ACADEMIC ENGLISH

Unit Guide

TRIMESTER 1/2024-2025
 FOU106 – ACADEMIC ENGLISH
TRIMESTER 1/2024-2025

CONTACTS

Mr. John Bayarong

Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Unit Instructors
Ms. Le Thi Phuong Lien
Email: [email protected]

Nguyen Truong An
Program
Office: 14th Floor, 279 Nguyen Tri Phuong Str., District 10, HCM City
Administrator
Phone: 028 54465555 (Ex:104) Email: [email protected]

About Academic English (FOU106)

UNIT OVERVIEW

Over the course of the trimester, students will develop their academic research and writing. Each
week we will thoroughly instruct students in the academic writing conventions and standards.
Students will learn to independently read, research, analyze and reference articles. At the end of
the course students will be able to write an informed and well-structured essay that meets the
university level academic requirements. Each session will be divided into 3 parts: lecture, in-class
presentations and activities where students can actively apply the relevant academic skills. The
mainstream lecture & associate lecturer classes will run in parallel.

The Reading list presentations will give students an introduction to a number of socioeconomic
issues. Students will be required to read, interpret and analyze the articles in the reading list. The
topics for the essays and debates will be challenging, and will develop students’ understanding
of current issues within the business environment. We expect all students to keep up with the
reading list each week as this will form the research base for the essays.

The course also emphasizes critical thinking and problem solving. Other necessary skills are
integrated in the lessons where students will work collaboratively with others, and engage with
new ideas and practices.

PRE-REQUISITES

None

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Assessment Information
UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
The table below outlines the unit learning outcomes (ULOs). Upon completion of Academic
English, students will be able to:

1. Perform well academically at an international-level.

2. Analyze and assess arguments presented in both scholarly and popular texts.
Formulate coherent arguments and present evidence based on analysis of information to develop and
3.
support a position.
Identify key processes and communication styles for effective communication, both in written and oral forms
4.
with other related skills in an academic setting.
Communicate effectively using proper etiquette in written and oral forms in both formal and informal
5.
situations.
Understand the concepts and practices needed to accomplish written assignments/projects and to deliver an
6.
effective presentation.
Develop a better understanding of different learning styles and techniques necessary to work effectively as
7.
individuals or collaboratively with others.
8. Develop a higher comprehensive understanding of the academic research process.
9. Understand the fundamentals of using sources to support an argument as well as avoid plagiarism in writing.
Write academic essays using appropriate academic writing styles, citations, and bibliographies based on
10.
internationally-recognized formats (APA 7th edition)

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

In line with its focus on ensuring students’ skills in unit learning outcomes 1-10 above, this unit
is also responsible for introducing/developing/assuring the following program-level learning
outcomes (PLOs):

Knowledge & Application

1. Solid understanding and competency in the appropriate application of business discipline-specific
knowledge.
Communication
2. Competency in professional written and oral communication suited to multiple audiences and contexts.

Teamwork
3.
Effective collaboration in teamwork or other tasks in organizational settings.
Critical thinking
4.
Critical thinking through appropriate observing, analyzing and reasoning, etc.

Problem solving
5.
Effective and constructive problem solving.
Ethics
6. An ethical perspective, including an understanding of the ethical responsibilities of organizations.

Cultural Diversity
7. A global mindset, including an understanding of the different business settings, the ability to identify foreign
market potentials, to diagnose cross-cultural communication problems and propose appropriate solutions.

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ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

VALUE LEARNING
ASSESSMENT ITEM DUE DATE
(%) OUTCOMES
1 Weekly Chapter & reading list presentations 20%
tasks In each
Reading list reflections 5% ULOs 1-10
class
Weekly blogs 10%

2 Teamwork Debate WEEK 6 10%

Group essay outline WEEK 6 20% ULOs 1-10
Final reflection WEEK 12 5%

3 Individual Final individual essay WEEK 13 30% ULOs 1-10

Final marks and grades are subject to confirmation by the School Assessment Committees which
may scale, modify or otherwise amend the marks and grades for the unit, as may be required by
University policies. Final grades will be uploaded into the myISB system with Group essay outline
& Final individual essay accounting for 50% (final mark on myISB), whereas the Midterm mark
contains the remaining assessments.
Note: To successfully complete this unit, students must:

▪ Achieve a minimum of 50 marks;

▪ Complete all assessment items; and
▪ Attend 80 percent of total class time. See attendance requirements in the section of class
policies and rules below.

Assessment 1: Weekly tasks (35%)

Due: In each class
1.1 Weekly presentations (20%) will form a significant part of the course. In week 1 students will
be divided in 6 groups and assigned a chapter and reading list for the semester. Note that
students will present as follows:
a) Main lecture session: a team will present on the assigned chapter for that week.
b) AL session: a team will present on the reading list for their essay topic.
Note that ALL groups will have presented both a chapter and a reading list topic by the end of the
semester.
The maximum time for each presentation and discussion is 40-45 minutes. DO NOT regurgitate
the textbook chapter or the readings; we want you to add value and show your understanding.
We encourage the students to be creative in how they present the materials - they might use games
and activities or follow a talk show/video format. Remember to use examples and case studies to
illustrate your points. Focus on quality over quantity in your presentation. All presenting teams
have to upload their slides to Notion before the presenting dates. Note that each team

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member will receive different scores for this assessment based on their performance & Peer
evaluation report.
Peer evaluation report: Member(s) with the average total point (from other members' evaluations)
of 50% and below will receive a ZERO for the according assessment, member(s) with the average
total point between 50% and 65% will be considered for a 30% mark deduction, member(s) with
the average total point between 65% and 80% will be considered for a 20% mark deduction and
member(s) with the average total point between 80% and 90% will be considered for a 10% mark
deduction.
Every student is expected to read the materials assigned for each session and thoroughly prepare
in advance. In class, students should take part in discussions, ask clarifying questions and listen to
others. Bonus points will be rewarded for those who actively participate in class discussion
or win games.
1.2 Reflections (5%):
After each Reading list presentation, the remaining teams have to write a short reflection on 3
most interesting things they learn from the reading articles and from the presenting team. All
reflections can be stored and shared via Notion. By the end, each team will have a total of 5
reflections for other teams.
1.3 Weekly Blog (10%):
Students will create a blog online on Notion app/website and post weekly responses
(approximately 200 words per response) to current news articles that relate to the world of
business and general economics and should cover these topics: Human Resource
Management, Finance, Management, Marketing, Economics etc....Students should think of this as
a portfolio of their coursework. Team members will write their own content to contribute. Each team
should have at least 10 weekly responses and your mark will be based on the quality/quantity of
your writing, plus the design of your blog.

Assessment 2.1: Debate (10%)

Due: Week 6

Each group will be given the essay topics in advance and required to research both sides. In the
debate session, the speakers will present reliable evidence and strong, clear arguments in support
of their assigned position. These debate sessions will develop students’ critical understanding of
the topics and give them an opportunity to research and develop their ideas for their essays.

Marking Criteria

Structure of arguments
25%
Flow of arguments are well structured and in support of thesis statement
Originality of arguments
25%
Shows wide reading, critical thinking and insight into topic
Quality of sources
25%
Reliable sources and correct referencing style
Clarity of speaking
25%
Simple, clear and concise; communicate the main points well

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Assessment 2.2: Group essay outline (20%)

Due: Week 6

Each group will be required to research their assigned topic and develop an outline for the group
essay. Note that the research for the debate session will be the same topic as the group essay.
The outline should consist of clear topic sentences for each paragraph in support of the main
argument, correct in-text and narrative citations and a full reference list. Students will be graded
on the originality of their arguments, the quality of sources and the logical structure of the outline.
Each team member will receive different scores based on peer evaluation report.

After submitting, students will receive feedback in class from Turnitin on the plagiarism score.
This will be an opportunity for students to paraphrase and reference correctly, in preparation for
their individual essay.

Marking Criteria

Structure of outline
25%
Flow of arguments are well structured and in support of thesis statement
Originality of arguments
25%
Shows wide reading, critical thinking and insight into topic
Quality of sources
25%
Reliable sources and correct referencing style
Clarity of writing
25%
Simple, clear and concise sentences that communicate the main points well

Assessment 2.3: Final reflection (5%)

Due: Week 12
The final reflection will allow students to reflect on the semester and what they have learned.
Each group will share what they find most interesting and challenging in terms of university and
writing skills. Each group will be graded based on the checklist provided for oral presentation
assessment. Oral presentations that exceed the time limit (20 minutes) will be penalized.
Creative and fun presentation will be marked higher. All teams will submit Peer evaluation report
after this presentation.

Marking Criteria

Slide contents
25% Include required contents
Creativity and overall effectiveness
Slide formats
At least 10 slides with photos, video, chart
25% Easy-to-read slides with a few words
Professionalism and style of presentation, including use of visual aids,
handouts, and other materials presented.
Presenters
25%
Dress up (Business attire)

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Transition between members

Logical organization and structure of the team’s presentation
Clearly spoken with good volume
Enunciation and pronunciation

25% Questions & Answers

Assessment 3: Individual academic essay (30%)

Due: 1 week after final week
Length: 1,300 -1,500 words (with at least 5 academic references).

The individual assignment requires students to write a full academic essay in response to the
given topic and consider the implications for the business environment. Each student can choose
among 2 essay options according to their team’s assignment.

Students should use the reading list and their own research to understand both sides of the topic
and summarize the key arguments. They should then select the strongest arguments and most
reliable sources to write their essay in argument form. The final result should provide a clear,
critical and creative interpretation of the topic.

This measures students’ progress towards achieving overall unit learning outcomes, with focus
on numbers 1 to 10. Essays that exceed the word limit OR has a high % Turnitin OR % of AI
will be penalized according to lecturers’ consideration. A soft copy has to be submitted via
e-learning on the due date. The essay must be well-written in an academic style with formal
language; at least 5 academic reference sources must be acknowledged (in-text and narrative
citations and list of references should follow APA style, 7th edition).

Marking criteria and standards for individual academic essay

Marking Criteria

Structure of outline
/10
Flow of arguments are well structured and in support of thesis statement
Originality of arguments
/10
Shows wide reading, critical thinking and insight into topic
Quality of sources
/10
Reliable sources and correct referencing style
Clarity of writing
/10
Simple, clear and concise sentences that communicate the main points well

average TOTAL

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Teaching Activities
LEARNING RESOURCES

Textbook UniStep. Academic Skills Guide. University of Western Sydney. 2007

Reference ▪ Compulsory Readings

books
▪ Video clips/ PowerPoint materials

ONLINE LEARNING RESOURCES

E-learning http://e-learning.isb.edu.vn/

http://lib.ueh.edu.vn/
Account: Your UEH student email account
E-library
https://scholar.google.com/
Public source

SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

Mainstream Associate
Week Activities Activities Due Dates
Lecturer Lecturer

Session 1 +Allocate teams

Course Intro +Discuss course
1 expectations OFF OFF
Chapter 1:
Beginning +Plagiarism & citations
university studies warning

Session 2 +Develop critical

thinking skill Handout:
Chapter 4:
2 OFF OFF Group essay
Thinking +Find commercial outline topics
critically clips and critique

Session 3
+Topic words, Focus
Chapter 2:
Words & Task Words
Managing your
3 writing OFF OFF
+Team 1: Presenting
Chapter 3:
Chapter 2 & 3
Understanding the
Task

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+Brainstorm topic &
Session 4 Mind-map themes
from Reading List
Brainstorming &
4 OFF OFF mind-mapping
+Team 2: Presenting
the topic
Reading list
(Corporate
sustainability)
+Read articles for
Session 5 essay topics & practise
note-making
Chapter 5:
5 Academic +Skimming & Scanning OFF OFF
Reading & Note- for essays
making +Team 3: Presenting
Chapter 5
+Team 4: Presenting
Reading list (AI
Applications in
Business
Management)
Session 7
Structure for the +Team 6: Presenting Submit group
6 OFF OFF
group essay Reading list essay outline
outline (Economic
growth and
prosperity)

+Work on group
essay outlines

Session 6 +Identify different

academic genres
Chapter 6: The
7 Academic Essay OFF OFF
+Team 5: Presenting
Chapter 7: Other
Chapter 6 & 7
Academic Genres

+Practise formal
language & academic
Session 11 writing style
Session 8 Submit group
8 +Students’ debates Formal language
Debates & Academic essay outline
+Team 1: Presenting
writing style Reading list (Cross -
cultural
Communication)

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+Write topic sentences
& arrange order of
paragraphs
Session 9
+Practise formal
9 Chapter 9: OFF OFF
language & academic
Features of
writing style
Academic Writing
+Team 2: Presenting
Chapter 9
+Find reliable sources
for essays

Session 10 +Quote & paraphrase +Editing &

for essay Session 13 proofreading
Chapter 8:
10 Academic +How to avoid Final essay +Team 3: Presenting
Argument & plagiarism? Turnitin preparation Reading list
Evidence checking (Entrepreneurship)
+Team 4: Presenting
Chapter 8

Session 12
Chapter 10: +Sentence construction
Grammar in
+Agreement &
academic writing
11 consistency OFF OFF
Chapter 11:
+Team 6: Presenting
Editing,
Chapter 10 & 11
proofreading,
receiving feedback
+Proofreading &
+Submit Peer
editing individual
+Team 1-6: Presenting Session 14 evaluation
Session 15 essays
report
12 +Proofreading & editing Final essay
Final reflections +Team 5: Presenting
individual essays preparation +Final essay
Reading list (The
(week 13)
meaning of work)

General Information & Policy

Referencing
Plagiarism
Student assignments are to contain original content created by the students. Assignments will be
rejected if they include plagiarized content or contain excessive amounts of quoted/cited material
and minimal original content. Students will receive a grade of ZERO (0%) for any assignments
rejected for this reason. Written assignments WILL BE checked by the lecturer with Turnitin.com,
an online plagiarism-checking tool. All essays and outlines are required to contain less than
20% of Turnitin checking.
Sources

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Furthermore, your reference to support your statements must be from a reliable source, such as
textbooks, additional reading materials, and reference books. However, many websites are not
reliable sources. Examples are Wikipedia.org, about.com, and ask.com. If you are not sure if a
reference is acceptable or not, please contact the lecturer.
Referencing & Citation
The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) 7th ed., will serve
as the primary reference materials for all students. Therefore, all papers must be submitted in APA
format. The mechanics of student papers and work will be evaluated, as well as the content.

Submission
No Assignment cover sheet required
Non-contributing team members can sometimes be an issue with group-work structured
assessment. Individual student group work scores may be adjusted as a result of peer
dissatisfaction with a particular student’s contribution to group work assignments. Team leaders
should inform lecturers as soon as any problems related to this arise.

Submission style
Assignments are expected to achieve a professional standard:

▪ Be typed, one and a half spaced, on A4 paper

▪ Use a simple clear format, suitable for a report to senior management in a commercial
organization.

Submission method
n Soft copy: submitted electronically via E-learning system (PDF format) on the due date.
n Hard copy: currently not required.

Late assignment and make-up policy

No late assignments will be accepted unless prior authorization is granted by the Academic
Department based on a Special Consideration Application for assessment task extension.
Students must complete all assessments on the assigned dates. If there are extenuating or
unforeseen circumstances, students must follow the school’s policies and procedures accordingly.

Attendance
Students are required to attend at least 80% of total sessions.
Other cases equating to an absence:

▪ Arriving to class late by 15 minutes at the beginning

▪ Arriving late by 5 minutes after the break
▪ Leaving prior to the scheduled end time without the permission of the lecturer
If you are unable to attend any session, please let your lecturer know AND submit a request for
absence form to the program administrator (BBUS email) prior to the session.

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IMPORTANT: Students will not be allowed to sit in the final examination if violating the above
absence rule.

Electronic device use

▪ Cell phones will be turned off or switched to vibrate mode before class starts.
▪ No phone calls or text messaging are allowed inside the classroom during class time.
▪ Portable listening and/or music devices may not be operated in the classroom.
▪ Headphones and/or ear buds of any type may not be worn while in the classroom whether
operating or not.
▪ Laptop and other electronic devices are not permitted unless specifically authorized by
the lecturer exclusively for note taking and doing class work.
IMPORTANT: If you are in violation of these policies you will be excused from class and an
absence will be assessed.

Email etiquette
Your lecturers receive many emails each day. In order to enable them to respond to your emails
appropriately and in a timely fashion, students are asked to follow basic requirements of
professional communication.
Your emails should:

▪ Have a concise and descriptive title, including the class and name of the unit you are
enquiring about
▪ Be clear about the intention of their emails
▪ Use appropriate tone and language, proof-read what is written in the email before sending
it.
Students should also allow 3-4 working days for a response before following up. If the matter is
legitimately urgent, you may indicate “URGENT” in the email subject header.
Make an appointment: If your email request is complex and requires a lengthy response it may
be best to make an appointment with your lecturer/instructor to meet in person.

Student behavior guidelines

Everyone must behave professionally. Students are expected to demonstrate respect for teachers
and fellow students at all times. Behavior that is disruptive to a positive learning environment
reported to the teacher will result in a warning on the first instance; the second instance might
result in a failing grade along with expulsion from the school.
Unacceptable behaviors can be:

▪ Cheating on an exam
▪ Collaborating with others on work to be presented, if contrary to the stated rules of the
course
▪ Submitting, if contrary to the rules of the course, work previously submitted in another
course

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▪ Knowingly and intentionally assisting another student in any of the above actions, including
assistance in an arrangement whereby work, classroom performance, examination, or
other activity is submitted or performed by a person other than the student under whose
name the work is submitted or performed
▪ Plagiarizing
IMPORTANT:

▪ First violation will result in a grade ZERO (0%) for that assignment.
▪ Second violation will result in a failing course grade.

Disability support services

Students with disabilities are advised that accommodations and services are available at UEH-
ISB. It is the student's responsibility to contact the UEH-ISB office and submit appropriate
documentation prior to receiving such services.

Additional information
This unit guide may be revised at the discretion of the Academic Department with approval from
Program Academic Director and School Academic Committee where appropriate.

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