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English for Academic Purposes

This noncredit graduate course will make you a more effective communicator, both in the classroom as a student and in front of the classroom as a teaching fellow.

To improve your discussion skills, you will work on pronunciation, intonation, and vocabulary, as well as how to join class discussion. Through a discussion of cultural topics (news events, holidays), you will increase your familiarity with American norms and idioms. To improve your teaching, you will practice effective class presentation skills. You will learn how to organize material effectively, how to engage your audience, and how to use body language to convey confidence and authority.

The course will cover reductions to help you understand fast speech and pragmatics such as learning expressions for interruptions, gaining the floor, and making small talk. Much of our work will be generated from questions you have about your reading, classes and informal conversations. Listening comprehension will focus on current events using podcasts and videos.

Additional Details

• All international GSAS students are eligible for the class, and some departments require attendance.
• For all who join the class, regular attendance is mandatory. 
• To join the class, contact Director Nancy Nies.