The course Brush Up Your English is designed for UniSey staff who want to improve their English grammar and writing skills. It caters for both foreign and local employees who use English as a tool of academic and administrative interaction. The course consists of 20 modules which focus on some challenging aspects of English grammar and writing applicable in university academic communication and administrative procedures.
As a result of their participation in this course, it is anticipated that the learners will be able to:
Topic |
Learning Outcomes |
Unit 1: Grammar and Vocabulary Focus |
|
| Module 1.1: Subject-predicate agreement | Formulate the rules of subject-predicate agreement and apply the knowledge of these rules in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.2: Commonly confused words | Differentiate between homonyms and close sounding words and make informed choices in using them in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.3: Infinitives | Formulate the rule of using bare Infinitive. Differentiate between Infinitive phrase and Infinitive construction. Differentiate between different Infinitive forms and use them expertly in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.4: Gerunds | Differentiate between different Gerund forms and use them expertly to express relevant meaning. Identify the difference between Infinitives and Gerunds with certain verbs. |
| Module 1.5: Problems with prepositions | Demonstrate knowledge of some challenging prepositional patterns and apply this knowledge in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.6: Modal Verbs | Identify the relevant modal verb to be used to express different aspects of modality. |
| Module 1.7: Moods | Identify the relevant mood form to be used to express different aspects of modality. |
| Module 1.8: Sequence of Tenses and Reported Speech | Demonstrate knowledge of Sequence of Tenses and Reported Speech rules and apply them in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.9: Passive | Differentiate between active and passive structures. Identify cases to use passive structures. Differentiate between passive tense forms and use them competently in speech and writing. |
| Module 1.10: Sentences and Clauses | Differentiate between clauses types. Identify the proper connective. |
Unit 2: Writing Skills |
|
| Module 2.1: Punctuation | Formulate the rules of using comma, colon, semicolon and dash. Apply the knowledge in written production. |
| Module 2.2: Capitalization | Formulate the rules of capitalization. Apply the knowledge in written production. |
| Module 2.3: Contractions | Identify the main cases and rules for contractions. Apply the knowledge in written production. |
| Module 2.4: Numbers | Formulate the rules of representing the numbers in writing. Apply the knowledge in written production. |
| Module 2.5: E-mails | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of e-mail writing. |
| Module 2.6: Taking and making notes | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of taking and making notes. |
| Module 2.7: Minutes | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of minute taking. |
| Module 2.8: Memos | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of writing memos. |
| Module 2.9: Official letters | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of writing official letters. |
| Module 2.10: Reports | Demonstrate knowledge of the main principles and techniques of writing reports. |
Form |
Weight |
| Class participation | 80% |
| Assignments | 20% |
20 hours contact time
BOWDEN, J. Writing a Report: How to Prepare, Write and Present Really Effective Reports
CRYSTAL, D. Language and the Internet (Cambridge University Press, 2017)
EASTWOOD, J. Oxford Guide to English Grammar (Oxford University Press, 2002)
FOWLER, A. The Little Brown Handbook: Eleventh Edition. (London: Longman, 2010)
FROMKIN, V., et al. An Introduction to Language (Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011)
HAMP-LYONS, L., HEASLEY, B. Study Writing (Cambridge University Press 2009)
KANE, T.S. The New Oxford Guide to Writing
STRAUS, J. The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (JOSSEY-BASS, 2008)
SWALES J. M., FEAK Ch. B. Academic Writing for Graduate Students (The University of Michigan Press, 2013)
SWAN, M. Practical English Usage (Oxford University press 2002)
TURK, Ch., KIRKMAN, J. Effective Writing (London and New York: Spon Press, 1996)
WATERS, M. A.WATERS Study Tasks in English (Cambridge University Press, 2009)
University of Bristol (2002-2005). Improve your writing. Available at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_41.htm
Massey University (2007). Student learning development: Academic writing. Available at http://owll.massey.ac.nz/pdf/Academic-Writing-Guide.pdf
Mrs Annie Laurette
Head of Department
Languages and Media
Anse Royale
P.O. Box 1348
Mahé, Seychelles
+248 4381222
