English Language Support
Support classes and workshops aim to help students on undergraduate, masters or research programmes with the language requirements of their academic studies. The English Language Skills Development programme also includes some General English courses, which can be used as components in the Exeter Award.
All teaching takes place online in 'live' (synchronous) and asynchronous classes using MS Teams or Zoom. Each course is linked to a dedicated ELE page providing additional materials, with links to the Guided Independent Learning (GIL) Sharepoint.
To participate in the programme, you must register and then enrol on the programme.
Academic Writing Skills
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Academic Writing Courses: These courses run in terms 1, 2 & 3. Separate courses for UG, Masters and Doctoral students. These workshops cover areas such as:
Dedicated academic writing workshops for different subject areas are also available as part of the Subject Specific English suite. See below for more details |
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Dissertation Writing Courses: These courses run in term 3. Tailored to the needs of Masters students and focused on the difficulties involved in writing longer texts. Follow-up, one-to-one writing tutorials are provided during the summer vacation. Dedicated dissertation writing workshops for Business School students are also available as part of the Subject Specific English suite. See below for more details |
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Language Development: These courses run in terms 1 & 2. The courses help students extend the range and accuracy of their language use, focusing at sentence level and emphasising complex sentences. Key areas of grammar and lexis will be covered. Dedicated language development workshops for Business School students are also available as part of the Subject Specific English suite. See below for more details. |
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One-to-one Tutorials: Available throughout the academic year to help students with essays, dissertations and other assignments. All tutorials are held online via Teams, Zoom or Skype. There are also dedicated one-to-one tutorials held in some Colleges. See below for further details. |
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Guided Independent Learning (GIL): Available throughout the academic year. The GIL programme enables students to study on their own with the guidance and support of a tutor. Students can use the online resources available on the Guided Independent Learning SharePoint site. In addition, ‘Action planning’ and ‘follow-up’ tutorials help students follow individualised study programmes. Areas for study include grammar, essay planning, vocabulary, listening, note taking, seminar participation, pronunciation, and preparing for English language exams. |
Skills for Seminars and Tutorials
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Presentation Skills This course runs in terms 1, 2 & 3. The course will enable you to enhance your communication skills in the context of giving an academic presentation. Participants are able to give a short presentation and receive detailed feedback. There is a strong focus on activities aimed at developing clarity and coherence, both in organisation and oral expression. |
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Current Issues Run in terms 1, 2 & 3. Although Current Issues actually forms part of our Social and Cultural English Suite, it is a useful way to build skills for seminars and group tutorials. It provides a forum for discussion of current affairs based on news broadcasts and other sources. |
Courses in the Social and Cultural English Suite (including Current Issues - see above) can be used as components in the Exeter Award.
Oral fluency and confidence
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Oral Communication Skills: Run in terms 1& 2. OCS is all about spoken communication in social contexts and situations and includes information on UK (United Kingdom) cultural events and activities. Students have plenty of opportunity to practise their oral skills with each other on topics which, while not specifically academic, will help them to integrate successfully into the cultural and social life of the University. |
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Current Issues: Run in terms 1, 2 & 3. Current Issues provides excellent seminar practice via discussion of topics of current importance in the world and includes valuable vocabulary input.
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Conversation cafes: This is an opportunity to sit down with people from Exeter and enjoy talking on your choice of subjects in a social relaxed atmosphere: no preparation needed, and refreshments are provided. The idea is to practise your fluency in a relaxed, social atmosphere and ask all those questions about the UK and Exeter you have wanted to ask and talk about your own countries too. |
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Pronunciation: Run in term1, 2 & 3. These workshops involve plenty of practice and interaction with the tutor with the aim of making students more aware of key features of spoken English, from individual sounds and word stress to sentence stress and intonation. |
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Intercultural Communication: Run in terms 1, 2 & 3. These workshops aim to improve your intercultural competence and help you excel in an international learning environment. |
Preparation for work
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Run in term 3. These workshops help students planning to work in an English-speaking context with writing CVs, covering letters, personal statements, and preparing for job interviews. Employability support workshops are also run specifically for Business School students in terms 1, 2 & 3. |
The Family Class
These classes are intended for the spouses and partners of students and staff at the University of Exeter. They are available during term time and follow University terms. The content focuses on communication and practical knowledge about life in the UK. Students can join at any time. Class times and locations are provided on the website.
Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy |
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Academic English for Postgraduates in Engineering Provision runs in terms 1, 2 and 3 and provides practical strategies to extend and expand academic written and spoken English. Workshops in terms 2 and 3 focus on dissertation proposals, dissertation writing and oral interviews. Academic Writing for Science This course runs in terms 1 and 2 and focuses on specific skills and strategies including use of source material, research reports, data commentary, academic style and organisation techniques. This course is suitable for students studying on any Science programmes at the university. Academic English for Business Workshops run in terms 1, 2 and 3. The provision is open to students at all levels including doctoral students in Business. A range of language skills are covered, including:
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Faculty of Health and Life Sciences |
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Academic Writing for Sports and Health Sciences Provision runs in terms 1, 2 and 3 and provides practical strategies to extend and expand academic written English. In addition to a course of workshops open to all SHS students, assignment specific workshops are available for PGTs and UGs. Academic Writing for Psychologists This course runs in terms 1 and 2 and aims to expand skills and strategies for written work. Sessions include input on synthesising sources, evaluative writing, understanding tutor feedback and accurately answering assignment questions. This course is open to students on any psychology programme. Professional English for Medicine and Healthcare A series of five workshops running across terms 1 and 2 and covering English skills specifically relevant to students on medical, clinical and healthcare programmes. Sessions cover communicating with patients, reflective and scientific writing and effective teamwork. Academic Writing for Science This course runs in terms 1 and 2 and focuses on specific skills and strategies including use of source material, research reports, data commentary, academic style and organisation techniques. This course is suitable for students studying on any Science programmes at the university.
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Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences |
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Academic English for Postgraduates in English and Film: Terms 1 and 2 Academic English for Postgraduates in Drama: Terms 1, 2 and 3. Dedicated group tutorials. Dedicated One-to-one tutorials. Academic English for Postgraduates in International Film Business: Terms 1 and 2. Dedicated one-to-one tutorials in term 3. Academic English for Postgraduates in History: Terms 1 and 2. Dedicated one-to-one tutorials in term 1 and 3. Academic English for Postgraduates in Modern Languages, Cultures and Visual Studies: Terms 1, 2 and 3. Dedicated one-to-one tutorials in term 1, 2 and 3. Academic English for the School of Education: Terms 1 and 2. Dedicated one-to-one tutorials available in terms 1, 2 and 3. Academic English for LLM: Term 1 and 2. Dedicated one-to-one tutorials available in terms 2 and 3. Academic English for LLB: Terms 1and 2. Academic English for Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies: Terms 1 and 2 including dedicated one-to-one tutorials. Academic English for Postgraduate Social Scientists: Terms 1 and 2 Academic English for Undergraduate Social Scientists: Terms 1 and 2 Key areas of focus in all these courses include:
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Guided Independent Learning (GIL) is part of the English Language Skills Development programme. Through GIL you can improve your academic and general English independently and in your own time whilst still being able to get guidance and advice from a team of experienced EAP (English for academic purposes) tutors.
You can choose how to engage in GIL according to your needs and your preferences:
- Use our diagnostic tools to pinpoint areas that you want to work on.
- Book an Action Planning tutorial to get advice from a tutor on a targeted approach to developing your language.
- Explore our guided lessons to understand what is expected and how you can use language for better academic performance. Follow the links to useful additional skills development and practice exercises.
- Navigate to our online resources and find input on the skills you specifically want to focus on.
- Join our Yammer community to ask questions, get advice, and find out what other students are asking about. All registered students will be automatically added to the Yammer group - please email insessional@exeter.ac.uk for more information.