Introduction
This eight-week course is taught by tutors in our Language Centre and helps students to improve and develop their general and discipline-specific English language and study skills, with a particular emphasis on writing and speaking, in order to allow them to function effectively in their postgraduate master's programmes.
Once you are accepted onto the presessional English course, you will not need to retake a language test. This means that you can concentrate on developing your postgraduate study skills.
The course runs for eight weeks and is comprised of 160 hours of teaching and 120 hours of self-study.
Due to reasons relating to COVID-19, the course will be delivered online via ICE @ XJTLU, an online platform designed to support and enhance learning and teaching at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University. We will provide you with a high-quality language learning experience by utilizing innovative teaching methods, including synchronous and asynchronous activities.
Who Should Take A Presessional English Course?
If you have applied for an XJTLU Master’s programme and meet the minimum English language requirements for the course as shown below, you may be accepted onto the Pre-sessional English summer course subject to Programme Director approval. Upon successful enrolment on the Pre-sessional English summer course, you will be able to change your XJTLU Master’s offer letter to ‘Unconditional’ for English level. If you are simply looking to improve your academic English language skills and meet the minimum language requirements for the course as shown below, then you are welcome to elect to take this course.
Knowledge and Skills
After the course students will be able to:
write clear and coherent paragraphs;
understand the purpose of an academic essay, its components and structure;
understand the purpose of an academic report, its components and structure;
read and identify key information from extended academic texts;
summarise, paraphrase and synthesize key information from a variety of sources;
use references and citations skillfully to correctly synthesize material from outside sources into original work;
deliver an academic presentation;
lead and contribute to an academic seminar discussion.
Structure
This 8-week course includes a combination of seminar classes, weekly lectures, tutorials, and self-study. The 8th week will include large group workshops, 1:1 feedback tutorials on the assessments, and induction activities.
Syllabus
The course will focus on transferable academic skills and language, with typical content covering:
Writing:
Adopting a process approach to your writing
Writing clear and well-organised paragraphs and essays
Referencing and understanding principles of Academic Integrity
Paraphrasing, summarising and quoting
Improving awareness of academic style
Improving cohesion and coherence in your writing
Speaking:
Giving academic presentations
Participating in academic seminar discussions
Using appropriate functional language in your academic speaking
Using information from sources in academic discussions and presentations
Reading:
Skimming, scanning, getting the gist
Identifying important information and selecting key ideas
Evaluation of texts (including critical analysis of author, bias, purpose, genre, etc.
Listening:
Following and taking notes in a lecture
Strategies to deal with lecture listening
Academic skills:
Reflection
Time management
Conducting secondary research
Critically evaluating sources
Creating Powerpoint presentations
Editing your work
Fees
RMB 23,000 (full fees as a deposit)
Course fees include course textbooks, supplemental materials, and a final certificate.
Students who pay the fees by June 15, 2020, will receive a 20 per cent discount.
Entry Requirements
English level requirements
IELTS 6.0, with no single component less than IELTS 5.5 (equivalent to 80 TOEFL)
IELTS 5.5, with no single component less than IELTS 5.0 (equivalent to 72 TOEFL)
IELTS 5.0, with no single component less than IELTS 5.0 (equivalent to 62 TOEFL)
Programme
Global Education MA
Mass Media Translation MA (minimum 5.5 in all skills)
Media and Communication MSc
TESOL MA
Master of Architectural Design
Business Analytics MSc
Civil Engineering MSc
Computer Science MRes
Economics and Finance MSc
Finance MSc
Financial Mathematics MSc
Industrial Design MDes
International MBA
International Finance Management MSc
Investment Management MSc
Management MSc
Management MRes
Operations and Supply Chain Management MSc
Professional Accounting MSc
Project Management MSc
Sustainable Construction MSc
Urban Design MSc
Urban Planning MSc
Advanced Chemical Sciences MRes
Applied Informatics MSc
Electrical Power and Energy Technology MRes
Financial Computing MSc
Molecular Bioscience MRes
Multimedia Telecommunications MSc
Social Computing MSc
Sustainable Energy Technology MSc
How To Apply
If you are not applying for an XJTLU Master's programme
To apply for PSE as a separate course please email LearnEnglish@xjtlu.edu.cn.
If you are also applying for an XJTLU Master's programme
Please inform your Admissions Officer should you wish to attend the PSE course and meet the entry requirements.
If you do not have evidence that you meet the English language requirements, you can apply for a free placement test by emailing pgadmissions@xjtlu.edu.cn. We will arrange a test for you on campus. The results will normally be back within two days.
