A Beginner's Guide to Writing in English for University Study Course - Reading University
FutureLearn
Key Information
Campus location
Online United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
Distance Learning
Duration
5 weeks
Pace
Part time
Tuition fees
USD 59 / per course *
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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* you can learn it for free or upgrade the course and have extra benefits for $59
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Introduction
Learn how to use English for study at university or college and develop your writing skills, vocabulary and grammar.
Learn how to write using academic English in preparation for university study.
Academic writing can be very different from other types of written English. This course has been developed to help you learn the basics of academic writing and develop your English language skills.
You’ll develop some proficiency in key areas of ‘academic’ grammar, learn about the stages in essay writing, and produce an essay of your own. You’ll also explore how to organise an essay, write in an academic style, and use tools to evaluate your own writing and other learners’ writing so that by the end of the course you’re able to write a good, basic academic essay.
What topics will you cover?
Week 1
- Key features of academic writing
- Developing essay ideas
- Organising your ideas effectively
Week 2
- Essay structure and organisation
- Choosing a title
- Writing in an impersonal style
Week 3
- Using academic language
- Writing about facts and activities
- Writing about groups of people
- Writing longer sentences: linking words and subordinators
Week 4
- The stages of writing an essay
- Analysing an essay title
- Deciding what evidence to use
- Writing the first draft of an essay
Week 5
- Evaluating the first draft of an essay
- Reflecting on feedback on your first draft of the essay
- Responding to feedback on your first draft of the essay
When would you like to start?
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts.
- Available now
- 6 September 2021
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to:
- Compare one aspect of life now with life in the past in one well-constructed paragraph.
- Explore the organisational structure of essays: identify and name the different sections of an essay.
- Explain one aspect of your home town in one well-constructed paragraph, focussing on language accuracy.
- Develop and write the first draft of your essay.
- Contribute and receive feedback on first essay drafts.
- Reflect on feedback received and improve your draft to create and submit a second draft of your essay.
Who is the course for?
This course is aimed at non-English speakers who have studied some English. You should have a minimum level of IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.
Who will you learn with?
| Brian Turner I’m an English for Academic Purposes teacher & materials developer at the University of Reading. My research interest is different modes of thought & reasoning across different language & cultures. | Steve Thomas I am the Director of the Academic English Programme at the University of Reading, helping international students to achieve their full academic potential. | Jonathan Smith I’m an Associate Professor in Technology-enhanced Learning at the University of Reading. I also teach pre-sessional courses in the English language and study skills. |
| Anne Vicary (educator) Hi there! I’m Anne and I teach English for Academic Purposes at the University of Reading. I’m particularly interested in the teaching of grammar and writing. Looking forward to the course! | Sebastian Watkins (Educator) I work at the University of Reading, as a tutor in English for Academic Purposes. I’ve taught academic writing for many years now and always enjoy seeing my students make progress. |
Who developed the course?
University of Reading
The University of Reading has a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and enterprise.
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