A programme of free English classes is provided for all full time fee-paying overseas students who are registered for courses in university departments. This includes undergraduates, Masters students and PhD research students. These classes are not obligatory; students tend to attend regularly early in the academic year, but numbers reduce by the second semester. However, new research students arrive throughout the year, so the course runs from October until June.

The main lessons are held during the lunchtime break between 1.00 and 2.00pm from Monday to Friday during the Autumn, Spring and Summer Terms.

They deal with:

GRAMMAR and WRITING

ACADEMIC WRITING

LISTENING COMPREHENSION

READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS

SEMINAR SKILLS / SPEAKING and PRONUNCIATION

There are workshops on three afternoons a week, which deal with grammar, pronunciation and writing. During the Autumn Term, the afternoon grammar and writing slots repeat the lunchtime materials so that students who have timetable clashes do not miss out. The pronunciation workshop deals with a range of sounds and speaking skills.

During the rest of the year, the afternoon classes are in the form of WORKSHOPS, where students can request help with various problem areas, for example, particular pronunciation problems, grammar points, etc.

Individual Appointments

Individual appointments are available, during which students can ask for help with writing problems, grammar problems, presentation practice etc. Students book in advance with the tutor and bring their work with them.

These appointments are not proof reading sessions of entire essays, assignments or theses. A few pages of text will be closely scrutinised for recurring errors, an error analysis sheet will be produced, and students will then be encouraged to go away and correct their own work. 

Departmental Provision

This year, additional help is being provided for the overseas students in Business and Law, and tutors are working alongside staff in these departments to give subject specific help to those students who are struggling with language problems.

Blackboard Site

A summary of the Academic Writing Course, which is delivered in the Autumn Term, is now on the English Language Support Blackboard site. There is also a section on speaking skills, and the Grammar and Writing Course materials are gradually being added.

All overseas students on the International Student email list can access this site. To acccess the Blackboard site please use the navigation links on the left or click  here

For more information about the Academic Support classes please contact us