In-sessional Academic English Support 2012-13
Description
To help non-native English-speaking students achieve their full academic potential we provide in-sessional academic English and study skills courses and one-to-one tutorials throughout the academic year.
If you have been given an in-sessional requirement and would like to find out more about how these assessment are made, further details regarding assessments can be found here.
If you already know which in-sessional course or one-to-one tutorial you are required or wish to apply for, and you have received your academic timetable, please follow this link to our online application form.
In-sessional Academic English Courses
The in-sessional courses consist of one 2-hour lesson a week during term time. They take the form of short 4 or 5-week courses either side of Reading Week, or longer 8 or 9-week courses running for the whole term.
They usually have a skills focus which allows students to concentrate on the areas of English that are most in need of improvement. The courses are also designed around academic contexts to add relevance to the skills practice, e.g. lecture skills, seminar skills, essay writing skills, reading and note-taking skills.
Courses vary during the year to follow the changing requirements of students and include:
- Academic Essay Writing Skills
- Dissertation Research and Writing
- Seminar Discussion and Presentation Skills
- Listening and Note-taking in Lectures
- Grammar Improvement
- Reading and Note-taking Skills
In-sessional academic English courses are free of charge and are open to all non-native English -speaking students registered at SOAS.
Block 5 Insessional courses start the week of April 15th 2013. Application form can be found here.
These take the form of one-to-one tutorials.
In-sessional One-to-One Tutorials
The one-to-one tutorials usually take the form of focused 30-minute sessions which students prepare for in advance. Students can then book follow-up sessions with the tutor to check the progress of the student. The sessions can focus either on academic study problems or grammar and general language support.
General information regarding In-sessional Academic English support is available on the In-sessional Courses noticeboard in the foyer of the Faber Building, 23-24 Russell Square.
Registering for In-sessional Academic English Support
In-sessional academic English support can be registered for online. However, it is always possible to discuss any issues regarding in-sessional support with the In-sessional Programme Tutor (Acting), Mr Neil Robbie (nr2@soas.ac.uk) - Room F206 in the Faber Building (23-24 Russell Square).
Students with an In-sessional Requirement
If you have an in-sessional requirement (this is stated on your offer letter) you will receive an e-mail after you have registered for your academic programme stating which in-sessional course is suitable for you, based on the evidence that you provided regarding your English language proficiency, e.g. an IELTS or TOEFL test score. You can then register for this in-sessional course online. If you feel that the in-sessional support that you have been allocated is not appropriate for you, please feel free to discuss this with the In-sessional Programme Tutor (Acting), Mr Neil Robbie (nr2@soas.ac.uk).
Students without an In-sessional Requirement
If you do not have an in-sessional requirement it is still possible to attend in-sessional classes voluntarily. However, you must register for the course that you want to follow and receive notification that you have a place.
It is essential that you have your academic timetable before you register for in-sessional academic English support, as you need to know when you are available.
You can register online for the in-sessional courses and one-to-one tutorials.
Before you register online it is important to ensure that you have your academic timetable so that you know when you are available and make sure to factor in any walks to or from Vernon Square.
Block 5 courses start in the week of April 15th 2013.
Registration deadline for block 5 courses is April 8th 2013.
Office Hours
If you would like to see Neil Robbie in F206 to talk about your Insessional requirements, he is not available at the following times: 10-11 am on Monday, 11am-1pm on Tuesday, 11am-1pm on Wednesday, 12-2pm on Thursday and 1-3pm on Friday. Otherwise he will be around on a 9am-5pm basis in room F206. You can best contact by e-mail: nr2@soas.ac.uk
Feedback form
If you have taken an Insessional course in Block 1 or Block 2 2012 please take a few minutes to fill in this feedback form which will be very helpful in letting us know what we are doing well and what can be improved.
