If you are preparing to study at a university where the first language is English, this course aims to help you understand what is expected, develop skills to help you learn independently, and build your confidence.

About the course

You will have the opportunity to review the key vocabulary and concepts used in a university setting, and discover what tutors expect from students. You will also have the opportunity to practice skills to help you expand your vocabulary for an academic setting, including tools to help you pronounce new words.

Check out: Do You Speak Academic English?

This course is part of the Pre-sessional English Online Award.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key vocabulary and concepts for the UK university context
  • Exploring the approach to teaching and learning in UK universities
  • Developing dictionary skills
  • Analyzing word forms and word families
  • Accessing and writing definitions
  • Introduction to the phonemic chart and how to use it to support learning and pronunciation skills

What will you learn?

By the end of the course, you'll be able to...

  • Interpret key academic terminology and explore its importance and relevance to successful UK university study.
  • Identify key features and conventions of academic culture in the UK, both online and on campus.
  • Apply the use of a dictionary to help you extend your academic vocabulary range.
  • Record new words effectively.
  • Identify the form of definitions, and produce your own.
  • Produce the phonemic chart to help you pronounce new words.

Who is the course for?

This course is for any student who is planning to study at a university where English is the main language. It’s primarily for students whose first language is not English but will also be useful for students who are coming into higher education after a long period away from studying, or who are mature students looking for an opportunity to refresh their study skills. It will help to prepare students for both study on an online degree and at a university campus.

English for Academic Study is the first course on the Pre-sessional English Online Award delivered by Coventry University, which helps students improve their English language and academic skills for university study. The Award is aimed at students who are 0.5 IELTS below university entry requirements.

About the instructors

Gareth Jones has been teaching English to learners around the world for 14 years and has helped hundreds of students to successfully progress to university study in the UK.

Mary Forbes has taught English as a Foreign Language for more than thirty years in Egypt, Japan and at universities in the UK. I am now Director of Pre-sessional English Courses at Coventry University.

Graeme Nelson is a Course Leader on Pre-sessional English programs at Coventry University. He has a Masters in Online and Distance Education and over 12 years of experience in online education.

Start: January 14, 2019

Duration: 2 weeks, 3 hours per week

Language: English

Instructors: Gareth Jones  Mary Forbes Graeme Nelson

Institution: Coventry University

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