Training courses 23/24

For the academic year 2023/24, the TEA Project is offering a variety of language courses. Priority is given to people who are teaching in English but if we still have space, other members of the university are more than welcome to join.

One-off language and methodology seminars 2023/24

Writing to the reviewers of your publications in English

16th October 2023, 12pm – 2pm, Solbosch campus

This workshop looks at the language and skills you need in order to effectively interact in English with the reviewers of your scientific articles. We will look at examples of different kinds of responses and will cover the vocabulary and phrases you need to agree and disagree, but in particular, how you can question or challenge a suggestion made by a reviewer. You will get feedback and correction on your own writing.

Max: 10 participants

Sign up here.

Teaching in English: adaptations to enhance student learning

11th December 2023, 12pm – 2pm, Solbosch campus

This workshop looks at strategies you can use in your courses taught in English in order to help your students to learn the terminology and language needed to participate and pass the course. We will explore the relationship between language and content in your specific courses and examine a variety of strategies you can use to support them, thus ensuring greater success rates in your course.

Max: 10 participants

Sign up here.

The language of graphs, diagrams and figures

30th November 2023, 12pm – 2pm, Solbosch campus

This language skills workshop focuses on the kind of language needed for describing graphs, diagrams and figures, both in the classroom and in written papers. We will look into the nuances of different terms and aim to upgrade the phrases that you already use. The workshop will involve some tasks and exercises, with individual feedback from the teacher.

Max: 10 participants

Sign up here.

Cambridge Advanced Exam preparation course

A few places are available to join the class starting September 2023. Lessons take place on the Solbosch campus from 12pm to 1pm on Tuesdays.

This exam is an officially recognized C1 English language qualification for individuals who use English to work at university, communicate professionally, participate in workplace meetings and academic tutorials/seminars, and carry out complex and challenging research.

The course will offer structured, language-focused lessons with special attention to the four skills (reading and use of English, writing, listening, and speaking) and the modalities of the exam. With consistent, weekly participation throughout the academic year, you should be prepared to take the exam during 2024.

Course book: Objective Advanced 4th edition Student Book. (ISBN: 9781107691889)

The course is open to professors and PhD assistants. Space is limited, and priority will first be given to those who teach in English. We will also evaluate your English level before confirming your place to ensure that the course is appropriate for your level. More information about the exam is available here:

Click here to register your interest

English for Academics: Practical writing for the university context

This online course is focused on the practical needs of teachers, researchers and staff at university level and is an opportunity to get regular speaking practice of speaking in English and to get feedback on your writing. You will explore a variety of different email types (e.g. invitations, requests, refusals), also looking at the differences between formal and informal language. You will get practice in writing emails for more delicate situations, for example chasing someone to meet their deadlines or politely declining a request for collaboration. You will then move on to other forms of written communication common in university settings (e.g. feedback to students, replying to reviewers). The overall goal of each unit is to enable you to understand the language conventions used in English and to develop your vocabulary, thereby improving your general writing skills. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to request specific content, either a certain kind of communication or on a specific grammar or vocabulary area.

The course is online with some exercises to completed at your own pace, accompanied by regular meet ups with the teacher and feedback on your written work.

Please note that this is not an academic writing course.

The course is aimed at those with a B2/C1 level of English. Space is limited, and priority will first be given to those who teach in English.

Timing: You can begin the course whenever you wish.

Click here to register for the course.

Collaborative correction of scientific articles in English

The availability of this service depends on take up of other lessons and courses that we provide. Priority is given to those teaching in English or their PhD students.

Perhaps you use a proofreading service to prepare your articles for publication? The TEA Project can to improve your academic English by working with you to correct some or all of an academic article. We are offering a limited number of ‘collaborative correction’ sessions, to a total of around 5 hours. We will work in tandem with you to proofread your article.

During these sessions, we will identify your strengths and weaknesses in your writing, and can provide additional grammar or vocabulary instruction to help to address tricky areas. The overall goals is to ensure that you develop a deeper understanding of your own ‘writing profile’ as well as strategies and knowledge for clearer and more accurate writing. Please note that this is not a proof reading service and we are not able to take on last-minute requests in order to meet publication deadlines.

Click here to register your interest.

Writing workshops

The TEA Project can deliver individual writing workshops for groups of teachers, researchers, post-docs and/or PhD students. We will work in collaboration with your team to define the objectives of the session (e.g. writing abstracts, writing cover letters to accompany research proposals) and to draw up activities that are specific to your field. Participants will complete some preparatory exercises to allow us to understand the language profile of the group and to tailor our grammar and vocabulary exercises to your needs. We will give feedback on the written work, as well as any tasks completed during the session. The workshops generally last around 3 hours.

Click here to request an appointment to set up a writing workshop.