Pre-university
This unique course is designed for those students who are seeking to perfect and polish their
English language skills to become successful Brac University students. This course is for those
students who proved themselves competent in their respective discipline during the admission
test except in English.
This twelve weeks long intensive programme which encourages holistic approach based on
critical thinking and inquiry is designed by an American fellow Beth Trudell. The goal of this
course is to assist the students to become active and independent learners, critical thinkers,
responsible and thoughtful adults and most importantly successful university students. Reading
and writing classes in this course provide opportunities to read, annotate and talk about a variety
of texts. It introduces writing as a systematic and creative task. Listening and speaking classes
prepare students for real-world speaking situations such as solving problems, exchanging
information and describing their experiences. Critical thinking and enhancement classes add a
new creative element. These multi skilled classes based on specific interest provide exposure and
help the students to reason, converse and build analytical skills. The students who come from
mainstream Bangla medium background enjoy this intellectually challenging and welcoming
atmosphere.
Specific Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will be able to
Demonstrate comprehension of academic texts
Find main ideas, supporting details, and write marginal notes
Write well organized paragraphs (e.g. process, compare or contrast and persuasive
paragraphs)
Apply critical thinking skills to analyze problems and generate ideas
Expand ideas in social, national and international issues
Deliver impromptu and planned academic presentations
Apply group process skills
Construct questions for interviews
Create and maintain a portfolio of work for recording students’ continuous development
I. Format and Procedures:
This course offers five core classes namely Listening/Speaking, Writing, Reading, Critical
Thinking and Enhancement. Writing classes are conducted four times a week,
Listening/Speaking classes three times, Reading and Critical Thinking twice and Enhancement
class once in a week. One of the significant aspects of this course is Parent-Teacher Meeting.
Though different teachers are responsible for teaching different classes, they sit together in a
reflection meeting every week to discuss on the lesson plans and reflect on the students’
performance of each class. The duration of this course is fourteen weeks or one semester.
II. Our Assumptions:
In Pre-University course, one of our assumptions regarding the writing is that it is a process
rather than a product. So we expect our students to get involved in the process of writing which
means that they will be involved in writing multiple drafts. We also believe that speaking fluency
cannot be achieved without constant practice. So, we have many class activities designed to give
students ample opportunities to improve their speaking skills.
III. Course Requirements:
Students will be assessed through attendance, class participation, assignment, presentation, quiz,
portfolio, reflective journal, midterm and final exam.
a. Students have to pass each of the components (S/L, W, R, CT& ENH) separately to pass
the course.
b. The grading system of Pre-University is Pass or Fail. Pass mark is 70%.
c. Exams cannot be missed without any valid reason. If any student fails to attend
any exam (i.e. Midterm and Final) or submit any assignment without any valid
reason, he or she will fail in the course.
d. In case of taking makeup Midterm or Final examination, the student must submit an
application with necessary document(s) and pay a fine.
e. All assignments must be submitted within or on due date. There will be negative marking
in case a student fails to submit any assignment on time.
f. Students must bring their booklet and all the accessories required for the classroom use
including: pen, pencil, colour pencil, eraser, ruler, notebook, poster paper and a file with
A4 size papers.
g. Students must communicate with their teachers and classmates in English.
h. Students will be asked to maintain a portfolio for the writing class and make sure to
preserve all the class works, home works, first and revised drafts in order according to the
date. They will also write journal in every alternate week by reflecting on their
progression in learning. At the end of the semester, they will submit both the portfolio
and journal to the respective teachers.
IV. Class attendance and participation policy:
Class attendance is mandatory. If a student does not maintain 90% attendance in the first two
months, he/she will not be allowed to continue the Pre-University course. Anyone coming 10
minutes after the class starts will not be allowed to enter into the classroom.
All students are expected to participate actively. If anyone fails to give notable effort in class and
is also found inattentive, he/she will be eliminated from the course after midterm examination.
V. Academic Integrity
a. Plagiarism
Plagiarism is not allowed and it is considered as a serious offence. Plagiarism occurs when
someone uses another person’s ideas and words without giving him or her proper credit. It is not
enough to change in words, even if s/he paraphrases another person’s ideas. One should
acknowledge the source by appropriate citation. This issue will be discussed in detail in the class.
b. Cheating
Cheating is a serious offence. Cheating occurs when someone copies homework from another
student or looks another student’s paper during examination, give someone exam answers and
recycle assignment.
VI. Accommodation for special ability students
We are committed to serve the needs of special ability students. In the first week of the course,
teachers try to identify students who might need special accommodation. Then, the name and
contact details of these students are sent to the counselling unit so that they can arrange a one to
one session with these students on how to accommodate them in a better way in the class.