TASK 2 Group Work & Projects (2015): (Transferable Academic Skills Kit (TASK) 2015 edition)

A modular academic skills course developed in collaboration with the University of Reading.

Table of Contents:
Contents Unit 1: What is group work and why is it important? Unit 2: Project planning Unit 3: Preparing and presenting ideas in group discussions Unit 4: Communicating effectively in group discussions Unit 5: Encouraging interactions Unit 6: Evaluating group performance Web work Extension activities Glossary

About the Author :
Amanda Fava-Verdé began her teaching career in France, where she specialized in Business English for professionals. She is currently Course Tutor for the University of Reading International Foundation Programme, where she teaches English and Academic Skills. Her area of expertise is English for Academic Purposes and her research interests relate specifically to Second Language Academic Writing and Online Language Learning. Amanda has a keen interest in academic acculturation and is conducting longitudinal research tracking the progress of international students through to graduation. An e-learning enthusiast, she is an active member of Webheads-in-Action - an online community of practice of language teachers worldwide. She holds an MA in English Language Teaching from the University of Reading, the Diploma in TESOL from Trinity College, London, and the Online Education and Training Certificate from the Institute of Education (London). Amanda co-authored two of the TASK (Transferable Academic Skills Kit) modules: Essay Writing and Problem Solving. Dr Anthony Manning is Dean for Internationalisation at the University of Kent and was formerly Director of the Centre for English and World Languages. Anthony is one of the original creators of the TASK (Transferable Academic Skills Kit) series and he remains one of the main authors of the second edition of this range of books. Also for Garnet, Anthony has written Assessing EAP and English for Language and Linguistics as part of the ESAP series. Anthony has written a number of other books and journal contributions for other publishers. Before joining the University of Kent, Anthony was Assistant Director to what is now the International Study and Language Institute at the University of Reading. Anthony also taught in France, Germany, China and Japan. He has also been a lecturer at a Japanese College situated within the University of Durham, and at an International College in Reading. Anthony has a Doctorate in Education and Applied Linguistics with a focus on language testing. He has delivered seminar papers at ALTE, IATEFL, InForm and BALEAP conferences on the subject of English for academic purposes, language assessment and academic skills development. Clare Nukui is Programme Director of the International Foundation Programme (IFP) at the University of Reading. She teaches EAP and Academic skills and is also responsible for the pastoral welfare of the students on the IFP. Clare is the author of four books in the Garnet Education TASK (Transferable Academic Skills Kit) series. She has also written materials for BBC English and book reviews for its corresponding magazine. She is a member of the editorial committee of InForm, a new journal for IFP professionals. She has delivered workshops and seminar papers on working with Japanese students and academic skills development at foundation level at IATEFL and has also lectured at the British Council, Tokyo on the History of English as a Global Language. Before joining the University of Reading, Clare taught in Nigeria, Hong Kong and Canada. She was also an EFL teacher at the Swan School, Oxford and a lecturer at an International College in Reading. Clare’s research interests include the teaching of Critical Thinking, Plagiarism and Intercultural Communication. She has MAs in Applied Linguistics and Social Anthropology which have helped bring together her diverse interests. Elisabeth Wilding is Deputy Head of the International Study and Language Institute at the University of Reading. She is a member of the editorial committee of InForm, the journal for IFP professionals. Elisabeth’s teaching and research interests relate to technology-enhanced learning, MOOCs, and academic skills development. Elisabeth has co-authored two course books in the 2015 TASK (Transferable Academic Skills Kit) series: Presentations and Research and Online Sources.