Assessment
Task
You are required to write a 3,000-word essay on one of the following topics. Your essay must be original and demonstrate a solid understanding of the topic, supported by relevant academic references. Be sure to paraphrase your sources and cite them correctly both in-text and in your reference section. The essay should be submitted via Turnitin (Weblearn) and represents 100% of your final mark. If you wish to explore another topic, you must first consult and receive approval from the module leader.
1. What is “Standard English”? Discuss the extent to which this concept refers to an actual form of English or an abstract/ideological construct and evaluate its relevance to English language teaching today.
2. Is English a sexist language? Provide examples to support your argument and discuss the relevance of exploring the relationship between language and gender in the classroom. Feel free to develop an argument about English in isolation or compare it with another language (or languages) you are familiar with.
3. What is English as a Lingua Franca (ELF)? Explore the extent to which such a phenomenon has motivated a paradigm shift in English language teaching and discuss its implications for classroom practice.
4. What do we mean by “politeness”? Compare and contrast the politeness systems of two (or more) languages and suggest strategies that English teachers can employ to better support learners who speak those languages.
5. Define and explain the concept of “translanguaging” as both a multilingual phenomenon and a pedagogical practice. Discuss how English teachers and learners in multilingual classrooms can benefit from translanguaging and propose methods for integrating it into the classroom.
6. To what extent is Global Englishes Language Teaching relevant to your teaching context? Assess whether and how this approach may be applied to your teaching context, addressing both potential benefits and challenges. Provide examples of classroom activities that can support its implementation.
7. To what extent does ELT contribute to the decay or revitalisation of other languages? Explore the processes of language decay and revitalisation, providing examples from real-world language policy and planning. Evaluate the impact that the spread of English has had on these processes.
8. What is native-speakerism in ELT? Discuss the presence and influence of native-speakerism in ELT policies, practices, and/or materials in a specific context. Suggest ways this ideology could be challenged within the classroom.
Summary of Assessment Requirements
The assessment requires students to produce a 3,000-word academic essay on one selected topic from the eight provided themes related to English language, linguistics, and contemporary ELT practices. Key expectations include:
Key Requirements
- Choose one topic from the given list (or propose a new topic with module leader approval).
- Write an original, 3,000-word essay, demonstrating depth of understanding and independent critical thinking.
- Use relevant academic references, paraphrase correctly, and apply proper in-text citations and a reference list.
- Ensure originality the essay will be submitted via Turnitin, and plagiarism will result in penalties.
- Provide clear argumentation, supported by examples, scholarly sources, and critical evaluation.
- Engage with theoretical concepts, apply them to ELT/classroom contexts where required, and demonstrate academic writing competency.
The essay accounts for 100% of the final grade, making adherence to instructions, originality, and academic integrity essential.
How the Academic Mentor Guided the Student
The Academic Mentor adopted a systematic, supportive process to help the student understand the task, select a suitable topic, structure the essay, and develop strong academic writing skills.
Below is the step-by-step breakdown:
Step 1: Understanding the Task and Selecting the Topic
The mentor first helped the student review all eight topics, discussing:
- The scope of each topic
- The theoretical background required
- The student’s personal interests and familiarity
- The amount of available academic literature
After evaluating these factors, the mentor guided the student in selecting a topic that aligned with their strengths and had sufficient research depth.
Step 2: Breaking Down the Essay Requirements
To avoid confusion, the mentor explained:
- What a 3,000-word academic essay should include
- The importance of argument, critical analysis, and a clear thesis
- The necessity of citing peer-reviewed sources
- Turnitin expectations and how to avoid plagiarism through paraphrasing
This helped the student clearly understand the expectations before starting.
Step 3: Developing the Essay Structure
The mentor guided the student in building a structured outline:
- Introduction: Define key terms, present the central argument, and outline the essay.
- Body Sections:
- Theoretical background
- Critical discussion
- Examples or classroom implications
- Comparison of viewpoints
- Conclusion: Summarize findings and reinforce the argument.
This framework ensured clarity and logical flow.
Step 4: Research and Literature Review
The mentor showed the student how to:
- Search academic databases (Google Scholar, JSTOR, ResearchGate)
- Identify peer-reviewed sources
- Extract relevant arguments
- Paraphrase without plagiarising
- Integrate theory with examples
The mentor also recommended leading authors depending on the chosen topic (e.g., Seidlhofer for ELF, Pennycook for Global Englishes, etc.).
Step 5: Writing the Draft
The student was guided to write section-by-section, beginning with the introduction.
The mentor reviewed each part and provided feedback on:
- Clarity
- Coherence
- Academic tone
- Correct use of terminology
- Appropriateness of examples
- Logical progression of arguments
Plagiarism checks were encouraged throughout the writing process to maintain originality.
Step 6: Refining the Arguments and Strengthening the Conclusion
The mentor encouraged deeper analysis by:
- Comparing multiple scholarly viewpoints
- Adding examples from real teaching contexts or policies
- Demonstrating critical engagement with the literature
The conclusion was revised to ensure it aligned with the argument and answered the essay question comprehensively.
Step 7: Final Editing, Referencing, and Turnitin Preparation
The mentor guided the student on:
- Correcting grammar and academic style
- Improving coherence between paragraphs
- Ensuring consistent referencing (APA/Harvard)
- Performing a final originality check
- Making final corrections before uploading to Turnitin
This ensured the submission met academic and ethical standards.
Final Outcome and Learning Objectives Achieved
By following the mentor-guided process, the student successfully produced:
- A well-structured, original 3,000-word academic essay
- Supported by strong scholarly references
- Demonstrating critical analysis and evaluative thinking
- With accurate paraphrasing and proper citation
- Fully aligned with the topic requirements and academic expectation
