Study Abroad at a Partner University (with Assessment in the Foreign Language)
| Module title | Study Abroad at a Partner University (with Assessment in the Foreign Language) |
|---|---|
| Module code | SML3020 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 120 |
| Module staff | Professor Katharine Hodgson (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 1 academic year | 1 academic year | 1 academic year |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 80 |
|---|
Module description
In this module you will live and study abroad for an entire academic year: you will follow university courses in one (or two) of the countries whose language(s) you study, you will be taught and assessed by academics working in the foreign universities, and complete module assessments for modules to the value of at least 30 ECTS credits. You will have a unique opportunity to improve your knowledge of foreign cultures and languages and gain skills that equip you better for the international job market.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to:
- Enhance your awareness of the process of foreign-language acquisition and to develop strategies for more effective learning
- Develop your intercultural awareness and competence through reflection on the experience of living and studying abroad
- Increase your employability in an increasingly competitive international market
- Enhance your capacity for self-assessment through structured reflection on your experience
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Undertake study, take exams or assessed coursework at a partner University in the language of that country
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge and application of the attitudes and qualities that are required to function well in a foreign academic environment
- 3. Use appropriate grammatical structures and vocabulary in the spoken target language to analyse your experience and to respond precisely to a specific brief
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Critically evaluate the process of independent learning by reflection on and evaluation of the experience of learning abroad
- 5. Demonstrate an understanding of different language registers appropriate to different situations
- 6. Demonstrate an increased linguistic sophistication, in terms of both expression and knowledge, that will enhance your performance in final-year written and oral language work
- 7. Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the host country and a sensitivity to its culture so as to function as an integrated member of its society
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 8. Learn and self-assess independently, and draw up an action plan for development of your skills
- 9. Identify and describe strategies for adapting to studying practices in a foreign country; compare and reflect critically on those in your own country
- 10. Reflect on the ways in which your experiences of study abroad have helped you develop so as to be better placed to obtain graduate-level employment / make best use of opportunities for further study
- 11. Demonstrate a level of intercultural competence that will prepare you for employment or further study in any foreign country
Syllabus plan
Attendance for 2 semesters and completion of assessment tasks in a minimum of 30 ECTS credits worth of courses relevant to your degree (or an equivalent number of credits at universities outside the EU) at host partner university.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1200 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Placement/study abroad | 1200 | Two semesters at university abroad. Hours to include all assessment required including any independent study. Hours are approximate and may vary in individual circumstances and institutions. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Assessment and Personal Development Plan | 6 pages | 2, 4-11 | Self-assessed |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 0 | 50 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral exam | 50 | 15 minutes | 2-11 | Feedback Sheet |
| Portfolio | 50 | As prescribed by the Handbook | 2, 4-11 | Feedback on ELE |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral exam (15 minutes) | Oral exam (15 minutes) (50%) | 2-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Portfolio (As prescribed by the Handbook) | Alternative written task (1,500 words in English, reflecting on the experience of work/study abroad, and evaluating the development of skills in two of the following areas: language acquisition; intercultural competence; employability skills) (50%) | 2, 4-11 | Referral/Deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Progression from stage 3 (Year Abroad) to Stage 4 will be conditional on satisfying the requirements of the year abroad (minimum period of residence abroad, and partner university transcript confirming that assessment has been attempted in modules to the value of at least the minimum required credits) as specified in the relevant Handbook and passing the year abroad module. Students who fail to complete the year abroad or who fail a referred re-assessment of the year abroad will be required to transfer to the BA Global Cultural Studies Programme.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- R. Michael Paige et al., Maximizing Study Abroad, 2nd edn (University of Minnesota CARLA, 2002)
- Holliday, A.,Kullman, J., Hyde, M.(2010) Intercultural Communication: An Advanced Resource Book for Students, Routledge Applied Linguistics
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Key words search
Year abroad, Internship abroad, Study at a partner university
| Credit value | 120 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 60 |
| Module pre-requisites | 60 credits of core language modules in the language of the host country |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 20/12/2014 |
| Last revision date | 04/02/2025 |
