Learning objectives include:

• An emphasis on learning to communicate through interaction in English;
• The introduction of authentic texts into the learning situation;
• Teaching practices that help students develop their communication skills through pair work, group work, and fluency-based activities that develop confidence.
• Exercises in which students practice and develop language functions, grammar and pronunciation activities.

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

ESEN110 and ESEN6101 are taught together but the postgraduate students are required to perform in assessment items at a more advanced and rigorous level than the undergraduates.

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 (of 2,000 to 2,500 words) in the 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 task for assessment is submitted in two drafts. The first is given coded feedback by the tutor; students must then submit a second draft with improvements based on the feedback. 

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

Essential University English is intended for students whose native language is not English and whose academic progress is hampered by poor English.

ESEN6101 is open to a) international students enrolled at ANU at postgraduate level, or b) domestic postgraduate students who have been formally granted linguistically diverse background status.

Higher-degree research (domestic and international) students may need to enrol in this course as a non-award student.

Visiting fellows and overseas academics may also take the course (please contact ANU College.)