This course aims to (1) enhance the four major language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, and (2) develop students’ knowledge of vocabulary and grammar needed for basic communication in English. The general objective of the course is to prepare students to attain Level B1+ of the Common European Framework of References (CEFR). A relevant approach is taken to engage learners actively in practicing the four skills via pair or group work and other communicative activities involving various themes and issues from around the world. Blended learning mode is used in the course activities and assessments, including online quizzes, dialogues and oral presentations.

The main aim of this course is to improve students’ oral communication skills in the English language. Students are exposed to the principles and techniques of effective oral integration. They are also introduced to specific exercises in order to improve their English language pronunciation. In addition, students are taught effective strategies in communication and appropriate communicative skills to enable them to speak spontaneously and fluently. They are given the opportunities to interact in real life situations through language activities such as discussions, simulations, role plays and interviews. Moreover, they are also exposed to public speaking techniques and principles through exercises to develop their confidence and fluency in the language.

This course aims to familiarise students to the reading and writing skills and to introduce them to the types of genre in writing. They will apply the skills of skimming and scanning in reading passages, learn how to infer and paraphrase information from any given passages, and learn to identify and differentiate main ideas and supporting details of a passage. In addition, students will be taught how to develop a clear presentation of ideas in an essay. Among the aspects of writing that they will learn are the writing process, basic organisation of a typical five-paragraph essay, important elements in an essay such as thesis statement, topic sentences and supporting ideas which they will utilise when they learn the different types of genre in writing.

This module aims to equip students with the advanced skills needed for academic reading and writing. A variety of texts from a range of disciplines will be used to expose students to different ways of conveying academic ideas. Students will be taught to use strategies that will be useful when reading academic texts related to their main course of study. With regard to academic writing skills, students will learn to introduce essays in an interesting way; to formulate and evaluate ideas using critical thinking skills; to provide suitable support for their own opinions; to reiterate key points concisely when concluding; and to acknowledge sources of information through systematic referencing. In short, students will be taught to be effective academic writers. They will also have the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned through an oral presentation to be delivered near the end of the course.

This course focuses on skills required for (1) reading academic texts related to research at tertiary level, (2) writing research reports in English, and (3) presenting oral reports based on reviews of texts in learners’ respective disciplines. It aims to help learners attain the effective operational proficiency (C1) level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Emphasis is placed on studying research-related texts such as the abstract, introduction, method/s, discussion and conclusion sections of research reports and academic journals. Contents of the texts are related to pure, applied and/or social sciences. This course focuses on vocabulary acquisition, grammar learning, intensive reading, directed writing, presentation and discussion that familiarise learners with research-related texts. Aspects of grammar learnt also include skills for analysing sentence structures in academic texts. Exercises given in this course are related to comprehension of subject matter presented in research papers, identification of information elements (stages/kinds of information) and language resources commonly used in research-related texts. This course incorporates activities that train learners to write research reports by effectively linking language choices with their communicative functions. Course evaluation is based on  two online graded exercises, a project paper, and an academic presentation which is followed by an oral discussion involving active interactions with the audience concerned.

This course is designed to encourage students to use and communicate in English creatively. The course presents an overview of the elements of fiction, namely in the genres of short stories and theatre/film script. It aims to enhance students’ critical thinking skills and fluency when communicating in English. It also endeavours, through assignments and presentations, to enhance students’ confidence level in using English creatively, particularly in the context of a drama performance.

This course is intended for students to learn the skills of effective oral and written communication at the workplace. They learn to prepare, process and produce relevant documents and conduct activities commonly practiced at the workplace. Since the course is designed with the aim of equipping students to meet the English language needs and demands at the workplace, it provides opportunities for students to go through simulations of the work environment throughout the semester. Among these activities are developing job-seeking skills; practicing relevant expressions used at the workplace; preparing formal and informal documents; and giving informative presentation.

 This course is designed to help students reinforce their English language skills and is geared specially towards the purpose of promoting effective oral and written communication for the workplace. By undergoing simulated workplace tasks, students learn the skills of oral communication for attending interviews, conducting meetings and delivering presentations. The course also provides activities aimed to enhance reading and writing abilities for business settings such as composing emails, preparing meeting documents, notices, proposals, and promotional materials. Designed with the intention of assisting students in their future endeavour of securing a job and enhancing career development, this course utilises a group project framework that promotes both cooperative and competitive learning environment for the students to fully practice and capitalise on their existing language abilities to generate more advance language skills necessary for the workplace.