Arab Open University Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) FACULTY OF LANGUAGE STUDIES U214A/B TMA COVER FORM (2015/2016) Branch: Program: Course Title: Course Code: Student Name: Student ID: Section Number:: Tutor Name: Mark Allocated to TMA STUDENT MA

Arab Open University
Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA)

FACULTY OF LANGUAGE STUDIES
U214A/B TMA COVER FORM (2015/2016)
Branch: Program:
Course Title: Course Code:
Student Name: Student ID:
Section Number:: Tutor Name:

Mark Allocated
to TMA STUDENT MARK

20% for content : a max of 20 marks marks deducted for language errors & absence of referencing: a maximum of 4 marks Earned Mark


Notes on plagiarism:
A. According to the Arab Open University By-laws, “the following acts represent cases of cheating and plagiarism:
 Verbatim copying of printed material and submitting them as part of TMAs without proper academic acknowledgement and documentation.
 Verbatim copying of material from the Internet, including tables and graphics.
 Copying other students’ notes or reports.
 Using paid or unpaid material prepared for the student by individuals or firms.
B. Penalties for plagiarism ranges from failure in the TMA to expulsion from the university.

Declaration: I hereby declare that the submitted TMA is my own work and I have not copied any other person’s work or plagiarized in any other form as specified above.
Student Signature:

TMA feedback: (PT3)













U214B TMA
Semester 1, 2015-2016
Cut-off date: Week 10
Length: 1500-2000 words

Question

Discuss the knowledge that learners need to acquire in order to communicate effectively in English.

Areas of Discussion

Areas of discussing the TMA’s topic are related to U214B Course Book 2 and specifically Unit 3.

Important Guidelines

Discussing the TMA’s subject matter has to draw on the following ideas:
1. Crystal’s categories (5 pts)
2. The linguistic and prosodic features (5pts)
3. Formulaic language, rules of use and interactional routines (5 pts)
4. Linguistic competence and linguistic performance (5pts)
N.B. Students need to read in depth Unit 3 and think about the TMA questions as they read. Students need to take notes from Unit 3 and DVD 2 on areas related to the TMA question.
When writing, students need to pay attention to structure, layout and correct language and use appropriate referencing and citation.

Recommended Bibliography

• Cheepen, C., and Monaghan, J. (1990). Spoken English: A Practical Guide. London. Pinter.
• Cook, G. (2000). Language Play, Language Learning. Oxford. Oxford University Press.
• Crystal, D. (2012). “A global language”, in Seargeant, P. and Swann, J., (eds.) English in the World: History, Diversity, Change. Milton Keynes. The Open University.
• Hewings, M. and Nickerson, C. (eds.) Business English: research into Practice. Harlow. Longman.
• Kenner, C., Kress, G., Al-Khatib, H., Kwok, G. and Kam, R. (2004). Becoming Biliterate. Stoke-on-Trent. Trentham Books.
•
Using e-Library
 You can include information from the course book but it is highly recommended to use external sources from the e-library.
 You are requested to visit the e-library on campus and use it to carry out your TMAs properly.
 You are also requested to show your tutor that you used the e-library to complete your TMA. But avoid submitting a copy/paste paper, it is a plagiarized work, which is strictly banned and firmly penalized by AOU.

Guidelines on Plagiarism

If you submit an assignment that contains work other than yours without acknowledging the sources, you are committing plagiarism. This might occur when:
• Using a sentence or phrase that you have come across
• Copying word-for-word directly from a text
• Paraphrasing the words from the text very closely
• Using text downloaded from the Internet
• Borrowing statistics or assembled fact from another person or source
• Copying or downloading figures, photographs, pictures or diagrams without acknowledging your sources
• Copying from the notes or essays of a fellow student

(Slightly adapted from OU document on quoting versus plagiarism)

It is important to remember that plagiarism is strictly barred and would be subject to punitive action by the Arab Open University.




Marking Descriptor

GRADE CONTENT LANGUAGE & ORGANIZATION
A
Excellent answers showing confident and wide-ranging knowledge of core material, good understanding of any relevant theory, and a capacity to address the question in a structural, direct and effective way, thoughtfully and with insight. Originality of thought or ideas from outside the course are an added asset. Examples are to the point. - Has an introduction defining plan of essay.
- Body divided into several paragraphs
- Conclusion which directly relates arguments to topic.
- Error-free grammar & register.
- Wide range of specialized terminology.
B to B+
Very good answers showing secure knowledge of course materials. Adopting an analytical approach and providing relevant discussion covering most of the key issues. Distinguished from A answers by being less insightful or by showing less comprehensive knowledge of the course. - First four criteria above maintained
- Demonstrates extensive grammar control.
- Terminology specialized but less varied.
C to C+
Competent answers reflecting adequate knowledge of the more directly relevant course material and concepts, with reasonable structure and adequate coherence related to the question set. - Introduction and/or conclusion short but still satisfactory.
- Less grammar control than above.
- Good range of specialized terminology.
D

Answers which omit some concepts /evidence and/or lack coherence /structure, and/or make minor errors while still demonstrating basic understanding. Or Bare pass answers which show awareness of some relevant material and attempt to relate it to the question. - Introduction and/or conclusion short but acceptable.
- Few grammatical errors that impede communication.
- Above average range of specialized terminology.
- Slightly confused introduction and/or conclusion, but body still fair.
- No evidence of editing.
- Some error types that impede communication.
- Fair range of specialized terminology.
F
Answers which attempt to draw upon relevant material but do not reflect sufficient knowledge of the course and/or neglect the focus required by the question, and/or are incomplete in some important aspects whilst being acceptable in others. - No introduction and /or no conclusion.
- Body badly organized or irrelevant.
- Poor grammar control (extremely limited range of grammar & register).
- Limited or not specialized range of terminology.