Coaching for Academic English · Manchester Metropolitan University

Coaching for Academic English
Uniwide Languages
English Coaching for International Staff

What is Coaching for Academic English?

As an international user of English, your language learning never stops, and it’s sometimes difficult to know how to use language appropriately in an academic setting. It can also be difficult to understand what is required of your writing, especially if this is different from the expectations you are familiar with from your own academic culture.

If you are a current Manchester Met student, you can take part in our Coaching for Academic English programme. This is free and includes English for Academic Purposes and Academic Skills classes, 1-2-1 writing consultations and online independent study materials.

Here is an overview of what’s available:

Classes

We offer a range of 5-week courses which run throughout the academic year and will help you to continue developing your academic literacy. There are a range of programmes focusing on using academic vocabulary, developing speaking proficiency in an academic context, assignment writing, advanced grammar and critical thinking.

Current students can find out which courses are available each term on Moodle.

Writing Consultations

Writing consultations are available online.

Self-Study Resources

Study what you want, when you want, wherever you are. There are many more resources on Moodle.

Coaching for Academic English has been designed specifically for students with English as a second or additional language. The programme will enhance your language skills whatever your current strengths and areas of difficulty, and help you to get the most out of their time at Manchester Met. Your academic English skills are central to your enjoyment of your course, as well as success in your assignments and exams, and your future employability.

Read more about Coaching for Academic English:

Classes & Workshops

We run a variety of 5-week courses and one-off workshops during term-time to support your continued English language development for academic purposes.

All of our sessions are free and are timetabled for two hours (1 hour 50 minutes’ teaching) across the All Saints campus.
Our sessions are multi-disciplinary so you can attend sessions in any of the buildings (you are not restricted to sessions in your own Faculty).
You may attend any of the classes or workshops that fit with your timetable.
You will be taught by the Language Centre’s team of highly-qualified tutors, who have many years of experience in teaching English for academic purposes.
The maximum class size is 30 students; the average class size is 15.
View a sample timetable: Sample Coaching for Academic English Timetable

We ask that you sign-up for our 5-week courses on Moodle, but you can just turn up if you don’t have access to the Moodle page.

Each class will have a different focus. Here is a sample of what is available:

Writing: focus on how to structure different types of academic writing assignments and the language which can be used
Being Critical: look at one of the most important skills in academic practice –critical thinking.
Speaking: build your confidence in speaking and listening interactions and giving presentations.
Vocabulary: improve your academic vocabulary in terms of range and accuracy.
Grammar: focus on some of the grammatical features used in academic practice.
Dissertation: give you more confidence in your writing abilities at this important stage in your academic career.

If you are unable to access the Coaching for Academic English area on Moodle and believe you are eligible for this programme, please contact the Language Centre at languagecentre@mmu.ac.uk.

Writing Consultations

We recognise that it is useful for students to get personalised feedback on their writing, especially during the assignment writing and drafting process.

We offer online writing consultations to best fit with your timetable, location, and learning preferences.

You are able to submit up to 1,000 words of your writing, which will be reviewed by one of the Language Centre’s highly-qualified tutors. You can tell us if there is any particular aspect of your writing you would like feedback on, otherwise the tutor will provide advice on how you can develop your academic style, language, structure, organisation, criticality and argumentation (as appropriate). During the 30 minute consultation, the tutor can help you to make improvements to your work and clarify any language areas you are finding difficult. The tutor will also make recommendations for further language self-study (as appropriate).

You can book a Writing Consultation through Moodle. If you are unable to access the Coaching for Academic English area on Moodle and believe you are eligible for this programme, please contact the Language Centre at languagecentre@mmu.ac.uk.