Academic Language Programme

How can we help you?   

• I want to look up information about academic writing in Dutch or English 

  Writing an academic text can be quite a challenge. It involves many different skills, ranging from things like reading the literature to coming up with a text structure and knowing the rules about punctuation. Over the years, the ALP has developed several tools as reference works for academic writers. 

  • English Language Support Online provides an overview of the most important issues related to style, structure and grammar. The website is open to all VU students and staff. 
  • NLS Online is the Dutch equivalent of ELS-Online. The website is open to everyone.  
  • The page Academische uitdrukkingen provides a collection of standard phrases often used in Dutch academic writing. It was inspired by the English Manchester Academic Phrasebank.   
  • The page Writing and AI provides tips by ALP staff about using generative AI in academic writing.   
  • The Toolkit Academic Skills (in Dutch): information about the skills you need for preparing and giving a presentation, as well as those you need for writing an academic text, such as gathering information, using sources, argumentation, and structuring an academic text.   

• I want to take a course in Academic English or Dutch 

  The ALP offers different options per target group.

  For students
  The Academic Language Programme (ALP) offers courses, workshops and coaching in academic English or Dutch. Students looking to improve their grammar, writing, pronunciation or presentation skills can choose between group sessions or individual coaching. ALP for students

  For PhD researchers
  The ALP offers courses and individual tutorials in academic English and Dutch for PhD researchers. Focus areas include writing, grammar, pronunciation, or presentation skills. All courses include a lot of individual feedback. ALP for PhD researchers

  For teachers
  The ALP offers workshops and tutorials in English for teachers who use English in their teaching, as well as courses in (academic) Dutch and English. Participants are given tools that help them to work on their own English (oral and written skills) and to provide support for students in English-taught degree programmes. ALP for teachers

• I want to practise my Academic English or Dutch skills online 

  The ALP offers several resources that allow you to practise your Academic Dutch or English skills online. This way, you can work on some aspect of academic writing at a time that you choose yourself. This will be helpful if, for instance, you get feedback from your teacher about the structure of your text. Or you may know that you often make mistakes with verb tenses. You can choose between self-study modules, automatic feedback, and diagnostic tests. Read more

• I want individual support with my Academic English or Dutch 

  The ALP Writing Centre offers extra support for students who are working on their bachelor or master thesis. We also support PhD candidates who are working on their PhD thesis.  

  You can choose between individual sessions or workshops. More information on the Writing Centre.

• I’m a teacher and want to support my students in developing their communication and language skills  

  As a teacher you may come across student texts that have all sorts of problems related to language and/or writing skills. But you may not always have the time or means to give extensive feedback on these aspects of student’s assignments. There are several ways in which the ALP supports teachers to help their students in developing their language skills. Read more