Course information

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

This course is designed to increase your English writing skills from an intermediate to an advanced level. It begins with a review of grammar and sentence structure, then moves on to developing advanced writing skills, focusing on formal English. It builds from grammar and sentence structure to paragraphs and longer pieces of writing that require a higher order of thinking.

Each week you’ll study the structure of a range of texts, from short emails to formal workplace communications, including examples from administration, business reports and case studies. The course also focuses on academic essays, paraphrasing, referencing skills, vocabulary enrichment and advanced punctuation.

You will benefit from writing practice at the end of the course, supported by the facilitator’s feedback. Class discussions are also a key part of the course, helping you engage and develop reflective and critical thinking skills.

Aims

This course aims to help you polish and improve your writing. It will provide you with the skills to take your written English from an intermediate to an advanced level.

Outcomes

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

• write with improved skills across a range of writing, including 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.

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 exercises and the facilitator’s feedback
• A focus on extending skills through reading a variety of texts, and group discussion

Note: the first three weeks include a revision of English grammar and sentence structure, and weeks 4 onwards progress on to developing advanced writing skills.

Intended audience

This course is suitable for people with an upper-standard to intermediate level of English proficiency. It will be particularly rewarding for non-English native speakers in the workforce who want to improve their communication, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate university students.

Prerequisites

Desirable level for non-native English speakers: Cambridge B2 or IELTS (score of 5.5 to 6.5).

We recommend attending the Enhancing Your English Course: Steps Toward Better Writing - Standard before this course, if you have basic competence in English.

Delivery style

Delivered weekly as a combination of instructor-led lectures and interactive discussion and conversation sessions.

Delivery mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught training

Materials

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

Recommended reading

Cutts, M 1995, Guide to Plain English, Oxford.

Murphy, R 2019, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge.