Problem Solving: University Foundation Study Course Book(Module 5 Transferable Academic Skills Kit (TASK))

Transferable Academic Skills Kit: Module 5: Problem-Solving The Garnet Education Transferable Academic Skill Kit was short-listed for the Duke of Edinburgh English Speaking Union English Language Book Award in 2008. TASK is a flexible learning resource that has been carefully designed to develop the key transferable skills that promote students' success in university and college study. Whether you are a student or a teacher, the TASK series provides a tried and tested teaching and learning tool suitable for a broad range of academic disciplines. A series of supported exercises relates theory to practice and provides students with the tools to develop a framework of skills that can then be used in a wide range of contexts both inside and outside the academic world. TASK can be followed as a complete course or individual modules can be selected to address specific needs. Created by members of the academic staff of the International Foundation Programme at the University of Reading, TASK forms a part of the university's skills provision for home and international students at all levels. Key Features * Looks at different types of problems * Teaches students to evaluate different problems and deal with them effectively * Develops an awareness of problem-solving procedures and techniques * Teaches students how to break down a problem and gather information to solve it * Improves students' ability to evaluate a solution * Teaches students to think more creatively Also available as a boxed set of all twelve modules.

Table of Contents:
Contents Unit 1: What is problem-solving? Unit 2: Problem-solving strategies Unit 3: The problem-solving process Unit 4: Elaborating the problem Unit 5: Finding the best solution Unit 6: Creative thinking

About the Author :
Amanda Fava-Verde 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. Jennifer Book has been teaching English as a foreign language since the early 1990s. She has spent time working in Italy and London and currently works for the University of Sussex where she teaches a variety of courses including general English, young learners and teacher training on the BA and MA in ELT. She has written materials for the TASK (Transferable Academic Skills Kit) series for Garnet Education and the BBC world service.

Review :
"A very important awareness-raising package for all who use it - including teachers and professors." "A must for every university and academic institution where overseas students are studying for a degree." "Exceptionally clear, motivating and highly relevant to student achievement." "The glossaries are particularly helpful as are the many references to websites which develop ideas mentioned in the text." Duke of Edinburgh ESU English Language Award judges "The most up-to-date and student-friendly collection of skills-based workbooks." Dr Monika Foster, Napier University "Equips students with skills which are necessary and transferable to work contexts." IATEFL Voices Newsletter "It's fantastic." Barbara Betinelli, Milan State University, Italy "Very useful in helping to promote learner autonomy, critical reflection and intercultural competence." Cynthia Sikorski, University of Lausanne, Switzerland