There are two parts to the assessment: (1) an individual presentation; (2) a Learning File.

Here are the details:

1) Five-minute individual presentation (30% of the marks - learning outcomes 1, 3)

This part of the assessment assesses how effectively you can use a learning and assessment method that is used a lot in universities: the individual presentation.

The subject of your individual presentation will be some aspect of what you have learnt during this module, or a topic of your own choice. Whichever you do, your choice must be approved by your tutor. (The reason for this is that we don't want you to waste your valuable time on an unsuitable topic.) Your presentation may end with a very short question and answer session (say a couple of minutes over the basic five minutes).

2) Learning File (70% of the total marks - learning outcomes 1, 2, 3)

We want to support you in your journey towards independent and successful learning. People have discovered that a good way to improve your learning skills is to keep a record of your study experiences and think about what you can gain from them. It's a sort of academic diary in which you note your thoughts, feelings, problems, solutions and successes as you progress through the programme. What is really important here is progress: thinking constructively about problems, coming up with workable solutions and then doing something to improve yourself or the situation.

This module looks at essential personal and communication skills which will help you succeed during your studies and in your career and life afterwards.

During this module, you will:

* get to know more about yourself.
* discover the learning strategies that work best for you..
* develop independent thinking skills which enable you to think critically about yourself, other people, issues and situations.
* learn problem-solving techiques related to the module activities.
* improve your time management.
* gain an insight into how groups work, and improve skills which are necessary for groups to function successfully (active listening, motivating, encouraging, discussing, coping with differences of opinion, getting agreement, etc.).
* think about how people communicate, especially in the academic context (e.g. seminars, presentations, tutorials, role-plays) and improve your skills in using these communication methods effectively.
* learn to appreciate cultural similarity and difference.

This module has 48 hours of whole class contact - typically four hours per week. The group you are in will be no more than 20 students.

For most of you, being at university will be a very new experience. So this module is designed to help you find out more about how we teach and learn in higher education.

The best way to learn is to do something. For that reason, the learning strategies used in this module will be varied to give you a chance to experience a wide range of academic learning styles: you will be working on your own, with a partner, in a group, or with the class as a whole. You will be listening, speaking, reading and writing, both in class and at home. Class activities may include pair discussion, group debates, presentations, audio-visual inputs, short tutor lectures, seminars and tutorials.

The in-class activities will be supplemented by your independent study outside class, doing such things as researching information, thinking, discussing and writing about your learning, planning how to improve your skills, carrying out specific tasks and so on.

Here are some suggested texts:

Cottrell, S. (2003) The Study Skills Handbook, Basingstoke: Palgrave/Macmillan

Lowes, R. et al. (2004) The International Student's Guide: Studying in English at University (London, Sage)

Price, G. and P.Maier (2007) Effective Study Skills: Unlock your Potential (Harlow, Pearson)

You will have reached a level of GCSE + 1 year or equivalent in your education system.

* The library
* A PC with MS Office and Internet
* Individual and group study space
* A good advanced learner's English dictionary
* Multimedia equipment (DVD player, listening station)