Embedding key transferable employability skills for lifelong success through blending an innovative portfolio to complement traditionalududassessment

摘要

Southampton Solent University has been running the unit ENG195 Applied and Academic English Advanced for international students since 2008 as part of the Institution-Wide Language Programme. Following the implementation of a new employability strategy in 2013, the unit was revalidated in July 2014, which led to a major redesign of the curriculum for delivery from the academic year 2014 - 2015. In addition to having updated academic content, it now has a specific focus on employability skills and their transferability to the real world. In particular, this paper evaluates the assessment practice on this unit in terms of the embedding of employability into the three assessed elements which consist of a Reading Test, a Speaking Test and an online Portfolio. Student feedback so far has been very positive, highlighting the usefulness of the unit, not just for academic study whilst at university, but for the world of work.