In-Sessional English (ISE): Academic language and communication
Are you looking for help to improve your English language skills for writing assignments and taking part in seminars and lectures?
If the answer is 'Yes', this page explains what In-Sessional English (ISE) is and how it can help you.
To find out more about ISE, read the full article or watch this video.
To quickly review the modules on offer with ISE, scroll down to Table 1 and Table 2, below.
To book your place on an ISE module, click here.
To ask a question, email ise@port.ac.uk
What is "ISE"?
In Teaching Block 1 and again in Teaching Block 2 (or ‘in session’), the university offers a range of short, modules which show you how to develop your use of English for academic language and communication.
ISE Modules are aimed at students who have English as an additional, second, or foreign language.
Students who have English as their first language are welcome to join, but you may be advised to seek a course through academic skills (ASK) or a learning development tutor in their school or department (if you unsure which is best for you, please contact ise@port.ac.uk).
ISE modules:
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focus on a particular form of academic language and communication (e.g. report-writing, reading critically, giving a presentation)
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offer 10 (or 20) hours of instruction over 5 (or 10) weeks
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can be taken by students from any faculty, school, or department on undergraduate, postgraduate, or exchange programs
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are free of charge to University of Portsmouth students
When you join an ISE module, you commit to one 2-hour seminar per week. (You may also be asked or advised to complete some additional tasks outside of the seminar as part of the module).
Students may only sign up for one ISE module at a time. However, there are up to four opportunities to take an ISE module each academic year (one or two in each Teaching Block).
For the academic year 2021-2022, some ISE modules will be offered online only, but others will take place on campus.
ISE modules are optional - therefore, they do not carry any credits. However, any module that you complete will be added to your student record.
To book your place on an ISE module, click here.
What are the registration and teaching dates for ISE?
Teaching Block 1 |
Teaching Block 2 |
|||
TB1A |
TB1B |
TB2A |
TB2B |
|
Registration Period (when you can book a place) |
12 Sep 2021 - 8 Oct 2021 |
24 Oct 2021 - 15 Nov 2021 |
4 Jan 2022 - 31 Jan 2022 |
20 Feb 2022 - 14 Mar 2022 |
Teaching Period for 5-WEEK MODULES* |
18 Oct 2021 - 26 Nov 2021 |
29 Nov 2021 - 21 Jan 2022 |
14 Feb 2022 - 25 Mar 2022 |
28 Mar 2022 - 13 May 2022 |
Teaching Period for 10-WEEK MODULES* (Postgraduate students only) |
18 Oct 2022 - 21 Jan 2022 |
14 Feb 2022 - 13 May 2022 |
*There are no classes during consolidation weeks or vacation weeks.
What ISE modules are on offer and which ISE module can I take?
There are 13 ISE modules to choose from.
Seven modules mostly focus on aspects of written language and communication (i.e. reading and/or writing for academic assignments) - see Table 1, below.
Another six modules mostly focus on aspects of spoken language and communication (i.e. speaking and listening) or a mix of both spoken and written language and communication - see Table 2, below.
The ISE Modules are described in the tables below.
If you have any questions about the modules, you can email ise@port.ac.uk.
To book your place on an ISE module, click here.
Table 1: ISE Modules with a focus on written language and communication
Module title |
Short description |
Module code |
Developing an academic style: Introductory* Available in: TB1A & TB2A. Also Available online |
Intended for students with an IELTS writing score of up to 6.0. |
M32100 |
Developing an academic style: Advanced* Available in: TB1B & TB2B. Also Available online |
Intended for students with an IELTS writing score of 6.0 and higher |
M32099 |
Developing critical reading skills* Available in: TB2A. |
|
M32102 |
Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly* Available in: TB1B & TB2B. |
|
M32103 |
Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing Available in: TB1A, TB1B, TB2A & TB2B. Also Available online. |
For undergraduate and exchange students only |
M32109 |
Language for scientific report writing* Available in: TB1A, TB2A & TB2B. |
|
M32110 |
Writing a postgraduate dissertation* Available in: TB1 & TB2 (10 week module). Also Available online |
For postgraduate students only |
M32127 |
*Please note that students on the following programmes are recommended to take academic language and communication modules designed for their degree courses / departments:
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MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL
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MA Business Communication for International Leadership
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MSc engineering degrees in the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering (SENE), and the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering (SMDE)
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PGCE Trainees (Upper Secondary and Further Education)
Ask your department for more information about these modules or email ise@port.ac.uk.
Table 2: ISE Modules with a focus on spoken and/or written language and communication
Module title |
Short description |
Module code |
Communicating ideas visually and verbally Available in: TB1A & TB2A. |
|
M32098 |
Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation Available in: TB1B. |
|
M32101 |
Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work* Available in: TB1A, TB1B & TB2B. Also available online |
|
M32104 |
Developing scientific language for presentation, seminar and group work* Available in: TB1A, TB1B & TB2B. |
|
M32105 |
From taking notes to writing assignments* Available in: TB1A & TB2A. Also Available online |
|
M32108 |
Using Business vocabulary Available in: TB1A & TB1B. |
|
M32112 |
*Please note that students on the following programmes are recommended to take academic language and communication modules designed for their degree courses / departments:
-
MA Applied Linguistics and TESOL
-
MA Business Communication for International Leadership
-
MSc engineering degrees in the School of Energy and Electronic Engineering (SENE), and the School of Mechanical and Design Engineering (SMDE)
-
PGCE Trainees (Upper Secondary and Further Education)
Ask your department for more information about these modules or email ise@port.ac.uk.
How do I join an ISE module?
To book your place on an ISE module, click here.
Note that you may not always be able to get your first choice of module. If that happens, we will try to offer you your second choice (if that is available) or find an alternative for you.
If you have any questions about the modules, you can email ise@port.ac.uk