English. Develop your command of the English language with us.

This course is designed to help you increase your writing skills in English at an advanced level. The course begins with revision of English grammar and sentence structure, and progresses to developing advanced writing skills with a range from conversational to formal English. It builds from grammar and sentence structure to paragraphs and longer pieces of writing that involve a higher order of thinking. 

Each week you will study the structure of a range of texts, from short emails to longer formal workplace communication, including examples from administration, business, reports and case studies. There is also a focus on academic essays, paraphrasing and referencing skills. The course explores vocabulary enrichment and advanced punctuation. 

Weekly written exercises relate to a variety of texts as well as your own work and study. You will gain a lot from writing practice and the facilitator’s detailed feedback each week. The course also includes a reading and discussion group to help improve writing through reading. Class discussion is a main feature of the course, providing opportunities for you to engage in class while promoting reflective and critical thinking.

Aims

This course aims to teach you how to polish and improve your current writing for your own purposes. It will equip you with the skills you need to improve your writing skills in English to an advanced level. 

For lower intermediate level we recommend you enrol in our Standard course.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• write with increased skills across a range of writing that include different types of workplace communication and essays 
• communicate in written English at an advanced level with improved skills in grammar, sentence structure, paragraphing and punctuation 
• communicate with a range of appropriate vocabulary and style 
• paraphrase other authors’ ideas and reference sources using the Harvard Referencing style 
• improve communication skills and critical thinking through reading and the discussion of a variety of texts 
• write with an improved command of English prose that includes awareness and practice of current English standards about jargon and plain English.

Content

• Advanced introduction to spoken and written English 
• Revision of practical grammar 
• Advanced sentence structure, punctuation, and spelling 
• Paragraph: structure, unity and coherence 
• Paraphrasing and referencing (Harvard Referencing style) 
• Vocabulary enrichment 
• Different writing styles: from short emails to longer formal workplace communication including examples from administration, business, reports and case studies. Academic essays are also included in the range for university students. 
• Weekly written exercises and facilitator’s feedback 
• A focus on extending skills through reading a variety of texts, and group discussion.

Intended audience

This course is suitable for people who have a standard competence and wish to increase their skills in formal writing to a more advanced level. It is designed for those in the workforce who want to improve their communication skills, and for university students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. It is rewarding for both native speakers and people who come from another language. 

Note: If you have a limited competence in English and grammar, you should begin with our Standard course, then join this Advanced course. Remember that in multicultural Australia, university students, senior administrators and successful business people may need to revise standard English before taking an Advanced course.

Prerequisites

For people who come from another language: this course is suitable for people with an Upper intermediate level or above in English who wish to increase their writing skills at an advanced level. 

Desirable level: Cambridge B2 or IELTS (score of 5.5 to 6.5).

Delivery style

Delivered weekly as a combination of an instructor-led lectures and interactive discussion and conversation sessions, including a course booklet, examples for discussion, regular written work and reading of selected texts.

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught training.

Materials

• Digital course booklet 
• In-class group activities 
• Exercises distributed electronically

Recommended reading

• Cutts, M 1995, Guide to Plain English, Oxford 
• Murphy, R 2019, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge