Unit rationale, description and aim
Proficiency in the English language is fundamental to success in all areas of university study in Australia for international students, regardless of discipline. Strong communication skills and academic literacy are essential for engaging with course materials, participating in discussions, and producing high-quality academic work. This unit is designed to equip international students with the necessary language tools to thrive in their academic pursuits. This unit develops English language proficiency and essential academic study skills for students preparing to enter undergraduate courses at ACU. It focuses on building language proficiency at the sentence level and developing the ability to construct coherent academic texts. The unit also explores the differences between academic and non-academic information sources, enabling students to critically evaluate and select credible information for university-level assignments and research. The objective of the unit is to develop students' proficiency in academic English, enabling them to recognise and construct spoken and written academic texts, and apply essential study skills in a university context. By the end of the unit, students will be prepared to engage effectively with course materials and communicate impactfully in academic settings.
Campus offering
No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Develop academic English proficiency in a universi...
Learning Outcome 01
Recognise key features of spoken and written acade...
Learning Outcome 02
Apply study skills and strategies in a university ...
Learning Outcome 03
Construct spoken and written academic texts
Learning Outcome 04
Content
Topics will include:
- Building general knowledge for university
- Developing study strategies for university
- Interpreting and using different information sources
- Developing strategies to identify argument, evidence and bias in information sources
- Incorporating sources into academic work
- Developing sentence level accuracy in academic contexts
- Structuring coherent academic texts
- Engaging in meaningful classroom participation in discussions on university and contemporary topics
- The language and purpose of reflection at university
- Understanding the stages of university assignment completion
- Developing editing and review skills
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment tasks are scaffolded to facilitate foundational academic language skills development and prepare students for the types of assessments encountered in undergraduate study. They are designed to evaluate students’ understanding and application of academic English across different contexts, ensuring readiness for further academic development.
The first two assessments evaluate students' knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, and text features, providing regular feedback opportunities throughout the unit. The third assessment requires students to explore a contemporary social or academic issues, fostering the effective articulation of ideas and the ability to critically engage with significant social concerns. The final assessment builds on these skills by prompting students to analyse academic research on a contemporary issue while reflecting on the key features and value of academic information sources. This task develops critical thinking, synthesis, and referencing skills, helping students refine their writing through research and reflection.
Overview of assessments
Assessment 1: Academic language quiz 1 Stu...
Assessment 1: Academic language quiz 1
Students will show understanding of academic grammar and vocabulary and identify features of academic texts in the first half of the unit.
10%
Assessment 2: Academic language quiz 2 Students ...
Assessment 2: Academic language quiz 2
Students will expand their understanding of the academic grammar and vocabulary introduced in the first half of the unit and demonstrate comprehension of both the language concepts and content covered in the second half.
20%
Assessment 3: Speaking task Students will ...
Assessment 3: Speaking task
Students will discuss an issue from contemporary society.
35%
Assessment 4: Writing task Students will a...
Assessment 4: Writing task
Students will analyse simple academic texts on a contemporary issue and contrast them to non-academic sources
35%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
This unit facilitates an active, multi-modal approach to learning that emphasises student engagement and collaboration. Workshops are student-centred with activities designed to maximise interaction in and with English in diverse academic contexts. Through collaborative tasks and peer engagement, students will develop confidence and fluency in using academic English.
Active participation in workshops and assigned activities is essential for achieving the learning outcomes. Students are encouraged to draw on their previous experiences with English and are supported in applying this knowledge to new academic settings, fostering deeper learning and skill development.