Building on an analysis of participants' own texts submitted prior to commencement, this course gives you a clear idea of your strengths and weaknesses concerning written academic English. It shows you what you can do to improve your confidence in the short term, helps you to eradicate those silly mistakes, and gives you new options for expressing complex ideas in well-structured English sentences, so that you can add some variation to your writing. There is an emphasis on improving the clarity and compactness of your writing. On top of that you will be able to check and revise your own writing in a methodical fashion using a detailed editing checklist.
You will learn how to write in well-structured English sentences on complex academic topics, allowing you to write in a more varied way. A practical checklist will help you.
Content
The course is intensive and lasts two weeks: three meetings in the first week and two in the second week. You will be given tools to improve your writing confidence and avoid unnecessary mistakes in a short space of time. The emphasis is on improving the clarity and conciseness of your writing. You will also learn how to systematically revise your own work using a comprehensive checklist.
Working method
At the start of the course, you submit a text written in English, which you will work on during the course. For feedback, the teacher uses ELS-online, the ALP's feedback system. You will be reviewed using several revised versions of your own work and other editing assignments.
For whom?
Dutch and English speaking PhD students who want to improve or strengthen their academic English. Preferably, you have already written several longer texts that are relevant for your research, and you have been working on your PhD for at least a year.
In order to participate in this course, you must have a connection with the VU and you must have started your PhD trajectory. If you do not meet these requirements, but you still want to participate, please contact us before you register.
This course is taught twice a year. Please don’t register before the new dates have been published on the website, as in that case we cannot process your registration. Please contact us for more information.
Teacher
Dr. Ursula Caci
Dates and time
The course is offered each year in November and May.
Monday, 13 May 2024
Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Friday, 17 May 2024
Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Friday, 24 May 2024
All classes are from 9.30 to 12.15 hrs.
Credits: 3
Price
€ 475
Registration and contact
Click here for registration form.
For information and questions, please send an e-mail to the ALP's course administration: alp.fgw@vu.nl.