The course focuses on two learning objectives:

General academic English in which students not only improve their language skills, but also learn about Australian academic style in terms of critical thinking, referencing, plagiarism; and

English requirements from the students' own study areas, to cope with the language particular to their own disciplines.

The curriculum covers the following topics:

Essay structure

Oral presentation skills

Advanced academic writing

Referencing protocol

Discussion and tutorial skills

Avoiding plagiarism

Critical thinking

Reading and summarizing

Pronunciation

At the conclusion of this course students will have:

• increased report writing, essay writing, oral presentation and tutorial skills;
• gained higher-level academic English language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, both generally and within their own discipline; and
• improved their understanding of Australian academic culture.

Assessment in the course consists of:

• Exercises (in-class, homework, listening)   - 25%
• Fully researched and referenced writing task (1,500 to 2,000 words) in students' own discipline  - 30%
• PowerPoint-supported seminar presentation and group discussion in the students' own discipline,   - 20%
• Final exam  - 15%
• Attendance and class participation – 10%

Each writing assessment is submitted as two drafts:   a first draft, which is then given coded feedback by the teacher, and a second draft, corrected by the student according to the teacher feedback.

The course runs for one semester, with two two-hour classes per week, all in seminar style (not traditional lecture/tutorial mode). Small classes enable each student to receive individual attention from the class teacher. Pair work and group work is emphasised throughout.

ESEN1101 is open to students whose native language is not English and whose progress at ANU is hampered by poor academic English.

Eligible students include:

• undergraduate international and exchange students recommended by a course advisor, Professor, Head of School,  ASLC advisor , or similar.
• any undergraduate student (international or domestic) who falls under linguistically diverse background status.
• International students who feel they would benefit from an academic English course should see a course advisor in their department, or contact ANU College.

A full 100+-page student workbook has been developed for the course, with a mixture of materials both specifically developed for this course, and adapted from other sources.

A comprehensive student workbook has been developed for the course.  Other reading will be assigned at the beginning of the course.