Programme Summary
This programme is aimed at helping university staff strengthen their English skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing, which are essential for everyday interactions and academic success. Alongside language development, participants will explore aspects of English-speaking cultures and engage with proven, research-informed learning materials that support individual goals.
A key component of the programme is its support for staff preparing to teach through English in English-Medium Instruction (EMI) settings. The course builds participants' confidence in communication, cultural understanding, and innovative, interactive and group based teaching practices suited to today’s diverse, international classrooms.
Core Areas of Focus:
Speaking - The course provides structured opportunities to develop fluency in both informal and formal spoken English. Participants engage with a variety of topics, practise using idiomatic and natural expressions, and refine their presentation techniques for academic and professional contexts. Emphasis is placed on building confidence when communicating with both native and non-native speakers.
Listening - The listening component focuses on strategies for effective comprehension and note-taking. Course materials expose participants to a wide range of English accents and spoken styles, supporting the development of vocabulary used in everyday conversation as well as in academic and work based settings.
Reading - This part of the course supports the development of efficient reading strategies such as skimming, scanning, and inference. Participants work with academic texts and authentic materials to build confidence in summarising key ideas and identifying meaning from context.
Writing - The writing strand highlights the distinctions between general and academic English. Participants receive support in developing skills for standardised test writing (including TOEFL, GRE, and IELTS) and may undertake an optional academic writing task tailored to their area of interest or professional focus.
Explore key insights from past participants' feedback and performance data by clicking on the links below.
Overall Impact Academic English Data Highlights
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Participants reported a wide range of positive outcomes from the course. Many experienced noticeable gains in speaking confidence, reduced anxiety in public settings, and improved fluency in everyday conversations. The immersive English-speaking environment was especially valued, helping lecturers and other university staff strengthen their listening and speaking skills through regular interaction and engaging activities. Several participants also noted greater clarity and precision when expressing themselves in professional contexts, particularly when teaching in English. The course further supported academic communication by developing key skills such as note-taking, vocabulary expansion, and writing accuracy. Participants appreciated the blend of practical resources, personalised feedback, and self-study materials, which encouraged continued learning beyond class time. The inclusion of British, European, and American cultural elements added interest and enriched their understanding of global English varieties. Overall, the course provided a supportive and motivating space for growth, enabling staff to communicate more confidently and effectively in academic, professional, and everyday settings.
Summarised Academic English Data in Written Form
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Quantitative Data Highlights
The course received exceptional ratings across all evaluated areas, with an average Likert scale agreement consistently above 4.6. This highlights the programme’s overall quality, excellence and impact.
Overall Usefulness
Participants rated the programme’s usefulness at an impressive 4.85, emphasizing its ability to meet diverse language learning needs.
Confidence and Motivation
Confidence and motivation saw the highest rating of 4.92, showcasing the programme's ability to empower lecturers and other university staff. Many participants reported feeling more prepared to communicate in academic and professional settings.
Skill Development
The course significantly enhanced core general and academic language skills:
- Speaking Skills: Scored 4.77, reflecting improved conversational fluency and academic presentation abilities.
- Listening Skills: Rated at 4.62, the course effectively developed comprehension of various accents and academic vocabulary.
- Reading Skills: Achieving 4.69, participants praised techniques such as speed reading and summarizing.
- Writing Skills: With a score of 4.62, students reported growth in academic writing and grammar use.
Future Applications
An agreement level of 4.85 highlighted the course's potential to prepare lecturers for teaching in EMI contexts, ensuring sustainable benefits for participants' careers.
Quantitative Data Highlights
Participant testimonials emphasized specific impacts, such as:
- Practical Communication: Many cited improved ability to think directly in English, reduced anxiety, and better fluency during conversations.
- Academic Success: Structured class-opening activities and note-taking strategies helped participants feel more confident.
- Professional Growth: Some lecturers noted enhancements in their ability to teach complex subjects in English, improving overall teaching quality.
Summarised Academic English Data in Graphical Form
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Graphical Data Highlights
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