Courses for UCC Students

The Credit Modules are full now; we are closed for applications!

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CURRENTLY STUDYING AT UCC

Courses for UCC students

UCC Language Centre offers a limited number of free-of-charge places on part-time English language courses to international students currently studying at UCC, including Erasmus and other visiting students. Places are limited and are filled on a first-come-first-served basis.

Only one course per semester may be taken and normally only one course (one semester) per academic year is allowed due to the large demand for them.

In-sessional Courses

In-sessional courses focus on developing the necessary academic skills and language required at UCC for both Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes.

The Credit Modules are full now and we are closed for applications!

Credit Modules for Autumn 2023	Credit Module Application Form (Late applications arriving after the deadline may not be allocated a place on the course applied for)
LC1002 English for Academic Study (B2+)	This can be taken, subject to availability, as a 5-credit module by Erasmus/Visiting students in either semester as part of their Learning Agreement, or on a non-credit basis by non-visiting international students at UCC. Spaces are limited and are usually allocated before the start of the semester.
LC1003 Advanced English for Academic Study (C1-)	This can be taken, subject to availability, as a 5-credit module by Erasmus/Visiting students in either semester as part of their Learning Agreement, or on a non-credit basis by non-visiting international students at UCC. Spaces are limited and are usually allocated before the start of the semester.
PG6021 (B2+) Semester 1 PG6022 (C1) Semester 2 PG6023 (C1+) Teaching Period 3	These 5-credit academic English training modules can be taken for credit by international students doing a full PhD programme at UCC or a full Master's course of more than one-year duration at UCC, not as a visiting student. See UCC Book of Modules for more details.

Visiting students

To apply for a place on LC1002 or LC1003, Erasmus and other visiting students must apply before arriving at UCC as all spaces are usually allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, before the start of term. Please email academicenquiries@ucc.ie as soon as possible, putting your name and student number and either Erasmus or Visiting Student in the subject line and you will be contacted before the start of the semester with details. Some places on LC1002 and LC1003 will be reserved for non-visiting international students.

There are a number of non-credit programs that are available for Erasmus and other visiting students. Please see the information here below.

Non-Credit Online Digital Badges 2024

Digital Badge Short Courses are delivered online until further notice. We offer two Digital Badge courses:

1. Academic Language for Reading & Writing

2. Academic Language for Speaking & Listening

These are 5-week courses (1 x 2-hour sessions a week = 10 hours of interactive online workshops + approx. 10 hours of self-directed study and practice).

The Digital Badge courses are free of charge to UCC students when they apply by submitting this Digital Badge Application Form February 2024

Day/Time: Courses will be twice weekly, some will be running Wednesdays and Fridays from 2-4pm, while others will be on Tuesdays from 9-11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-13:30 p.m. (please select your preferred course, day and time on the sign-up link above).

Level: Both courses are aimed at students who are beginning to develop their academic language for either reading and writing or listening and speaking.

Assessment: Assessment is minimal in this course as the main aim of this course is for students to apply what they are learning to their UCC programme studies. However, to receive the digital badge there is a short review assessment at the end of the course. To be issued with the Digital Badge certificate, participants must attend at least 80% of the course (minimum 4 out of 5 sessions). There will be review and reflection tasks each week for your to apply what you have learned during the workshop to your own academic discipline.

Content Course 1. Academic Language for Reading & Writing

This course will allow you to reflect on differences between your previous education, learn about what is expected at UCC and develop the language for academic reading and writing.

These are some of the areas that the course focuses on:

Academic Reading:

Strategies to use include skimming, scanning, identifying macro and microstructure, using synthesizing grids to make notes and questions to help read critically.

Academic Writing:

Developing the basics of academic style, using language to create cohesion and coherence to help your writing read more smoothly, using language to integrate/synthesise reading sources, identifying the differences between descriptive, analytical, evaluative and reflective writing and language techniques to avoid plagiarism specifically regarding paraphrasing

Content Course 2. Academic Language for Speaking & Listening

This course will enable you to build confidence and fluency in your academic speaking skills. You will be able to practice deconstructing lectures and using different strategies to enhance your academic listening skills. You will also have opportunities to practice your speaking in group discussions using suggested useful phrases.

These are some of the areas that the course focuses on:

Academic Listening:

Raising awareness of strategies to deconstruct lectures to aid comprehension such as identifying discourse markers and speakers' stance/attitude, focusing on questions to encourage active listening, and being better able to understand the different opinions of students participating in discussions.

Academic Speaking:

Developing appropriacy and flexibility to communicate in academic discussions, using appropriate language and strategies to contribute meaningfully to discussions such as developing a range of functional language (e.g phrases for negotiating meaning, sharing opinions) and developing pronunciation and articulation concerning the English Lingua Franca core.

Dates 2024

Non-Credit Digital Badges	Course Code:	Dates/times
Academic English for Reading & Writing (Group 1)	ULC22001	Wednesday 28 February – Wednesday 27 March 2024 2-4 p.m.
Academic English for Reading & Writing (Group 2)	ULC22002	Friday 01 March – Friday 29 March 2024 2-4 p.m.
Academic English for Speaking & Listening (Group 1)	ULC22003	Tuesday 27 February – Tuesday 26 March 2024 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Academic English for Speaking & Listening (Group 2)	ULC22004	Tuesday 27 February – Tuesday 26 March 2024 11:30 a.m. – 13:30 p.m.

Part-time Evening Courses

General English non-credit courses at B1, B2, C1 and C2 levels including Irish Culture and preparation for international examinations (e.g. IELTS / Cambridge Advanced). These are usually evening or afternoon courses of up to 4 hours per week. These classes are available to fee-paying external students. A discount will be applied to registered UCC students.

Specialised non-credit courses in Business English, English for University Studies, Focus on Fluency and Effective Writing Skills. These are usually evening or afternoon courses of up to 4 hours per week. These classes are available to fee-paying external students. A discount will be applied to registered UCC students.

If you are interested in the Digital Badge option please go to Canvas Catalog / Open UCC to register.

IT requirements to join our courses:

All students are required to bring to class a fully-charged laptop (with audio and video) and headphones to ensure full participation and access to course materials and a more valuable student experience. A reliable internet connection is required (this is provided by UCC for on-campus students). You should download Microsoft Teams to your laptop before starting your course. UCC recommends the use of Chrome browser for the best interaction with all its applications. Please note that a laptop is a device that is suitable for study purposes and students who use another device such as a tablet will not be able to access some functions. A smartphone is not considered to be a suitable device for study purposes.

Other supports available to UCC Students whose first language is not English

If you're interested in a conversation exchange with Irish UCC students needing to practise their Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Italian and other languages, and willing to speak in English with you, please call to G.29 O'Rahilly Building to register. Alternatively, email Rita Flynn at r.flynn@ucc.ie to enquire.

Drop in English Language workshops for UCC students

Title: Drop in English Language workshops (in collaboration with the Skills Centre).

Each of these weekly workshops addresses common challenges for our international students.

While each workshop has a focus, the tutors are English language teachers so students can feel free to bring their English language queries to these workshops.

Time: Mondays 4-5pm.

Location: Skills Centre, Boole Library basement.

Tutors: English language teacher assigned by the Language Centre UCC

See link for workshop dates and titles: English Language drop in workshops 2023

These sessions can be booked via the Language Centre infolang@ucc.ie or the Skills Centre website (open the “Public Calendar” to book) or students can drop in on the day and will be welcomed if the workshop is not yet full.

Language Centre Lárionad Teanga