1.Display the ability to express visual and oral knowledge of cultural and social issues in modern British society.
Communication
Application
Analysis

2. Demonstrate the ability to carry out appropriate academic research in the subject areas chosen for the blog.
Knowledge and Understanding
Enquiry
Reflection

A poster presentation of one of the topics covered in class, followed by a five-minute reflective viva voce, in which the student will be asked to explain their understanding of the chosen topic. (LO 1) - 50%

A series of weekly blog posts, which may be enhanced through the addition of digital audio and/or video, in which students will post weekly articles fo the ‘My Experience UK Blog’, recording their growing knowledge and understanding of the local culture and University. (LO2) - 50%

This module focuses on developing your knowledge of British life and traditions and enabling you to participate as fully as possible in the academic and cultural life of Staffordshire University. It is designed to introduce students to important aspects of key British institutions and the main elements of British culture. A familiarity of such features of British life, at a national and regional level, is vital if international students are to understand the non-subject-specific references to these things which they will inevitably come across in their studies.

Students will be encouraged to participate in extra-curricular cultural activities, such as the My Experience UK Travel Club, which has been established by the teaching staff as an incentive for students to learn through recreational study activities; in particular, excursions to places of special interest around Britain.
A task-centred teaching style will encourage student discovery and wider cross-cultural communication. The specific aims of the module are:

• To enable students to undertake HE study in the United Kingdom by providing an introduction to British institutions and culture

• To give students the opportunity to interact directly in British daily life with tasks and projects so that a real sense of meaning can be obtained about what is relevant to peoples’ lives¿

• To encourage students to actively explore life and cultural values in the UK and by doing develop the critical processes required in a UK HE context.

You will be encouraged to participate in a range of on and off campus activities to give you a thorough introduction into the local life and culture. During class time, you will take part in pair discussion, group debates, presentations, audio-visual inputs, short tutor lectures, seminars and tutorials.
The in-class activities will inform your independent study outside class, doing such things as:
Carrying out specific tasks.
Researching information.
Formulating ideas and concepts.

Students may wish to consult the following texts (but do not have to purchase them):

O’Driscoll, J. (2009) Britain for Learners of English (Oxford: OUP)

Christopher, D. (2015) British Culture: An Introduction (Oxford: Routledge)

Online

https://www.bbc.co.uk/

Students will also be encouraged to refer to the I newspaper for articles related to contemporary cultural issues

https://inews.co.uk/

Students will also be asked to contribute to the English Language Team’s website

Experience UK

Access to library and IT resources
An advanced learner's English dictionary