Students focus on organization and rhetorical models of academic English. Sentence structure, grammar, and mechanics are reviewed as needed. Writing tasks, which complement the work with rhetorical models, will be contextualized in the student's field of study.

Group and individual instruction on speech and pronunciation will be given for students who have difficulty with the perception and production of the sounds and patterns of American English as well as conversational practice designed to improve the general oral production and aural comprehension skills for navigating the U.S. University.

Students will practice strategies to enhance oral communication within the classroom. They will gain skills in conversing with individuals & groups, in group problem solving, and in giving short presentations. While pronunciation & listening skills are not the main focus of these courses, recommendations for self-study in this area will be given. Structures & vocabulary addressed as needed.

ESL 909 is a course designed for students who need both to practice speaking in academic contexts and to develop their presentation skills. Course activities include discussing academic topics, summarizing texts, paraphrasing, reporting research, and organizing and giving oral presentations, particularly in a poster presentation. Pronunciation is addressed as needed.

This course addresses skills and strategies international graduate students need to carry out teaching responsibilities and provides practice for effective intercultural communication. These skills transfer to other settings. Students successfully complete the course by demonstrating their ability to convey content information from their field to either undergraduate students or to other audiences in a comprehensible and appropriate manner.

International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) receive assistance in improving spoken English proficiency and/or teaching skills, as individual needs require. A noncredit course, does not meet as a regular class; Student Teaching Consultants work individually with the ITAs.

This course is an advanced oral communication course designed for researchers, fellows, and visiting faculty at the University. Participants learn and practice strategies to enhance oral communication with colleagues and professional contacts, gaining skills in conversing with individuals & groups and giving presentations. Available in a one-on-one format, 2 hours/week plus one hour/week of structured practice for 6 weeks. Program fee required.Prerequisite: Instructor Permission

An advanced course for researchers, fellows,and visiting faculty at the University.Participants hone writing skills through analyzing models, writing up research and creating professional correspondence. Topics include effective argumentation, academic style, coherence, conciseness, and clarity,, strategic use of sentence structure, and vocabulary. Students receive feedback on writing assignments. One-on-one format, 2 hrs/wk. Program fee applies.Prerequisite: Instructor Permission

English for Academic Purposes is an intensive language and culture course, designed for nonnative speakers of English who have been admitted to an undergraduate or graduate degree program at the University of Virginia or who are prospective U.Va. research associates or visiting scholars. Participants fine-tune the language skills required for success in US higher education through exercises in academic writing, research and speaking.

Students who have a good command of English syntax and vocabulary, but who are being held back by pronunciation problems will be referred to this course. Enrollment is generally limited to prospective international teaching assistants. Other students may enroll as space allows.