Insessional/TESOL Module Information
Insessional Modules
Insessional credit-rated modules are English language modules open to students with an IELTS level of 6.5-8.0. This makes them idea for students who have English as a second language and would like the opportunity use some of their credits to enhance their English language skills and gain transferable skills for other modules. The modules are open to students from any discipline.
You will find this module very useful in learning how to use your English in specific academic contexts. This includes developing strategies for academic listening and note-taking, and actively helping you extend your presentation and seminar skills. You will have ample opportunities to complete practice in academic listening and speaking, and you will receive regular tutor and peer feedback on class tasks and homework. As a result, the module also offers opportunities to develop language skills that are transferable to other modules and future employability.
This module will focus on reading academic texts and writing in academic English. Students will study and develop reading strategies for academic material, including notetaking, and identifying key and subsidiary points. Students will expand their academic writing ability, focusing on structure, vocabulary and grammar, as well as how to effectively engage with sources and incorporate them into their work. The module will emphasise critical engagement and the development of a response and/or argument. The language skills and critical focus of this module should complement and enhance students’ performance in their other university modules.
Students taking this module will learn how to use their English skills effectively in business and other professional settings. This will include a range of oral contexts such as meetings, negotiations, presentations, pitching and selling, in addition to formal and informal written communication such as emails, letters, reports, proposals and social media posts. In addition to providing opportunities for students to develop and enhance their use of English for the workplace, this module will also explore the issues of using English as a global language for the workplace and reflect on the implications for its users.
World Englishes are complex, fascinating and constantly evolving. This module analyses Englishes in Western and postcolonial and non-Western contexts. Using examples from the media, arts and culture this module provides opportunities to expand your knowledge of different varieties of English, enhance your cultural competence and awareness, expand your skills for academic research and critical analysis, and develop skills in reflection, communication and teamwork.
TESOL Modules
TESOL refers to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a term that has replaced TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). The course is particularly beneficial if students are planning to go on to do a PGCE or pursue a teaching-related career. With the approval of their home College, students at the University of Exeter can take a series of optional modules in TESOL at INTO University of Exeter (15 credit module in year 1 and 30 credit modules in year 2 & final year). Whilst most students choose to do TESOL over the three years, it is possible to do any module as a stand-alone option at the appropriate level. It is not essential to have studied TESOL at Level 1 if you would like to study it at Level 2.
At this level, there is a teaching practice (peer teaching) with the focus on developing classroom presence and classroom management skills and an assignment that involves the preparation of a lesson plan and justification (1,500 words).
At this level, in term 1 there is a practically based task: peer teaching a grammar item and an assessed teaching practice of a lesson with international students. In the second term the work revolves around a major assignment: learner profile. For this you will teach three one-to-one lessons with an international student and assess their strengths and weaknesses in order to make recommendations for further study. This will then be written up as a 3,000 word assignment.
At this level, in term 1 you will observe lessons taught by experienced teachers in an English Language Teaching context and keep an observation journal including a 1,000-word reflective essay. A major component of term 2 is your teaching practice. This will involve designing and team teaching a series of current issues lessons for a group of international students using authentic materials. There is also a 3,000 word assignment which involves examining your beliefs about teaching and learning and combining experience with theory.