Monash University Arts undergraduate handbook 1995

Copyright © Monash University 1995
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English in use: a second language perspective

The English in use (EIU) course is designed for students whose first language is other than English. As the course is a study of the functional, theoretical and cultural features of the English language and not a literature-based course, it is a separate subject to English and may not be taken as part of a sequence in English. This allows second language students the option of taking EIU as a separate major or minor sequence and considering English as a possible second major or minor subject within their degree.

The course provides second language students with an opportunity to further their knowledge of the English language through the perspective of the second language speaker. It provides a broad conceptual understanding of the English language, the cognitive and cultural attitudes it engenders and the communicative frameworks it supports.

The course encourages second language students to develop an understanding of their language of instruction by extending their knowledge of the historical, cultural, theoretical and functional features of English that are of specific relevance to them as second language speakers. It includes some of the theoretical issues of English form, function, structure, genre and culture and gives students the opportunity, within a second language perspective, to analyse and evaluate the strengths and the limitations of English as an unique system of communication which functions in a distinct cultural framework to construct meaning.

This course is available to international and non-English-speaking-background students who fulfil the Arts faculty second language entry criteria.

The course

The English in use course offers one subject per semester at each year level. Students interested in taking either a minor or major sequence must complete each subject at the appropriate level. Completion of a first-year sequence plus sixteen points at the second-year level represents a minor sequence in English in use. Completion of a further sixteen points in English in use at the third-year level plus eight points at the second or third-year level represents a major sequence in English in use.

First year

EIU1010 Introduction to English in use: communication

EIU1020 Introduction to English in use: form and structure

Second year

EIU2110 Form and function: English in context

EIU2120 English language in use: one mode, many methods

Third year

EIU3110 English: language and culture

EIU3120 English language in use: one mode, many methods (as for EIU2120 but assessed at third-year level)

EIU3210 English discourse: exploration, explanation and demonstration



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