ILMAFSN: Academic Skills and Language for Food Science

Module code: ILMAFSN

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 0

ECTS credits: 0

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Miss Victoria Collins, email: v.collins@reading.ac.uk

Module co-convenor: Ms Sarah Mattin, email: s.mattin@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

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

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 26 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module focuses on the academic language and writing skills needed to perform more effectively at postgraduate level in Food and Nutritional Sciences. It is primarily designed for postgraduate Food and Nutritional Sciences students whose first language is not English and aims to support the transition to the UK HE context and academic culture. The module utilises Food Science-specific texts to develop a range of writing skills needed for successful completion of assessed coursework.

The module is non-credit-bearing and designed to support students’ disciplinary study, the expectation being that students will apply the skills they have learnt on ILMAFSN in their credit-bearing work. Therefore, for the module itself, there is no assessment or expectation of independent study hours.

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Recognise and apply knowledge of  selected written academic genres and their structure (e.g. lab reports; reflective writing) 
2. Demonstrate an understanding of academic conventions used in written texts, including ethical use of sources, citation and generative AI.
3. Use written academic English that suits a clear communicative purpose including coherent, and accurate use of a wide range of appropriate structures.
4. Demonstrate a critical and reflective approach to their work and that of others.

Module content

Topics covered include:

• Writing an effective lab report
• Academic English for writing Press releases
• Reflective writing at university
• Introduction to research writing

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module takes a discipline-specific, genre-based approach to language and literacy development using example student and published texts Teaching is delivered through seminars on campus where students are engaged in learning through task-based activities such as guided analysis of texts, group tasks, and discussion. 

Study hours

At least 10 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

There is no assessment on this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

There is no assessment on this module.

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.

Sessions will take a task-based approach, enabling students to receive feedback from the instructor and from other students during class discussions. 

Reassessment

Additional costs