information that would benefit RHD candidates.
Recommendation
Ensure students are subscribed to research emails lists and know how to access Research Moodle. Encourage students to attend Research Intensive and other RHD workshops.
Action Taken
Throughout 12 week unit, encourage and support students to be connected and engaged in other RHD activities and connect to RHD mentors for additional support.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Students appreciated unit targeting the research higher degree candidates, in particular students from the non-English speaking countries.
Recommendation
Continue to provide feedback that supports RHD candidates at different language competency levels and tailored towards the student’s unique area of research.
Action Taken
Differentiated resources are developed when required to meet the needs of individual candidates.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Students identified Moodle site is easy to navigate, however some dates and information were not updated.
Recommendation
Ensure the unit resources and dates on Moodle are current with each term.
Action Taken
initial errors in early terms have now been corrected.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
The course provided what was expected, some courses miss the mark, not this one.
Recommendation
Create teaching and learning activities that support RHD candidates from diverse backgrounds and tailor the activities to enhance the candidate’s unique area of research.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
The unit really addresses the need of international students. It answers the questions that we come across during our writing. The pool of resources on the moodle site is very helpful.
Recommendation
Provide feedback that supports RHD candidates at different language competency levels and specifically supporting students from non-English speaking backgrounds.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Student interaction and resources shared were very useful. Having all the information from the unit on Moodle was helpful.
Recommendation
Encourage students to engage and interact during ZOOM sessions and ensure the unit resources on Moodle are updated and relevant.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
More information on basic grammar, sentence structure and writing presentation. More time spent on thesis writing and article writing.
Recommendation
Provide additional resources to improve the students' writing skills and confidence in basic grammar, syntax and academic writing.
Action Taken
Nil.
Source: Unit Evaluation
Feedback
Course does not focus on listening and speaking enough.
Recommendation
Provide more resources to improve the students' skills and confidence in their listening and oral expression. Encourage students to attend RHD workshops around oration skills.
Action Taken
Nil.
Unit learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Articulate the process of acculturation and the different contexts required when communicating using English
  2. Utilise a range of active listening skills when doing research and project work
  3. Apply critical and analytical reading skills to areas of research
  4. Design and deliver an oral presentation incorporating English verbal and non-verbal cues
  5. Apply English language conventions, punctuation and grammar fundamentals to written texts.

There is no relevant external accreditation.

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Portfolio
2 - Presentation
3 - Written Assessment
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Advanced Level
Professional Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Portfolio
3 - Written Assessment
2 - Presentation