Delivery mode:

This course is on campus (with possibility of online participation)

Online participation in our Part-Time Courses only applies if joining our on-campus courses from a remote location. If 2+ students apply for online and 2+ students apply for face2face, we would deliver Hybrid teaching.  Students joining the class online must use the Microsoft Teams application and cameras must be on during class time.  A good internet connection and a quiet space where you are free to speak would be essential (headphones/earphones optional)

Access to Academic English for University Studies

Course Name:  Access to Academic English for University Studies

Day(s)/time of class: Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8 pm (Irish time)

Course length: 6 weeks, 24 hours in class + self-study and assignments for teacher feedback

Course dates for 2023-24

Block 1: Tuesday 19 September to Thursday 26 October

Block 2: Tuesday 07 November to Thursday 14 December

Level(s): B1+ / B2

Course cost €300

*Returning students receive a loyalty discount.  Please email infolang@ucc.ie for details. 

⁺UCC staff and students should email infolang@ucc.ie to enquire about special offers. 

Course Overview:

This course is aimed at students who would like an introduction to the type of academic English required for studying or at university. 

The course consists of Academic English for Listening & Speaking (Tuesdays) and  Academic English for Reading and Writing (Thursdays) to:

1. reflect on what is meant by academic reading and writing.
2. adapt and develop your language for academic reading and writing.
3. build confidence and fluency in your academic speaking skills.
4. practice deconstructing lectures and use different strategies to enhance your academic listening skills.
5. practise your speaking in academic contexts such as group discussions using suggested useful phrases.

Learning objectives:

By the end of this course, you will be beginning to:

• deconstruct lectures to aid comprehension such as identifying organisation, discourse markers / cues, and speaker’s stance/attitude.
• ask questions to check understanding and encourage active listening.
• developed appropriacy and flexibility to communicate in academic discussions.
• use a range of appropriate functional language and strategies to contribute meaningfully to seminar discussions (e.g phrases for negotiating meaning, sharing opinions).
• develop pronunciation, awareness of the features of fast speech, and articulation concerning the English Lingua Franca core.
• adopt academic reading strategies including skimming, scanning, identifying macro and microstructure.
• understand the typical structures and organisation of ideas in academic texts.
• develop the basics of a written academic style.
• use language to create cohesion and coherence at a paragraph and overall level.
• have an awareness of the language and structures used in academic essays, reports, case studies, and literature reviews.
• adopt language techniques to avoid plagiarism, specifically summarising and paraphrasing.

Weekly course plan: (may change slightly depending on class needs)

How to Apply

Open for applications.  Part-time application form