The Language Centre offers support with both Academic Writing and Communication Skills.
Classes are designed for international students who have started their degree studies. We offer general sessions as well as some sessions specifically related to your degree subject.
For more information about the sessions and to book a place, please view the sections below.
Please note that while we're preparing classes and workshops for the next academic year, some links and titles might not be available, but will be updated within the next couple of weeks.
Academic Writing Skills
- Writing classes
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These classes will highlight the common features of academic writing in English. To help with possible differences in writing styles and expectations:
- Each session focuses on one aspect of the writing process
- You will work with examples of academic writing
- You will develop skills to produce effective writing
- An opportunity for you to ask questions about writing
- A relaxed and supporting environment
The courses will be delivered on-campus and online.
Session Date Time On-campus registration Online Registration Session 1: Academic grammar Wednesday 28 January 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 1 on-campus Register for Session 1 online Session 2: Academic Vocabulary Wednesday 4 February 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 2 on-campus Register for Session 2 online Session 3: Focusing on the question Wednesday 11 February 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 3 on-campus Register for Session 3 online Session 4: Integrating sources into your writing (citing and referencing) Wednesday 18 February 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 4 on-campus Register for Session 4 online Session 5: Organising your writing Wednesday 25 February 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 5 on-campus Register for Session 5 online Session 6: Connecting your ideas in your writing Wednesday 4 March 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 6 on-campus Register for Session 6 online Session 7: Critical thinking Wednesday 11 March 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 7 on-campus Register for Session 7 online Session 8: Academic Style Wednesday 18 March 2pm to 3.15pm Register for Session 8 on-campus Register for Session 8 online - Legal academic writing for LLM students
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This in-sessional course has been designed for students doing an LLM in the Law Dept. Each weekly session focuses on writing sub-skills that are transferable to different LLM assessments. The course is especially tailored to meet the writing and language requirements of international law students. The classes are on campus only.
Classes may be available in the following semester.
- 1-2-1 (book an appointment)
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These sessions are helpful if you are experiencing some challenges with your assignment tasks, or if you would like some general advice about your use of language. You will have up to an hour with an experienced tutor to discuss your concerns. This could include:
- Getting started with your writing assessments
- Help with aspects of planning and organising your writing
- Citing skills (showing where you got information from)
- Reviewing or practicing a presentation
- Understanding your grades and feedback
- Or, you may have something else that you would like to discuss regarding your assignments or English language use.
Click here to make an appointment. A tutor will then contact you to arrange a time to meet.
Please note: these sessions are not for proofreading assignments, but could review a paragraph for common errors. The advice we give focuses on supporting you with writing assessments in English. It is advice only which you may choose to accept or not. Tutors are not subject experts and cannot advise specifically about subject content. For that, you should contact your subject tutor.
1-2-1 sessions are limited to 3 per student per semester.
- Drop-in sessions (no appointment required)
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These sessions are helpful if you have a quick question about your writing. For example, you might be working on an assessment and find you are not sure about something such as:
- how to write something clearly
- your paragraph organisation
- academic style, grammar & vocabulary
- how to use citations (referencing)
- …or something else
You can just drop in and ask a tutor.
Please note that the time you have with a tutor may be limited, depending on the numbers of students looking for help.
Date, time & venue:
We are not offering drop in-sessions at the moment.
Academic Communication Skills
- Presentation skills: PPT Presentations
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These sessions are to help you create effective, well-designed, and clear presentations.
If you are currently working on a presentation, or need to prepare one in the future, these sessions can support you with its design & delivery. Bring your laptop.
The courses will be delivered on campus and online. On Wednesdays on the same dates and at the same time.
Session Date Time On-campus registration Online Registration Presentation Skills: Creating an effective presentation Wednesday 18 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Creating an effective presentation on-campus Register for Creating an effective presentation online Presentation Skills: Giving an effective presentation Wednesday 25 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Giving an effective presentation on-campus Register for Giving an effective presentation online - Presentation Skills: Poster Presentations
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These sessions are to help you create effective, well-designed, and clear presentations.
If you are currently working on a presentation, or need to prepare one in the future, these sessions can support you with its design & delivery. Bring your laptop.
The courses will be delivered on campus and online. On Wednesdays on the same dates and at the same time.
Session Date Time On-campus registration Online Registration Poster presentation: Designing an effective poster presentation Wednesday 22 October 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Designing an effective poster presentation on-campus Register for Designing an effective poster presentation online Poster Presentations: Content and presenting Wednesday 29 October 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Content and presenting on-campus Register for Content and presenting online - Seminar skills
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Part of your degree studies may involve participation in seminars and group discussions. Our seminar skills sessions are an opportunity for you to practise these skills in a small and relaxed group environment. The more you can speak & communicate, the more confident you may feel about your studies in general.
The courses will be delivered on campus and online. On Wednesdays on the same dates and at the same time
Session Date Time On-campus registration Online Registration Seminar skills: Engaging in seminars - discussion on academic cultures Wednesday 28 January 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Engaging in seminars - discussion on academic cultures on-campus Register for Engaging in seminars - discussion on academic cultures online Seminar Skills: Problems and solutions – discussion on global issues Wednesday 4 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Problems and solutions – discussion on global issues on-campus Register for Problems and solutions – discussion on global issues online Seminar skills: Supporting and opposing a position – discussion on GenAI Wednesday 11 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Supporting and opposing a position – discussion on GenAI on-campus Register for Supporting and opposing a position – discussion on GenAI online - Fluency and Communication
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These sessions are an opportunity to talk & socialise with other students in a relaxed environment. Topics of discussion are informal and are an opportunity to find out more about living in the UK. They are intended to help build your confidence in your speaking skills.
Classes may be available in the following semester.
Session Date Time Register Session 1: Getting to know Aberdeen Wednesday 28 January 12.30pm to 1.30pm Register for Session 1 Session 2: Scottish traditions and festivals Wednesday 4 February 12.30pm to 1.30pm Register for Session 2 Session 3: Speaking with Scots Wednesday 11 February 12.30pm to 1.30pm Register for Session 3 Session 4: UK food cultures Wednesday 18 February 12.30pm to 1.30pm Register for Session 4 Session 5: Cultural differences Wednesday 25 February 12.30pm to 1.30pm Register for Session 5 - Listening Skills
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Session Date Time Register Listening Skills: Selecting strategies Wednesday 11 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Listening Skills: Selecting strategies Listening Skills: Predicting content Wednesday 18 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Listening Skills: Predicting content Listening Skills: Following signposting language Wednesday 25 February 3.30pm to 4.45pm Register for Listening Skills: Following signposting language
What our students say
I wouldn't have written anything without these courses, because I was at a loss at first as it was my first to write academic English.
It helps me to have a basic structure about essay writing in my mind, this class is helpful, and I think I have learned some writing skills which are contributed to my essay.
Gives me a better idea of expectations from the professors, the structure of the assignment, etc. And as someone who has not been in academia in a few years, I appreciate that.
It serves as a reminder of the need for developing critical thinking skills, approaching academic writing, and provides a guide to follow.
What our students say
Academic Communication sessions helped me overcome some difficulties in communicating in English to a certain extent, such as lack of self-confidence, nervousness, etc.
I learned to make my expression more natural in different contexts, and also more confident.