English language support
Confidence to speak and listen (COSAL) workshops
Our Confidence to Speak and Listen workshop series is a chance to practise communicating with others from different subject disciplines.
We meet over a series of weeks and engage in interactive activities, discussing confidence from perspectives of both speaker and listener.
The workshops are open to all students and are a great way to identify communication strategies to apply in different contexts. They help develop confidence and advance your academic, language and interpersonal abilities.
To get maximum benefit and build your confidence incrementally, we recommend coming to more than one workshop in the series. The sessions are different each time and built by you on the day.
See when the next Confidence to Speak and Listen course is running on our skills workshop schedule.
One-to one appointments
The Writing Centre offers one-to-one academic writing appointments to give personalised guidance on writing-based assignments. This can include talking about the use of appropriate academic language, as well as developing arguments, integrating sources, academic writing style, and how to proofread your own work.
We also offer one-to-one speaking appointments in which you can rehearse an academic speaking event, discuss speaking-related concerns or get voice tips, feedback and advice.
Support from the Writing Centre
Support via your academic department
Your academic department provides opportunities for skills and language development related to your subject area.
As well as focusing on your confidence with spoken and written language, there is also support for subject-specific requirements, such as the use of language or format.
Resources
Our Academic language practical guide, complete with interactive tutorial, delves into the formal, analytical, and objective nature of academic language. Learn about purpose, characteristics, grammar and syntax and complete the academic language checklist to consider the conventions of academic language.
See our definitions for words and language used in the Library.
The University of Manchester Academic Phrasebank provides examples of some of the phraseological ‘nuts and bolts’ of writing organised according to the main sections of a research paper or dissertation.
2. General English language classes
The Department of Language and Linguistic Science runs short courses, including specialist language courses such as their General English Conversation module. It is aimed at students interested in developing their English language skills for the IELTS examination, especially the ‘Academic’ version. The course is available in both Semester 1 and Semester 2.
This is a paid-for course that runs for eight weeks - York students receive a discount.
Course aims:
- To develop techniques to comprehend reading texts and to be exposed to a range of question styles
- To practise writing skills that will produce structured and coherent short essays
- To grow in confidence when speaking in a structured exam interview
- To become familiar with a variety of listening formats and to acquire strategies to process the information heard
- To build vocabulary suitable for academic contexts
3. Developing conversational English
Just want to practise speaking English? Check out college events for opportunities to develop your conversational English. A craft or games night can be the perfect opportunity to practise speaking English with native and non-native speakers alike.
Not feeling confident? York SU host regular Language Cafes - a relaxed and inclusive space for students to practice languages, share cultures, and connect with others from around the world.
You can also contact the International Students Network - the International Students Network Instagram account lists social events where people from all nationalities get together in a spirit of mutual support, friendship and sharing new perspectives.
