Be prepared: what English skills do students need in higher education?

English is the lingua franca of the academic world. Students who enter higher education after secondary school will inevitably encounter English during their studies, even if their programme’s official medium of instruction is Dutch. Research shows that students entering higher education mainly need help with academic vocabulary, reading, and understanding lectures in English. Ever wondered what you can do to help them prepare? This revamped workshop will give you tips and inspiration!

Programma

During the introduction to this workshop, we’ll look at some facts and figures on how English is used in Dutch-language higher education programmes, as well as some examples of the materials students are expected to understand.

We’ll then look at some examples of online self-study materials that you can recommend to students who are worried about how they might cope with English in higher education. The websites include resources for various skills, such as reading, listening, note-taking, vocabulary, etc.

The third part of the workshop will introduce authentic but accessible academic text and audio resources that you can immediately start using to create reading and listening lessons. You’ll practise selecting and adapting appropriate texts and audio to help students develop the key skills they’ll need to thrive in higher education.

The workshop will be taught in English.

Doelstellingen

Acquire a realistic understanding of the relative importance of English in Dutch-language higher education programmes.

Familiarise yourself with online academic English self-study materials that you can refer your students to.

Learn to select and adapt suitable academic texts and audio to use with your students.

Doelgroep

English teachers in the third grade of ASO, TSO and KSO

Begeleiding

Zoë Teuwen teaches general, business and academic English at Linguapolis (University of Antwerp’s language institute). In her role as linguistic and pedagogical adviser for Academic English she provides support to both students and staff, ranging from lectures in the university’s various faculties to small group courses and individual coaching.

Praktisch

Mee te brengen door cursist

Laptop or tablet, but this is not a requirement.