Looking to boost your English skills?
Academic English is a way of writing and speaking that is unfamiliar to most people, even to native speakers of English – but it's something you'll need to succeed in your studies.
Our events and learning programmes will help you develop your knowledge of Academic English in friendly, accessible settings during your studies.
Before starting your degree course, you can also learn about academic English by taking a Pre-Sessional English course.
These courses are delivered by our Centre for Continuing Professional Development (CCPD).
The Centre offers specialist subject and English language study for those interested in career development opportunities in the UK.
CCPD's courses are designed to develop professional skills and enable career opportunities. All courses are fully supported by our dedicated CCPD team and led by experts in their fields.
In-Sessional English (ISE)
Our In-Sessional English (ISE) programme is open to undergraduate students (BA, BSc) and postgraduate students (MA, MSc, PhD). ISE offers a range of short modules available in both teaching blocks.
Available modules include:
- Communicating ideas visually and verbally
- Developing an academic style: Advanced
- Developing an academic style: Introductory
- Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation
- Developing critical reading skills
- Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly
- Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work
- Developing scientific language for presentation, seminar and group work
- From taking notes to writing assignments
- Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing
- Language for scientific report writing
- Using Business vocabulary
- Writing a postgraduate dissertation
Teaching is on-campus with some modules available online.
For more information and to register please visit the ISE Page.
Events
Global Cafe
Join us in Park Building Learning Resource Centre for cultural and language exchange activities.
1.00pm –2.00pm every Wednesday during term time. All students welcome.
Our social and cultural calendar
Our Global Office organises trips and parties throughout the year so you can visit other cities, meet English families and see our cultural landmarks. Visit this page to see what events are coming up.
Contact us
If you have questions about how we can help you improve your English, email ise@port.ac.uk or call +44 (0)23 9284 6190.
In-Sessional English at the University of Portsmouth
Explore our support for students with English as an additional language.
In-session English - ISE - at the University of Portsmouth
What is In-Sessional English?
Designed to support students for whom English is an additional language, we offer a range of modules to help you develop your academic English language skills.
Available throughout the year in 5 week periods.
Free of charge for all students.
On-campus and online modules available.
Make friends from around the University.
Develop your skills in:
- Academic writing
- Critical reading
- Dissertation and final report writing
- English for communication
- Academic style
- Grammar and vocabulary
Experience expert teaching by the School of Languages and Applied Linguistics.
For more information and to register search MyPort for ‘ISE’ or email ise@port.ac.uk.