IF0ALS: Academic Literacies and Skills

Module code: IF0ALS

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Miss Natalie Drake, email: n.drake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0ACI (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IF0ASC OR TAKE IF0ALSJ (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 25 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module introduces students to key academic skills and communication skills, in both written and oral formats. These skills will contribute towards success in other modules on the Foundation programme and prepare students for undergraduate studies. Students may be grouped with others who study similar subjects and will receive guidance on relevant skills for their discipline. 

This module helps students: 

• To develop an awareness of academic conventions related to referencing and academic integrity 
• To engage with formative assessments and feedback 
• To develop oral communication skills relevant to discussions 
• To develop appropriate skills for written coursework 
• To develop grammar and vocabulary, and associated skills, suitable for academic contexts 
• To develop strategies for time management and independent study 
• To develop the necessary linguistic skills to qualify for an undergraduate programme 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. Select and use information from academic sources to support ideas, applying a referencing style correctly. 
2. Discuss a familiar topic using accurate grammar, suitable academic vocabulary, and appropriate communication strategies. 
3. Produce an academic text, following general and genre-specific academic conventions. 

Module content

The module is an introduction to academic skills needed by Foundation students progressing to an undergraduate programme. Some examples of relevant skills include strategies for being an active learner, effective time management, referencing skills, effective use of Generative AI, and promoting good academic practice. It also develops communication skills and strategies which contribute towards understanding different text structures, expressing and justifying opinions, and using a range of appropriate grammar and vocabulary. 

This module is designed to be accessible to students who are not from a UK-based background and would like to transition to a UK Higher Education setting for undergraduate study.  

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module will be taught through seminars to enable students to explore texts and skills, before putting them into practise. The module often uses task-based learning to ensure students see the practical value of the module. Students will often be encouraged to work collaboratively in class, which provides opportunities for peer learning and helps them to develop a community on the programme. They will also reflect periodically on their learning, with guidance from staff, to help them become more autonomous learners. 

Learning will also be supported asynchronously through the use of screencasts, quizzes and other online activities. 

Study hours

At least 66 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

1. Discussion: practice discussion
2. Written assignment: Essay plan
3. Written assignment: main body paragraph
4. Written assignment: First draft

Reassessment

Additional costs