PHYM301 Language Proficiency

2007-2008

Code: PHYM301
Title: Language Proficiency
Instructors: Foreign Language Centre and Staff of Foreign Host Institution
CATS credits: 30
ECTS credits: 15
Availability: Physics programmes with European study only
Level: M
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: -
Duration: Semesters I and II
Directed Study Time: Not applicable
Private Study Time: Not applicable
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: not applicable

Aims

Students on programmes F302 and F322 are resident abroad in Europe during two semesters, where they are expected to take standard physics courses and develop their language skills. Students will develop the particular skills required to understand and use the written and spoken language of their host country as used in general, academic and technical contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• Advance their linguistic competence independently.
• Demonstrate a command of the wide range of structures, vocabulary and idiom of the language of the host country which is required to read, write and talk about the topics and situations encountered during their year abroad.

Discipline Specific Skills

• Engage critically with foreign language media and use these as resources for independent research.
• Improve their ability to communicate in the language of the host country language.

Personal and Key Skills

• Make progress through developing skills of self-study and application;
• Enhance their capacity to initiate and maintain interpersonal contact with persons from their host country;
• Deepen their awareness of the culture and and institutions of their host country;
• Communicate information and arguments of considerable complexity in the language of the host country and express and defend opinions on a wide range of current and abstract issues.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Immersion in cultural and academic environment of host country; self-study and/or language courses offered by the host institution.

Assignments

One assessed essay, one oral presentation.

Assessment

One 60-90 minute examination (25%), one listening comprehension (25%), one 2000 word essay (or equivalent) in the foreign language (25%), one oral presentation in the foreign language and one oral examination (25%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

Students will normally take language courses at the host institution but the assessment will be conducted by the Foreign Language Centre in Exeter. The assessed essay will compare and contrast the students' experience of University in England and in the host country and must be submitted by week 24.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Not applicable

Formative Mechanisms

Follows host institution's conventions

Evaluation Mechanisms

In addition to using the host institution's systems, students can raise any matters of concern with the Stage 3 Study Abroad Co-ordinator.