English language support
English Language Program (ELP)
The English Language Program (ELP) assists students improve their English within an academic context in a supportive and engaging learning environment. Modules are free, consisting of a series of 7 weekly workshops and will run in 2 phases:
| Phase 1: | Weeks 3 - 5 (15 March - 2 April) |
| Phase 2: | Weeks 8 - 11 (3 - 28 May) |
The SLSS will also be providing assignment support in The Commons during:
- Week 6 (5-9 April) and;
- Week 7 (26 - 30 April)
Enrolments for the full ELP in Semester 1 have now closed, however you can attend some of our additional classes in week 9 - 11.
For student inquiries, please contact the Student Learning Support Service at slss@flinders.edu.au.
Current modules provided:
This module focuses on key concepts for effective academic writing. In this module you will:
- Analyse your task and prepare an outline
- Improve your ability to develop arguments and justify your claims
- Develop skills in paraphrasing, summarising, quoting and using citations to support your position
- Identify and write effective introductory, concluding and summary paragraphs
- Improve your editing and proofreading skills to review your own work
Registration has closed
This module focuses on grammar challenges for ESL students. In this module you will:
- Build up your grammatical competence and confidence
- Learn/reinforce grammatical concepts and structures used in academic writing
- Learn how to use a variety of sentences to improve the clarity and rhythm of your writing
- Identify and address common grammatical mistakes ESL students make in academic writing
- Develop strategic editing and proofreading skills
Registration has closed
This module focuses on oral communication skills. In this module you will:
- Improve your ability to participate effectively in tutorials
- Engage in active listening and effective note-taking in lectures
- Practise and develop your oral presentation skills
- Apply a range of strategies to engage meaningfully with multiple communicators
- Develop your confidence in responding to multiple texts and speakers
Registration has closed
This module focuses on oral communication skills. In this module you will:
- Identify, practise and receive feedback on your individual pronunciation areas to develop
- Practise vowel and consonant sounds
- Look at how correct stress, rhythm and intonation can improve the clarity of your speech
- Practise delivering a short prepared talk.
Registration has closed
This module focuses on strategies to read academic work more efficiently. In this module you will:
- Learn a range of reading strategies used for different purposes
- Identify important information in academic sources more quickly
- Take effective notes from your readings
- Improve your ability to express information in your own words
Registration has closed
Additional classes in weeks 9 - 11
The Student Learning Support Service is running a number of sessions in weeks 9 to 11 at Bedford Park campus to help you study more effectively.
If you're looking to improve your assessments or further develop your academic skills prior to the exam period, attending one (or more) of the sessions below can be a good way to do so.
Sessions are open to all students. Just drop in - no need to register.
Reading Academic Texts
One of the many issues students struggle with is writing critically. Did you know that writing critically begins with critical reading? In other words, when reading academic texts, you want to analyse what you read carefully and come to your own conclusion. How can you do so and what should you look for? What are the steps and processes for critical reading? This session will provide the clues and tips for critical reading. It will help you improve your arguments in your assignments.
Date: Thursday 13 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
You may have been asked to write a reflective essay in your studies. A reflective essay will require you to associate what you have read with what you have experienced or felt. This means that when you read the literature for your essay, you will need to put on your thinking cap and associate what you read with your own experiences and previous knowledge. How do you do so? What exactly should you focus on when you read and how do you use the notes you have written for your essay. This session will answer those questions and clear any doubts you have on reflective reading.
Date: Thursday 20 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
This session will highlight the basic skills for reading academic texts. We will go through all the steps in the 5-point plan for reading: predict, skim, scan, analyse, and note. It will help you see how the skills come together seamlessly when reading for academic purposes. You will then be able to apply those skills throughout your university life and career, resulting in improved outcomes whenever you read.
Date: Thursday 27 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Pronunciation
Have you ever been listening to someone talk and been totally captivated by what they’re saying? Or perhaps your mind wanders, and you stop listening entirely? Engaging speakers communicate in an engaging way. This means they are not only talking about something interesting, but the way they talk makes it easy for listeners to pay attention. This can be a difficult skill if English is not your first language, but the good news is that there are techniques that will help you improve your communication skills! In this session, we will look at the ways English speakers talk, and how they connect their speech to make their ideas flow. You will also have the opportunity to deliver a short talk in English and receive informal feedback from your peers. To get the most out of this workshop, watch the SLSS video on connected speech before class.
Please note: in this class we will be starting with short, informal oral presentations (2-3 minutes in length) on a topic of your choosing.
Date: Tuesday 11 May 2021
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Are you interested in improving your skills in spoken English? In this session we continue on from last week, talking about what makes for engaging and effective communication, and learning about the techniques used by native English speakers to connect their speech. We will also take another look at the building blocks of pronunciation, focussing on the sounds we make in English (e.g. vowel and consonant sounds, consonant clusters). This session will give you some tips for speaking and listening to others speak in English. To get the most out of this workshop, watch the SLSS video on connected speech (part 2) before class.
Date: Tuesday 18 May 2021
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Effective communication relies on good pronunciation. During your studies you will be required to communicate effectively in different forms, and one of these forms is likely to be an oral or seminar presentation. It’s not only about what you say, but how you say it (and, importantly, how easy it is for your listener to understand what you’re saying). In this session we will review the various features that make up the bigger picture of pronunciation, giving you an introduction to the elements of speech that make for effective communication. You will also have the opportunity to practice giving a short oral presentation.
Please note: in this class we will be starting with short, informal oral presentations (2-3 minutes in length) on a topic of your choosing.
Date: Tuesday 25 May 2021
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Grammar
While you might know how to conjugate different tenses, knowing when to apply them can be a bit more difficult. In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to understand when to use each tense in relation to its aspect and test out your ability to put them into practice. To get the most out of this workshop, watch the SLSS video on Tenses and Aspects before class.
Day: Friday 14 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: HUMN121 Bedford Park campus (map ref H8)
It’s all very well and good to learn different grammatical structures but editing and proofreading is where you will really put them to the test! In this workshop, we’ll discuss the differences between editing and proofreading and go through some techniques to make sure you do it as well as you can.
Day: Friday 21 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: HUMN121 Bedford Park campus (map ref H8)
Listening and Discussion
In order to share our knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of theory, we need to be able to speak about this with others. At university this is done in a variety of ways, including discussion and debate. In this session, we’ll explore the difference between discussions and debates and well as some useful tactics to help you make your point heard. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice these skills and debate with your peers.
Date: Tuesday 11 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Presenting in front of your peers can be daunting, but being prepared and understanding what makes a successful oral presentation can help to calm your nerves. In this workshop, we’ll discuss the common barriers to producing successful oral presentations, some tips to overcome these as well as additional considerations you can make to create informative, entertaining oral presentations. You’ll have the chance to practice some of these skills and receive feedback from your peers.
Date: Tuesday 18 May 2021
Time: 12pm - 2pm
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Academic Writing
Reflection, this is something we have all done throughout out our lives when we look back at an experience to try and make sense of what has happened. When we reflect, we develop and expand our knowledge to improve our practice. Writing reflectively at university is just a formalised version of this process. In this session, we will explore the different components of reflective writing, how to reflect on a learning experience and how to transform your writing from descriptive to reflective. You’ll have the chance to practice these skills and receive feedback from your peers.
Day: Wednesday 12 May 2021
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Editing and proofreading is the last stage of the academic writing process. This is where you ensure that your writing follows the required structure, is clear, concise and free of grammatical errors. In this workshop we’ll cover how to edit and proofread, the difference between these processes and how to evaluate your work against a rubric before you submit your assignment.
Day: Wednesday 19 May 2021
Time: 9am - 11am
Location: U_HLTH 1.21 Bedford Park campus (map ref L11)
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
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