Student Handbook 2018 (12).pdf

Aston Pre-sessional 2018English for Academic PurposesStudent Handbook Centre for English Language and Communication at Aston 1



CONTENTSWelcome pg.1About CELCA pg.1Programme staff & Responsibilities pg.2Programme Information pg.4 • Aims pg.4 • Learning Outcomes pg.4 • Weekly Timetable pg.5 • Programme Structure pg.6Trips and Social Events pg.7Practising your Spoken English pg.7Assessment and Feedback pg.8 • Formative Assessment pg.8 • Summative Assessment pg.8 • Pass marks and marking of assessments pg.8 • Written assessment deadlines pg.9 • Feedback pg.9 • Academic Tutors pg.10Rules and Regulations pg.10 • Punctuality and Absences pg.10 • Attendance and Leave of Absence pg.11 • Mobile Phones pg.12 • Smoking pg.12Communication pg.12 • Tutorials pg.12 • E-mail pg.12 • Blackboard pg.12

• CELCA Notice board pg.13 • Programme Director/Deputy pg.13 • Class & Social Representatives pg.13Student Support services pg.14 • The Hub pg.14 • International Student Advisors pg.15 • Students’ Union pg.16 • Accommodation pg.16 • Campus Safety pg.16 • Fire Safety pg.17Resources & Facilities pg.18 • Social & Study Spaces pg.18 • Library Services pg.18 • IT Services pg.18 • Sports Centre pg.19 • Martin Luther King Centre pg.19Who to talk to pg.20Useful Numbers pg.21

WELCOMEWelcome to Aston University and the Aston Pre-sessional programme inEnglish for Academic Purposes. This programme will help you gain the relevantlanguage and academic skills necessary for success on your future course hereat Aston.The programme is delivered and managed by the Centre for English Languageand Communication at Aston (CELCA), which is located on the 5th floor of theMain Building.This Student Handbook tells you about the Pre-sessional programme andprovides you with practical answers to many of your questions. Please lookcarefully at the information and keep the handbook for future reference.If you have any further questions the CELCA staff will help you in whatever waythey can.A link to this handbook is available on Blackboard, Aston University’s VirtualLearning Environment, which is a central resource for learning, storinginformation about your course content and extra resources.We hope your time with CELCA will be productive and that you enjoy theprogramme.About CELCACELCA is a teaching unit within the Centre for Learning Innovation andProfessional Practice (CLIPP). It was established over 20 years ago to provideEnglish for Academic Purposes programmes and support tutorials forinternational students whose first language is not English.We now offer a wide range of preparatory and year abroad/exchange credit-bearing programmes at pre-undergraduate, undergraduate, pre-postgraduateand postgraduate level. We also offer English language tutorials to supportstudents who are already studying for Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoraldegrees.A number of our staff specialise in the field of intercultural communication anddeliver modules on degrees at undergraduate and postgraduate level at AstonUniversity. Some also contribute to modules focusing on Academic andProfessional Communication, Applied Linguistics and TESOL.All our staff are friendly, well-qualified, experienced and committed to helpinginternational students succeed on their academic programmes and achievetheir personal goals. 1

Programme Staff and ResponsibilitiesAnia Bailey - Head of CELCAChantal Burden - Programme DirectorJacquie Harding - Deputy Programme DirectorRobert Fox - Class TutorKate Wakeman - Class TutorBranka Visnjic - Class TutorEmily Waibel - Class Tutor 2

Alison Payne - Class TutorTo find out your class tutor’s contact details ask them directly or please refer tothe CELCA staff webpage: http://www.aston.ac.uk/lss/english/celca-staff/.If you have any problems or queries at the start of the programme, please speakto any member of the programme staff. We are here to help you. 3

Programme InformationAimsThis programme aims to equip you with the necessary English languagecompetencies and academic skills required to cope with the demands of a degreeprogramme delivered in English and help you succeed in your future studies at AstonUniversity. You will also develop your communication skills so that you feel moreconfident communicating in a cultural environment different to your own.Learning OutcomesThe programme will enable you to: • understand the nature and features of full-length academic lectures delivered in English (e.g. identifying the parts of a lecture, recognising transition markers, identifying importance markers, guessing the meaning of unfamiliar words from context), including those related to your future academic discipline • understand the nature and features of full-length academic texts written in English, including those related to your future academic discipline • understand the nature of plagiarism and collusion and their consequences • critically evaluate sources of information • produce cohesively and coherently written research proposals and reports in English • deliver effective individual and group presentations in English • understand a variety of spoken and written texts in English • express yourself in speech and in writing, using some of the language of your future academic discipline • express yourself in speech and in writing using language that is formal, objective, explicit and hedged • work effectively as part of an intercultural team • use the Library catalogue effectively and electronic sources of data/information • conduct independent research. 4

Weekly Timetable 2-4pm 4-6pm Private study30-week Pre-sessional only Private study Day 11-1pm Private study Private studyMonday Class Class Private studyTuesday Class Class ClassWednesday Private study Class ClassThursday Class ClassFriday18-week, 12-week, 6-week Pre-sessionalDay 10-12pm 1.30-3.30pm 4-6pm Additional teachingMonday Class ClassTuesday Class Class sessions will be timetabled at certain Class Class times of the courseWednesday Speaking Classes (not all weeks) Class Class Private studyThursday Tutorials Speaking classesFriday (not all weeks)This is a guide only and may be subject to change.Each week you will receive between 16-18 hours of direct tuition, increasing upto 22 hours at certain points. In addition, you will be expected to carry out anumber of hours of private study each day. You will also have regular one-to-one and group tutorials to discuss your academic progress. 5

Programme StructureFor the start and end dates of the Pre-sessional programmes, see the \"Coursedates and fees\" section.You can see a summary of public holidays and university holidays. Please notethat the University will be closed on these days.The 30-Week Pre-sessional programme is divided into 4 modules. You mustpass every module that you are enrolled on in order to successfully completethe Pre-sessional programme.Modules 1 and 2 concentrate on developing your grammar, vocabulary andcommunication skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing), as well asacademic language and skills. Modules 3 and 4 focus more on subject-specific English that is relevant to your degree programme, as well as moreadvanced academic skills.NOTE: 4-week Pre-sessional students join for weeks 4-1 and follow their ownschedule.The week numbers work backwards; the first week of Module 1 (30-week Pre-sessional) is called week 30, the next week is week 29, etc. The final week ofthe programme is called week 1. 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 6

Trips and Social EventsA number of trips will be scheduled during the programme. They includediscovering local places of interest such as Lichfield, Warwick and Stratford-Upon-Avon to the further historical cities of Oxford, Cambridge and Bath.Please check the CELCA notice board for details.We also offer several social activities such as games and pizza nights; cinemanights and offer sports activities such as badminton and five-a-side football atthe Aston Sports Centre.Students who would like to get involved with organising social events for all thePre-sessional students should contact Jacquie Harding, who may be able toassist and to advise.You can also find a “diary of social events” on your Aston Pre-sessionalorganisation area on Blackboard.Practising your Spoken EnglishAdditional conversation/speaking classes are arranged during the programme.Details will be available on the CELCA notice board. 7

Assessment and FeedbackWe assess all areas of your language skills in a number of different ways.Formative Assessment (which gives you the opportunity to receivefeedback on your progress but does not contribute towards your overall mark)includes activities such as: • Participation in class activities • Intercultural team-work ability • Completion of weekly class and self-study tasks • Research proposal • In addition to at least 90% attendance and punctualitySummative Assessment is the assessment which gives you youroverall mark for the course. A range of assessment activities are usedincluding: • Written class tests • Reading tests • Speaking tests • Listening tests • Group or individual presentations • Coursework assignments, essays or projectsYour module tutor will explain the assessment to you at the start of eachmodule.Pass Marks & Marking of AssessmentsAll assessments are marked according to the Aston Pre-sessional programmemarking criteria. Your tutors will discuss these criteria with you for eachassessment.To successfully complete the Pre-sessional programme you must pass allyour modules.The progressing School pass mark for each module is: • 40% for undergraduate students and • 50% for postgraduate students 8

Written Assessment DeadlinesIt is very important that you hand in your work on time. You will lose marks forwork that is submitted late. It is standard university procedure to apply a 10%daily penalty for any late submissions.You will need to submit an electronic copy of your work. Your tutor will giveyou clear guidelines for each assessment.If, for any reason, you are unable to submit an electronic copy of your work,please inform the classroom tutor or your personal tutor.You must be here for all assessments. For details of Attendance and Leave ofAbsence, see Rules and Regulations section below.FeedbackYou will be provided with regular, detailed feedback in both written and verbalform by your academic tutors throughout the course. Regular one-to-one andgroup tutorials will be arranged for you. Feedback from your assessments willbe provided at the end of each module. 9

Academic TutorsThroughout your programme, you will have the opportunity to work with anumber of different class tutors. You will be assigned an academic tutor at thestart of each module who will usually be the teacher of your morning class. Youracademic tutor will discuss your progress with you, help with your study plan,and advise about how to focus your private study.You may also make an appointment with the Programme Director or DeputyProgramme Director to discuss general matters or for advice on where to gethelp with personal issues.Note: The External Examiner is Mr J. Wrigglesworth, Sheffield HallamUniversity.Rules and RegulationsPunctuality, Absences and AttendancePunctualityYou are expected to arrive on time for your class. Any lateness will benoted on the register and be counted towards your 90% attendancerequirement. If you are regularly late for class, you will be contacted by theProgramme Director to discuss the matter. Lateness will be counted asunauthorised absence.If, for any reason, you think you will be significantly late for class pleasecontact the Programme Director by email [email protected] or bytelephone on 0121 204 3733. This will be regarded as an absence and youmay be asked to provide evidence to support your reason.Late arrivalsPlease note that the University cannot be held responsible for late arrivals,including visa delays.For this reason, we do not refund any part of the Aston Pre-sessional fees ifyou arrive later than the advertised start date.Please also note that if you arrive late, you are expected to catch up with thework that you have missed. See your Academic tutor for advice. 10

Sickness and absencesIf you are sick and cannot attend class, you must email Chantal Burden, theProgramme Director on [email protected] before 11.00 am.Please make sure you provide the following details in your email: • name and student ID • your group name • contact telephone number • the reason why you are absent • how many days you think you will be absentYou will need to provide relevant documents for any prolonged absencebefore returning to class.If you do not explain your absence you will contacted by the ProgrammeDirector and asked to document the reasons for your non-attendance.Attendance and Leave of AbsencePlease Note: Your attendance will be monitored and you must attend atleast 90% of all classes in order to pass the programme and to fulfil theconditions placed on you by the UKVI.Please do not arrange any holidays during the Pre-sessional course, norany appointments (if this cannot be avoided you will need to provideevidence of your appointment).If you need to return home during the Pre-sessional programme for alegitimate reason, you must inform the Programme Director, BEFORE youleave the UK. You will need an ‘authorised leave of absence’ letter from AstonUniversity in order to re-enter the UK.All decisions for authorised absence and acceptable documents are final andmay be checked by the UKVI (Home Office).Please note: Regular poor attendance or a period of 10 days withoutauthorised absence may result in your visa being withdrawn and youwill then be required to leave the UK. 11

IMPORTANT!The following are not considered valid reasons for absence from class,and will not be authorised: • accommodation changes • family and friends visiting • studying for an exam or preparing a class task • bank appointmentsPermission for absence must be arranged through Chantal Burden, theProgramme Director, in advance. Please contact her by emailon [email protected] to make an appointment to see her in MB560A.Mobile phonesMobile telephones must be set to SILENT during class times. Please note, itis not acceptable to take or receive phone calls, or send emails or textmessages during class time.SmokingUnder UK law, ALL public areas are NO SMOKING areas. Please look forinformation on the University website for designated outdoor smoking areas.CommunicationTutorialsThere will be regular individual tutorials in lesson time. Tutorials will be shownon the weekly timetables. Additional tutorial sessions may be added atdifferent times throughout the programme.E-mailYou can contact the Pre-sessional programme staff by email to make anappointment to see them.Remember to check your Aston email every day as your programmestaff will use this to communicate with you.BlackboardBlackboard is Aston University’s Virtual Learning Environment. It is a centralresource for learning and stores information about your course content andextra resources. We encourage you to use Blackboard as it will be a primarycommunication tool in your future studies. 12

CELCA Notice boardPlease refer to the CELCA notice board located in the 5th floor for informationregarding class lists and social activities.Programme Director/ Deputy Programme DirectorYou may make an appointment by email to see Chantal Burden([email protected]) or by using the Web Assistant Scheduling System(WASS). In the absence of Chantal Burden, you may make an appointmentwith Jacquie Harding (Deputy Programme Director) by email([email protected]). Please see their office hours on the door ofMB560A.Class RepresentativesEach class will elect a student representative. The role of the representativesis to communicate to teaching staff and the Programme Director any questionsthe students have or points they would like to discuss regarding their academicstudy. Representatives will meet on a regular basis with the ProgrammeDirector.Social RepresentativesEach class will elect a social representative. The role of the representatives isto help the Deputy Programme Director organise social activities as requestedby the students. Representatives will meet on a regular basis with the DeputyProgramme Director 13

Student Support servicesThe HubThe Hub brings together all Aston’s key student support departments to ensurestudents can get answers to their most frequent queries without having to gofrom one part of the University to another. The Hub has an Advice Zone and aFinance Zone.Support departments accessed through The Hub Advice Zone include: • Registry • Advice for EU & International Students • Visa Compliance • Student advice (for advice about academic issues, academic finance, income tax and council tax, housing and money advice, funding) • Counselling & Mental Wellbeing Service • The Enabling TeamThe Hub Advice Zone is also the place to collect University letters pre-ordered on MAP.Location:The Hub is located just off the Upper Foyer on the ground floor of the MainBuilding. From the University reception go up the first flight of stairs, and turnright.Opening Hours:Undergraduate Term time: 9.30 am to 5 pm (10 am to 5 pm on Wednesdays)Undergraduate Vacation time: 10 am to 4 pmContact details:http://www.aston.ac.uk/current-students/hub/Email: [email protected]: 0121 204 4007 14

The Hub Finance Zone is the place to pay accommodation fees and tuitionfees.Opening HoursUndergraduate Term Time: 09:30 - 15:30 Monday to FridayUndergraduate Vacation Time: 10:00 - 12:00 14:00 - 15:00 Monday to FridayContact details:Email: [email protected]: 0121 204 4355Cashiers’ OfficeEmail: [email protected] 0121 204 4353 or 4371International Student AdvisersThe University has specialist International Advisers to assist students with arange of issues including immigration advice about student visas and workpermits, cultural and social activities and English language support sessions.For more information contact the International Student Advisers by telephone:+44 121 204 4567 or email: [email protected] or visit the website at:www1.aston.ac.uk/current-students/studentsupport/issu/ 15

Students’ UnionThe Students’ Union is there to support you as an international student. Itprovides advice on a number of issues such as your studies; finance;accommodation; employment rights and visas as well as co-ordinate manyclubs and societies, which will help you integrate into university life and mix withhome students. More information about all the great services available can befound at www.astonsu.comAccommodationIf you require accommodation, or have any queries concerning your existingcampus accommodation, you must contact the university Residential Servicesdirectly. Information can be found at http://www.aston.ac.uk/accommodation/(For students already living on campus you can speak to your residence officerwho has an office in the reception area of your residences).Campus SafetyCrime on the Aston University campus is very low (the lowest of any Midlandsuniversity) and our security measures and close-knit community atmospherehelp to keep it that way.Our team of fully trained security and portering staff are always on hand to helpensure the safety and security of the Aston community. Our campus is a safeand friendly place covered by extensive CCTV and security patrols. We alsoenjoy excellent relations with the local West Midlands Police, with officerscovering the campus beat.Complaints ProcedureThe University is committed to a partnership approach in its dealing withstudents through open and transparent communication. As part of this we havea Student Complaints Procedure for suggestions, comments and complaintsavailable through this link: http://www.aston.ac.uk/academic-services/for-staff/a-to-z-of-academic-services/complaints-procedure/ 16

Fire SafetyPlease familiarize yourself with the Aston University Fire Procedures bywatching the video and reading the instructions below carefully:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owvq6e9KJgA&feature=youtu.be 17

Resources & FacilitiesSocial & Study SpacesStudy spaces such as rooms MB561, MB563, MB565 are open to allstudents and are situated in the Main Building on the fifth floor near CELCA.Library ServicesNo matter what you need help with in the Library, there is someone there withthe answer to your question whether it is about using the printers, finding a bookor the best resources for your specific subject area or a query with your Libraryaccount.IT ServicesEveryone has problems with, or questions about IT. If you are a new student itcan be particularly daunting. IT Services will help you with problems related toBlackboard & MAP logins; uniCard (ID card); printing and many more. The ITHelpdesk is located in the Main Building East room G16, where they will dowhat they can to resolve your problems. 18

Sports CentreThe centre has everything you need to help keep you fit and healthy. It offers a100+ Station State of the art Gym; Sports Halls, Squash Courts; FitnessClasses; Yoga Classes; a Swimming Pool; Sauna & Steam Rooms; Martial Arts& Dance Studios and several football pitches. During the pre-sessional courseyou will be able to play badminton and 5 a-side football for free. See the CELCAnotice board for details.Martin Luther King CentreThe centre organises events for the enjoyment of students and staff in order toenrich their experience of the University. They work closely with the University,Aston Student Village, the Students' Union and the faith based student societiesto support the wellbeing of staff and students. It caters for all faiths or none.Several Games and Pizza evenings will be organized during your time as a pre-sessional student. Check the CELCA notice board for details. 19

Who to talk to… I have academic Your academic questions related tutor to my studies, progress & level & The Pre- need study advice sessional programme I have questions related to the pre- The Hub sessional programme & I Unite Students have some 20 personal issues I have generalqueries about theuniversity, mywelfare & my Visa I have a questionabout myaccommodation

Useful NumbersInternal: External:Unite Students National Express CoachesAccommodation 0871 781 81100330 303 8645 Birmingham InternationalThe Hub Airport0121 204 4007 0871 222 0072Finance Centre National Rail Enquiries0121 204 4355 03457 484950Chaplaincy (Martin Luther Visit Birmingham www.visitbirmingham.comKing Centre) Accident & Emergency0121 204 4277 Department City HospitalSecurity (Emergency) 0121 554 3801External 0121 359 2922Internal 2222Students’ Union The Halcyon Health Centre0121 204 4855 0345 245 0780IT Services0121 204 3445Sports Centre0121 204 4623Library Services0121 204 3000 21

Aston Pre-sessionalCentre for English Language and Communication at Aston www.aston.ac.uk/CELCA 22