Insessional support classes and workshops
The Insessional Support programme is divided into English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP), English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) and General English.
Courses in English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP)
Academic Writing Workshops
Academic writing workshops cover such areas as academic vocabulary, reading strategies, incorporating reading into writing, the process of writing an assignment, and editing. The actual study programme will depend on student needs. There are workshops at undergraduate, masters and doctoral level, some with a particular orientation (e.g. Writing for Science Students). More specialised writing workshops are provided in some Schools (see below). Academic writing workshops are held in Terms 1, 2 & 3.
Dissertation Workshops
Dissertation workshops are intended primarily for masters students. They focus on the difficulties involved in writing longer texts and will include both reflective and practical tasks. The workshops will be tailored according to the needs identified by students. They will be held during Term 3 with follow-up tutorials provided during the summer vacation.
One-to-One Writing Tutorials
One-to-one writing tutorials are provided for the duration of the academic year. They provide students with individualised help with essays, dissertations and other assignments. Doctoral students wishing tutorials should enrol in the Research Students’ Group. Dedicated tutorials are also available for students in some departments. While most tutorials take place on the Streatham Campus, there is some tutorial availability at St Luke’s.
Presentation Skills
This course consists of four workshops which focus on enhancing and developing communicative skills for giving academic presentations. There are many activities designed to develop clarity and coherence in all aspects of presentation skills and participants will all be given the opportunity to give a short presentation and receive detailed feedback. Presentation skills workshops are available in terms 1, 2 and 3.
Language Development
Language Development courses include tutor-led sessions which will help you develop your language skills and opportunities to work on individualised programmes of study in a supportive atmosphere. Most students self-select to take a Language Development course, however some students may be required to attend by their departments or be recommended to do so by their presessional tutor. Language Development courses run in both Terms 1 & 2.
Guided Independent Learning (GIL)
The GIL programme enables you to study on your own with the guidance and support of a tutor. You can use the INTO Learning Resources Centre and web-based resources. ‘Action planning’ and ‘follow-up’ tutorials will help you develop an individualised study programme. Areas for study include grammar, essay planning, vocabulary (including subject specific vocabulary), skills such as listening, note taking and seminar participation, pronunciation, and preparing for English language exams.
The Research Students' Group
The Research Students' Group is intended for students at post-masters level registered on research programmes. By enrolling in the Research Students' Group, student will be kept up to date about dedicated provision for research students.
Courses in English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP) Support within Colleges
Exeter Business School
Provision for masters students consists of workshops in academic writing, listening & note taking, and exam preparation (in Terms 1 & 2), and dissertation writing (Term 3). Undergraduates will be able to attend English for Academic Purposes Workshops during Terms 1 & 2. These are offered to all international first year undergraduates as part of the module BSD1000.
College of Social Sciences and International Studies
Workshops in academic writing and study skills are provided during Terms 1 & 2 in the Graduate School of Education for students on MEd programmes. Individual writing tutorials are available for MEd students for the duration of the academic year. Academic writing and study skills workshops for postgraduate students of Arab & Islamic Studies, Politics, and Sociology & Philosophy are available in Term 1. English for Academic Purposes workshops for masters students of Law (LLM programmes) are offered during Term 1, with dedicated one-to-one tutorial support available for during Term 2.
College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Writing for Science and Technology: This course runs as a series of workshops designed to enhance writing skills for students of science and technology. The content of the workshops is prioritised by the participants and each workshop deals with a different area. These areas can range from writing scientific reports, using synthesis successfully and developing your own voice, to studying specific areas of scientific writing; for example, strategies for writing coherent and cohesive paragraphs or the use of the passive voice in academic writing. This course is available in terms 1 and 2.
College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Writing for Psychologists: This is a series of eight workshops which cover many different aspects of academic writing from the perspective of a student of psychology. Sessions include work on synthesis of materials, finding your own voice, avoiding repetition and copying from source material, effective use of the APA referencing system, using critical analysis, writing a research report and benefitting from tutor feedback. The materials used are psychology-based and relevant to what is being studied by students in the Department of Psychology. This course is available in term 1.
School of Sport and Health Sciences: A writing tutor will be available on a weekly basis in Sport and Health Sciences for the duration of the academic year. These tutorials will be held at St Luke’s Campus by appointment.
Peninsula College of Medicine & Dentistry
Workshops in English for Medical Study are provided for students of Medicine in Terms 1 & 2. One-to-one writing tutorials will be available on a weekly basis at PCMD for the duration of the academic year.
Courses in General English
Oral Communication Skills (OCS)
OCS provides a relaxed atmosphere in which to improve your spoken skills in a wide variety of areas, from negotiating an essay extension to having a discussion in a pub. The focus is, therefore, not so much on academic English as on communicating effectively in different social situations and understanding cultural differences, all of which will help you integrate successfully into the cultural and social life of the university. OCS courses are available in terms 1 and 2.
Current Issues
This course takes a different topic currently in the news each week and allows participants to extend their knowledge of the chosen topic, and their vocabulary through discussion and analysis and vocabulary games. The course is not specifically academic, but gives students the chance to practise skills useful for academic study; especially seminar discussion and critical analysis. Current Issues courses are available in terms 1, 2 and 3.
Grammar Workshop
This workshop will provide much opportunity for students to review some of the key features of the grammar system of English - noun phrase, verb phrase,
types of sentence. Verb tenses and non-finite verb forms. Word classes and their importance. Vocabulary in your field. There will be quizzes, games, and illustrative powerpoints to make this an enjoyable as well as profitable course for students at every level.
Pronunciation Workshop
Building on what last term taught us in terms of designing materials and activities, our useful sessions in the multimedia lab will allow students to make their own recordings and listen back to their efforts. They will also be able to hear and study aspects of connected speech in Enlish; and examine features such as emphasis and stress
of main ideas in a speech or presentation. There will be samples of world, regional, and campus English, and it is hoped that students who attend will also be given an invidual consultation on the challenges they have found in speaking and listening to English.
Preparation for Work
These workshops help students planning to work in an English-speaking context in writing CVs, covering letters and personal statements, and in preparing for job interviews. Preparation for Work courses are offered in Term 3. Students in Exeter Business School will also be able to attend dedicated workshops for international students during Terms 1 & 2 as part of the Business School’s own employability programme.
General English courses can be used as components in the Exeter Award.
