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International students

In-sessional English

Insessional English

Unlock your potential: Learn, achieve, succeed

Are you an international student looking for support with academic writing, research, language, or study skills?

The English Language Centre (ELC) offers a range of free in-sessional services that are tailored to your needs, designed to fit your schedule, with a focus on your academic success. Our team of experienced tutors and language experts will work closely with you to help you excel in your studies.

Don't let any academic challenges hold you back - unlock your full academic potential with our in-sessional services. Success is just a session away.

Student English Language Support (SELS)

Your Learning, Your way

Individual 30-minute tutorials by appointment currently running twice a week (Tuesdays & Thursdays) either on campus, in CL2.67 (Themis West Building), or online (via MS Teams). Get personalised attention, guidance and support that will maximise your understanding and your performance on any language and study skills issues you may have.
Book a tutorial appointment

NOTE: For face-to-face appointments, you need to bring your work on a laptop or USB to room CL2.67. For online appointments, you need to share your screen in the meeting so the tutor can look at your work. The tutor will send you the link to join.

Academic Skills Workshops

Empowering success, one skill at a time

A series of 10, 90-minute workshops on a range of academic skills, running once a week (Wednesdays at 2.00pm) throughout the year. No need to book a place in advance - just drop in to CL2.05 Themis West Building.

In Semester 1, the following workshops will be offered:

  • 9 October: Listening and note-taking
  • 16 October: -Developing academic reading skills
  • 23 October: Critical reading & Critical thinking skills
  • 30 October: Structuring written work
  • 6 November: Academic Integrity: Quoting, Paraphrasing & Summarising
  • 13 November: Documenting sources: Citing & referencing
  • 20 November: Using appropriate academic style
  • 27 November: Proofreading & editing skills
  • 4 December: Delivering effective presentations
  • 11 December: Reflective practice

Attend all workshops to gain a Certificate of Attendance.

Listening & note-taking skills

This workshop will help you develop the skills and strategies you need to actively listen, extract essential information, and create organized and effective notes, which are invaluable tools for academic success and lifelong learning.

Developing academic reading skills

This workshop will help you develop the skills and strategies you need to read, understand, and engage with academic texts effectively, ultimately enhancing your academic success and your ability to engage in scholarly discourse.

Critical reading & critical thinking

This workshop will help you develop the skills and mindset you need to read, analyse, evaluate, and engage with written materials critically in a thoughtful and discerning manner.

Structuring written work

This workshop will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to create well-structured, organized, coherent, and persuasive written documents that effectively convey your ideas to your intended audience.

Academic Integrity: Quoting, Paraphrasing & Summarising

This workshop will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to maintain academic honesty, accurately incorporate external sources into their work, and avoid plagiarism while citing sources appropriately.

Documenting sources: Citing & referencing

This workshop will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to accurately and ethically acknowledge the sources of information and ideas used in their academic writing.

Using appropriate academic style

This workshop will help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to understand and apply the conventions of academic writing and produce writing that meets the standards and expectations of the academic community.

Delivering effective presentations

This workshop will help you develop the skills and strategies you need to deliver confident and effective presentations.

Proof-reading & editing skills

This workshop will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to review, refine, and enhance any written content you produce with a keen eye for accuracy, clarity, and coherence to meet high-quality standards.

Reflective practice

This workshop will help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to become more self-aware and engage in a structured process of self-assessment, introspection, and critical thinking.

Research & Study Skills

Navigate knowledge with confidence: Skills for Success

A series of 10, 90-minute tutor-led sessions on various topics relating to research and/or study skills, running once a week (Wednesdays at 9.30am) in T2.12 (The Curve). If you wish to discuss your research and receive personalised attention, feedback, support and advice, you can book a tutorial appointment using the link you will find under Student English Language Support (SELS).

The topic(s) to be covered each week will be mutually decided in the first session by you and other students attending through negotiation, discussion, and consensus.

NOTE: The sessions are open to all international postgraduate students (MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil, PhD, and Professional Doctorates) who wish to attend. No need to book a place in advance - just drop in.

To find out more, contact Jennifer Burnett at j.burnett@tees.ac.uk.

Attend all sessions to gain a Certificate of Attendance.

Language Café

Where words connect worlds

A social event, organised by the English Language Centre Support Team, currently running twice a week (Wednesdays and Fridays at 3:30pm) in the Student Union (Love lt Lounge, 1st Floor).

The Café offers a fun and interactive way for you to practise, improve, and expand your language skills, gain cultural insights, and connect with students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, who share an interest in language learning. It is a great opportunity for you to meet home and other international students, take part in social activities and events, make new friends, and engage in real-life conversations in a casual, relaxed, and enjoyable manner, outside of formal classroom settings.

To find out more, contact the English Language Café Co-ordinator, Irfan Sadiq at i.sadiq@tees.ac.uk

Self-study materials

The English Language Centre have developed a range of educational resources designed to facilitate independent learning and skills development outside of formal classroom settings. These resources, including video tutorials, handouts, and practice exercises, are tailored to allow you to learn at your own pace and in your own time, making them highly flexible and accessible. They supplement the support offered through our in-sessional services. To access the self-study materials, click on the link below and select any of the options in green from the menu on the left of the page.
Access self-study materials

Get in touch

For queries on in-sessional services, email us at insessional@tees.ac.uk

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