Foundation Course
Intensive Reading
Foundation programs are designed for those students who need skills at a bachelor degree level. The courses (in some schools and colleges they are also called modules or subjects) in such programs are designed to meet students' practical communicative needs in an academic environment. One of the most important courses in a foundation program is Intensive Reading Skills.
FOUNDATION 1 (Semester 1)
Intensive Reading Skills
Module Code: F1-IRS
Credit Points: 10
Prerequisites:
(1) High School Certificate.
(2) Placement Test: 30 points or higher.
Aims
The module aims to
(1) equip students with basic reading strategies;
(2) enable students to achieve fluency in the areas of vocabulary recognition and reading comprehension skills;
(3) develop the culture of reading and critical thinking skills.
Content
Unit 1. Reading Strategies - 1
Using a variety of basics before, during and after reading strategies for comprehension of text. Initial ‘global’ understanding of text; using prior knowledge about topic; understanding gist/main idea. Identification of a topic sentence and supporting ideas. Skimming and scanning. Identification of key vocabulary; word recognition strategies; developing dictionary usage skills. Framing and answering questions.
Unit 2. Reading Strategies - 2
Using a variety of reading strategies for comprehension of text. Identifying connections among ideas that involve examples, comparison/contrast, cause and effect. Interacting with a variety of texts for different purposes; deducing meaning from context; identifying synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, multiple meanings of words.
Unit 3. Reading Strategies - 3
Using advanced reading strategies and critical thinking skills. Guessing and predicting. Distinguishing fact from fiction; using inference; understanding the author’s purpose. Distinguishing a variety of text types and genres; interpreting a variety of question types.
Unit 4. Extensive Reading Component
Self-selection of texts for extensive reading. Maintaining a log with details of reading accomplished each week.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this module the student will be able to
(1) demonstrate an ability to use both intensive and extensive reading strategies;
(2) identify and interpret the main and supporting ideas of a text;
(3) guess and predict the content of a text;
(4) infer meaning of a text;
(5) distinguish facts from opinions;
(6) be aware of the various purposes of reading;
(7) demonstrate a positive attitude toward reading a variety of texts;
(8) show an improvement in the area of vocabulary recognition.
Assessment
The module will be evaluated for a total of 100 marks of which 70 marks will be based on continuous assessment and 30 marks will be based on the end-semester examination.
Module Delivery
In-class lectures, group discussions and interviews.
Teaching Tools and Learning Resources
Handbook, handouts provided by the tutor, books, magazines, journals or newspapers selected by students; online materials.
Regulations and Requirements
Each student must fulfill the following requirements of the Intensive Reading Skills course:
(1) Students need to spend approximately 6 hours per week for self-study. Self-study includes preparation for intensive reading classes, as well as extensive reading of articles, books, etc. on any topic.
(2) Every student must keep a log which shows how much the student read every week and must demonstrate that s/he understood what s/he read. The log must be kept in the prescribed format.
(3) Students must be prepared to discuss what they have read with the tutor. These meetings will take place every second week. The class will be divided into two groups and each group will meet the tutor on alternate weeks for a face-to-face discussion.
(4) Students must show the teacher the book/article they are currently reading. If it is online, they need to print and show the hard copy.
(5) Attend all classes regularly. Students should be mindful that if they are not in class, for any reason, they miss important schoolwork and are not able to participate in their class's ongoing educational activities. This may be reflected in students' grades. If a student misses more than three classes without a clear reason she/he will not be allowed to continue the course without a special permission from the College administration.
(6) Students are not allowed to walk or chat loudly with each other during the lesson without a teacher’s permission. If a student ignores the teacher’s remarks, uses offensive words or offensive body language, leaves the classroom early and without the teacher’s permission, is late for classes or insults other students and the teacher, behaves in an arrogant manner or in any other inappropriate way, the student will be severely punished including expulsion from the College. Expulsion implies that the student should not consider the College for further education.
(7) Attend all examinations. Cheating at examinations is not tolerated and students who are caught by invigilators during examination will automatically fail.
(8) The course outline is the main document of the course and the topics which are written in the course outline must be discussed in class every week. The duty of each student is to study the handouts, according to the course outline, and prepare for class discussions. The course outline is given to each student during the first week of the semester.
(9) Any additional questions or suggestions related to the above can be answered or discussed personally by your tutor during the tutorial, after the tutorial or by email. Each student who approaches the teacher by email must write their student ID number, name and the class number. Anonymous emails will not be replied.
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