Task 5. Answer the questions about the text.
1. How long does the diploma or MA course take if you study full-time?
2. How many credits is dissertation worth?
3. What is special about the core modules?
4. What is the difference between doing a Diploma and an AM?
5. How many students are required for an elective module to run?
6. How long do assignments have to be?
7. What kind of classes do the students get?
8. On what kinds of work are they assessed?
9. What is the maximum number of words allowed in a dissertation?
10. What do students have to do to get a distinction?
Task 6. Dr. Ward is holding a question-and-answer session for new MA students. Complete the dialogue with the following words:
1. defer (delay until a later time);
2. upgrade (become officially registered for the highest degree);
3. sign up for (become a member of any club, organization, etc.);
4. EAP (English for Academic Purposes);
5. in-sessional (courses held during the main teaching semesters);
6. supervisions (individual meetings with the teacher who is responsible for the student’s dissertation).
Ann: Can we … the dissertation if we can’t stay here during the summer?
Dr. Ward: Yes, you can … for a year but don’t forget if you do go home, you won’t be able to have face-to-face … .
Simon: Are the … language courses compulsory?
Dr. Ward: No. Most of you did the pre-sessional course which is the most important. But there are good … courses you can … especially the … writing course.
Angela: If we get the MA can we go on to do a PhD immediately?
Dr. Ward: Not automatically. You have to show you can do PhD standard work first anyway, and then … to the PhD programme after a year or so.
Task 7. Complete the missing words in this e-mail from a student to a friend.
Diploma, dissertation, in-sessional, MA, module, PhD, project, sign.
Hi, Erika,
How are things going with you? I’m sorry not to have written to you sooner but I’ve been desperately busy with the linguistics (1) … I have to do for the elective (2) … I’m taking this term. It’s really interesting and I think I might decide to do my final (3) … on a similar topic. At first I was only planning to do the (4) … but now I’ve decided to have a go at an (5) … . I might even (6) … up for a (7) …… if they’ll have me! PhD students are usually offered some language teaching on the (8) … EAP courses they run for foreign students, so it would be useful for my CV for the future.
Fred
Task 8. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
1. I started out doing an MA but then I decided to upgrade / defer to a PhD.
2. Students whose first language is not English usually have to attend a(n) in-sessional / pre-sessional language course before their main classes start.
3. Only six students have enrolled / opted, so the MEd programme will not run this year.
4. Most students decide to sign / proceed to the MA after completing their Diploma course.
5. Core modules are obligatory / optional.
6. When I was doing my PhD I had monthly one-to-one seminars / supervisions.
7. I won’t be able to finish the dissertation this year, so I’ll have to opt / defer till next year.
8. Assessment / Assignment consists of a three-hour end-of-module exam.
Task 9. Make up a dialogue with your partner.
Imagine that one of you graduated from the University many years ago and became a scientist. Another person needs a good piece of advice as he/she hasn’t decided to choose a career in science or not. Ask these questions.
1. If you were choosing a career today, would you make the same choice?
2. Why did you choose science as a career?
3. How did you get your job?
4. What educational qualifications helped you break into this career?
5. What course should I take up according to you?
6. What is the part about your job that you like the least?
7. Do you enjoy coming to work every day?
8. What are the most important qualifications to succeed in this career?
9. What kind of training would you recommend for this field?
10. What are the major challenges in this field?
11. What opportunities do you see arising in this field?
WRITING