EF0300 - Reading Skills (ESF)

What will I learn on this module?

This module will focus on developing your academic reading skills using a range of texts, in addition to a deeper understanding of the elements that make up English academic texts including, but not exclusive to, structure and cohesion, and vocabulary and grammar.

Reading skills are taught using the context of ‘Global Issues’, with the focus on a different topic every one/two weeks.

How will I learn on this module?

Using carefully selected texts, you will learn reading techniques through top-down and bottom-up approaches, focusing on organisation of ideas (skimming, scanning) and discrete language items (reading for detail, vocabulary and grammar) respectively.

As well as understanding of the text, the module aims to develop an appreciation of the structure of English academic writing, with the aim of helping you develop your own academic writing skills.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will have access to texts and materials on the module Blackboard site.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Develop appropriate reading strategies that allow you to understand the organisation of text, including arguments, author’s stance and paragraph formation
2. Develop a greater understanding of academic vocabulary, grammar structures, style and register
3. Identify the genre of the text, and evaluate its appropriateness for use as an academic source

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
4. The ability to:
• Summarise sections of a text
• Offer your own opinions of the arguments and/or evidence presented in the text
• Discuss, using evidence from the text
• Prepare a presentation based on your reading

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. A deeper understanding of current global issues facing the world today

How will I be assessed?

There will be a two-hour exam at the end of the semester. The text used in the exam will be one of the texts you have seen during the semester, although you will not know in advance which text this will be.

You will complete several tasks designed to check if you have met the learning outcomes, including:
• summarising a section of the text
• comprehension questions
• multiple choice
• vocabulary exercises such as gap-fill, matching words to definitions, completing tables, etc.

Tasks will be similar to those practised throughout the semester. However, not all skills can be formally tested as tasks will depend on the type of text chosen. (All MLOs)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is designed to enable you to develop your academic reading skills to a level appropriate to university study in a variety of discipline areas.
The module introduces current global issues which are of relevance to all students during their studies and also for living and working in a global society in the future. You will read a variety of texts, such as research articles, text books, and magazine/newspaper articles.
As well as understanding of the text, the module aims to develop a grounding in the critical evaluation of a text, its arguments, evidence and sources, as well as effective reading strategies to aid you in managing large volumes of reading on your target degree programme. This analysis of the text in the module will also help you to develop your own academic writing skills.

Course info

Credits 0

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 6 weeks or one semester full-time

Department Social Sciences

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start June 2025 or July 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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