ESOL: Academic English (modular)

Description

This course is designed to help adult learners develop the necessary language skills for academic success in an English-speaking environment. Through a combination of reading, writing, listening, and speaking exercises, participants will enhance their abilities to comprehend and produce academic texts, engage in critical thinking, and effectively communicate their ideas in written and spoken English. 

Course Duration: 12 weeks (24 sessions)

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

1. Improve their academic vocabulary and understanding of complex grammatical structures.
2. Enhance their reading comprehension skills for academic texts.
3. Develop effective note-taking strategies for lectures and presentations.
4. Enhance their academic writing skills, including essay structure and research techniques.
5. Improve their ability to deliver academic presentations and participate in discussions.
6. Gain familiarity with academic conventions and citation styles.

Course Outline:

Week 1: Introduction to Academic English

- Assessing participants' language proficiency and academic goals

- Overview of the course syllabus and expectations

- Introduction to academic vocabulary and common idiomatic expressions

Week 2: Reading Comprehension

- Scanning and skimming techniques for efficient reading

- Strategies for understanding main ideas and supporting details

- Vocabulary building through reading academic texts

Week 3: Note-taking Skills

- Effective note-taking during lectures and presentations

- Organizing and summarising information

- Practice exercises and listening activities

Week 4: Academic Writing: Paragraph Structure

- Understanding the components of a well-structured paragraph

- Developing topic sentences and supporting ideas

- Practice exercises on paragraph development

Week 5: Academic Writing: Essay Structure

- Introduction to essay structure: introduction, body, and conclusion

- Crafting clear and concise thesis statements

- Developing coherent and well-supported arguments

Week 6: Research Skills and Citations

- Introduction to academic research techniques

- Evaluating sources for credibility and relevance

- Understanding and applying citation styles (e.g., APA, MLA)

Week 7: Grammar for Academic Writing

- Review of essential grammar structures for academic writing

- Practice exercises on sentence structure and complex grammar

- Common grammatical errors to avoid in academic writing

Week 8: Academic Writing: Research Papers

- Understanding the research paper format and structure

- Conducting literature reviews and integrating sources

- Drafting and revising research papers

Week 9: Academic Speaking: Presentations

- Preparing and delivering effective academic presentations

- Using visual aids and engaging the audience

- Practicing presentation skills through individual and group activities

Week 10: Academic Speaking: Discussions and Debates

- Participating in academic discussions and debates

- Expressing opinions and supporting arguments effectively

- Listening and responding critically to others' viewpoints

Week 11: Academic Writing: Critical Analysis

- Analyzing and critiquing academic texts

- Developing critical thinking and evaluation skills

- Writing critical analysis essays

Week 12: Review and Final Projects

- Reviewing course content and addressing individual needs

- Finalizing and presenting individual projects

- Course evaluation and feedback session

Note: This syllabus is a guideline and can be customised based on the specific needs and preferences of the participants. You can opt in and out of different modules.