Winter Intensive ESL Program

for international graduate students and postdocs at UNC

Session 1: December 14-18, 2009
Session 2: January 4-8, 2010 [repeated]

ELAC is running two sessions of an intensive English as a Second Language program this winter focusing on academic writing and speaking skills.

Classes meet every day for one week (Monday-Friday). Participants are expected to attend every class.
The program is for UNC graduate students and postdocs who speak English as a second language.
Undergraduates and exchange students: contact us to discuss if this is a suitable course for you.
This program is not open to visiting scholars, spouses of UNC students/scholars, students/scholars at other universities, or members of the Chapel Hill community. Sorry.
There is no fee for this program. However, a textbook is required for the writing course.
There are no grades, and you will not receive credit for these courses.
The instructors are Nigel Caplan and Gigi Taylor, ESL Specialists at the Writing Center.
Classes take place in the Writing Center, SASB-North Lower-Level.
You can choose to attend one or both courses. The courses in each session are exactly the same. You can take one course in session 1 and the other course in session 2, or both courses together.
Space is limited in each class!

You will work on one piece of writing in your discipline/major, plus exercises and activities on organization, academic style, vocabulary, and grammar. You should work on a current writing assignment (paper, dissertation chapter, article, etc.), or start a piece of writing that will be useful for you.
A textbook is required (available NOW from the Student Stores -- ask for the books for "SPECIAL 101"): Swales and Feak, Academic Writing for Graduate Students, 2nd edition. University of Michigan Press. The Commentary (answer key) is available, but not required.
There will be some out-of-class (homework) reading and writing.
You will receive feedback on your writing from the instructor and classmates.

You will study and practice public speaking techniques for giving academic presentations, including understanding audience, structure, delivery, use of notes, visual aids, and PowerPoint. You should work on a current or future presentation (class, seminar, or conference session, for example) during the course. There will be lots of opportunity to practice!
The instructor will help you with pronunciation and language skills as needed.
There is no required textbook for this course. However, an optional book is available now from the Student Stores with additional strategies and practice (ask for the books for "SPECIAL 101"): Susan Reinhard, Giving Academic Presentations (University of Michigan Press).
At the end of the course, you will give a 10-15 minute practice presentation, which will be videotaped. You will receive a copy of the video.

To enroll in the Winter IP, please complete the form below.
Walk-ins are not permitted!
Seats are limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
You will receive an email confirming your enrollment or your space on the waiting list.
If you cannot attend the course, please cancel your registration by email as soon as possible and at least one week in advance so that someone else can take your place.

Please contact Nigel Caplan (nacaplan@unc.edu or call 843-9604) if you or your supervisor/advisor have any questions about this program.

If you have any difficulty submitting the form, please email your information to Nigel Caplan (nacaplan@unc.edu).