In-Sessional English (ISE): Academic language and communication
IN-SESSIONAL ENGLISH (ISE): ACADEMIC LANGUAGE AND COMMUNICATION
If English is not your first language, the University of Portsmouth offers a range of short 5-week and 10-week modules in academic language and communication as part of the In-Sessional English programme you can see in this video.
What is ISE?
ISE Modules:
- develop the strategies and skills you need for spoken and written assessment;
- are open to Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Exchange students;
- take place four times a year between September and May;
- are free (i.e. you are not charged a fee to take part);
- are not completed for credit, but can be added to your student achievement record.
What modules do you offer and how can I join?
There are 12 ISE Modules to choose from - see ISE Module Descriptions below.
To ask a question or for advice on which ISE module is best for you, email ise@port.ac.uk
To see which modules are available and book your place on an ISE module, click here, but please note the ISE registration dates below.
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.
ISE registration dates
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Teaching Block 1 |
Teaching Block 2 |
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TB1A |
TB1B |
TB2A |
TB2B |
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Registration Period (when you can book a place) |
12 Sep 2022 – 27 Sep 2022 |
31 Oct 2022 – 8 Nov 2022 |
16 Jan 2023 – 24 Jan 2023 |
6 Mar 2023 – 14 Mar 2023 |
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Teaching Period for 5-WEEK MODULES* |
3 Oct 2022 – 11 Nov 2022 |
14 Nov 2022 – 16 Dec 2022 |
30 Jan 2023 – 3 Mar 2023 |
20 Mar 2023 – 12 May 2023 |
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5-WEEK Modules Available (see ISE Module Descriptions below for more information) Modules marked C-OL are available both on campus and online. All other modules are offered either on campus or online (You will find out the format before the course begins). |
Developing an academic style INTRODUCTORY ____________ Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation ____________ From taking notes to writing assignments ____________ Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing C-OL ____________ Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology) |
Communicating ideas visually and verbally ____________ Developing an academic style ADVANCED C-OL ____________ Developing critical reading skills ____________ Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly ____________ Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work ____________ Language for scientific report writing |
Developing an academic style ADVANCED C-OL ____________ Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work ____________ From taking notes to writing assignments ____________ Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing C-OL ____________ Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology) |
Communicating ideas visually and verbally ____________ Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation ____________ Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly ____________ Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work ____________ Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing ____________ Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology) ____________ Language for scientific report writing |
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Teaching Period for 10-WEEK MODULES* |
3 Oct 2022 – 16 Dec 2022 |
30 Jan 2023 – 12 May 2023 |
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*There are no classes during consolidation weeks or vacation weeks.
ISE Module Descriptions
If you are mainly interested in DEVELOPING YOUR SPEAKING, choose one of these modules:
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Module Code |
Module Title |
Description |
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M32101 |
Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To identify features of fast and fluent English speech to improve understanding. |
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M32104 |
Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in fields of Business, Social Sciences, Creative Industries, the Arts. |
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M32105 |
Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology) |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) |
If you are mainly interested in DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING AND STUDY SKILLS, choose one of these modules:
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Module Code |
Module Title |
Description |
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M32102 |
Developing critical reading skills |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) |
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M32108 |
From taking notes to writing assignments |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) |
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M32098 |
Communicating ideas visually and verbally |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) |
If you are mainly interested in DEVELOPING YOUR WRITING, choose one of these modules:
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Module Code |
Module Title |
Description |
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M32109 |
Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce undergraduate students to the structure and language needed for effective academic research reports. |
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M32137 |
Writing a postgraduate dissertation NB! This is ONLY available to postgraduate students |
Duration: 20 hours over 10 weeks Aim: To develop the language and skills postgraduate students need for organising and writing effective dissertations. |
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M32100 |
Developing an academic style: Introductory |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To identify and use essential vocabulary, phrases, and sentence structures that are suitable for academic writing. |
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M32099 |
Developing an academic style: Advanced |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop a more advanced uses of vocabulary, phrases, and sentence structures that are suitable for academic writing. |
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M32103 |
Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To recognise that effective paragraphs are essential for clear and effective academic writing. |
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M32110 |
Language for scientific report writing |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce students of science, technology, and engineering of the structure and language needed for effective academic written assessments. |
If you are a student in SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING or MATHS, choose one of these modules:
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Module Code |
Module Title |
Description |
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M32110 |
Language for scientific report writing |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce students of science, technology, and engineering of the structure and language needed for effective academic written assessments. |
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M32105 |
Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology) |
Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) |