English language: Written Expression

This course gives the learner advanced writing skills needed to be able to produce eloquent writing for either academic or professional purposes. The tutor guides the learner through writing and reading exercises which develop accuracy in grammar, structure, vocabulary and style.

Course Content
Module I - Advanced grammar review
- Writing and speaking exercises under timed conditions
- Revision plan of writing, speaking and comprehension tasks

Module 2 - Vocabulary
- Creative writing tasks to develop a wide vocabulary
- Word origins and meanings

Module 3 - Essay writing
- Practice in the structure of essay writing (or a long text)
- Techniques to present the main topics with clarity
- Synthesising ideas

Module 4 - Copywriting
- Practice in copy editing from long form to short form
- Tasks for writing advertising copy
- Practice in Journalism

Module 5 - Style
- Literary Critical Analysis to discuss the style of the authors
- Adding sophistication
- Poetic devices
- Exercises to practice change of style across a variety of writing tasks

Pre-course needs analysis
A pre-start Zoom meeting between the tutor and the student for level assessment and needs analysis.

Recommended reading
Before the start of the course, the student is sent an assignment to be completed before the start of the course and a short reading list.

Course aims
This course aims to provide students with accurate knowledge of grammar and language structure together with the stylistic tools which can be used for sophisticated writing.

Teaching methods
- Introductory section, outlining key areas of work within each module.
- Description of required reading and recommended reading.
- Presentation of materials taken from additional (eg. online) relevant sources.
- Daily homework assignments.
- Tutor feedback to homework.
- Assessment and feedback.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this courses, students are expected to be able to:
● Produce a piece of creative writing or factual writing
● Adjust the style and register of their writing with ease
● Know the conventions to be followed to write in a formal style (letter/essays)
● Develop a rich vocabulary

Assessment methods
Students are set two pieces of work. The first is a piece of writing of 250 words and is due halfway through the course. This does not count towards the final outcome but preparing for it helps the student to prepare for the assessed piece of work at the end of the course, which is a piece of writing

Useful information
Each lesson is live and taught by a tutor via Zoom
Each lesson is of 60 minutes duration
Lessons can be taken at any time from Monday - Saturday 09.00 to 18.00 GMT


IT Requirements
This course is delivered online; to participate you must be familiar with using a computer for purposes such as sending email and searching the internet. You will also need regular access to the internet and a computer meeting the recommended minimum computer specification.