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)   - 15%
• Fully researched and referenced writing task (of 2,000 to 2,500 words) in the students' own discipline  - 30%
• Seminar presentation in the students' own discipline,   - 15%
• Final exam  - 25%
• Attendance and class participation – 5%

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 classes enable each student to receive individual attention from the class teacher. Pair work and group work is emphasised throughout.

ESEN6101 is open to students whose native language is not English and whose progress at ANU is hampered by poor academic English

Eligible students include:

• graduate international students recommended by a course advisor, Professor, Head of School,  ASLC advisor, or similar.
• any graduate 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.

ESEN 6101 is not open to exchange students

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.