Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

EU50566 Description of the English language

Credits: 9

Level: Masters

Modular: no specific semester

Semester: 1

Assessment: CW 100%

Requisites:

In taking this unit you cannot take EU50545 and take EU50546

Aims:
* To provide students with a systematic understanding and critical awareness of theories and concepts in relation to grammatical aspects of language and to language in use, using research which is at the leading edge;
* To develop in students a comprehensive understanding of the techniques of research and scholarship in the field of EFL;
* To develop in students a more critical awareness and understanding of their own language teaching approaches and methods through an examination of the language itself, proposing - where appropriate - new hypotheses.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this unit the student will be able to:
* Identify systematically and creatively the kinds of linguistic knowledge that all language users possess;
* Critically analyse informal spoken and formal (written and spoken) discourse, including ethnography of communication and pragmatics, in terms of linguistic theory, demonstrating originality and self-direction;
* Communicate to specialist and non-specialist audiences the pedagogical implications of discourse theories;
* Demonstrate that they have advanced their knowledge and understanding and developed their critical skills to a high level.
Skills:
The following key skills will be facilitated, so that by the end of this unit students will be better able to:
* structure and communicate ideas effectively orally;
* manage time and work to deadlines;
* participate effectively in groups;
* assess the relevance and importance of the ideas of others;
* evaluate their own performance critically;
* manage personal and professional development and learning.
The following key skills are also assessed, so students will be able to demonstrate, through their assignment, that they are able to:
* reason critically;
* evaluate information critically;
* synthesise information form a variety of sources and identify connections;
* analyse and interpret;
* demonstrate and exercise independent thought;
* structure and communicate ideas effectively in writing.
Content:
The unit will address the following areas; some of these will be individual sessions while others will be themes combined in one session or appearing across more than one session:
* Definition of grammar;
* Morphology;
* Syntax;
* Phrase Structure Grammar;
* Semantics;
* Phonetics and Phonology;
* Stress and intonation;
* Spoken discourse;
* Formal discourse;
* Style, context and register.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07