English for academic purposes:

reinforces the skills required for effective participation in a university academic environment. These skills include note-taking, report writing, scanning and research editing, library use, and effective participation in tutorials and seminars

An important aspect of studying at a university in an English-speaking country is the English language courses and support provided by the institutions. Nearly all-British universities provide English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses for students who have been offered a place, or who simply plan in the future to apply for a place, to study at a British university.

• What is an EAP course?

There are two main types of courses in English for Academic Purposes. One is for students who want to improve their English for study purposes before they attend their main courses at a British university. These courses are called Pre-sessional courses. The other type is for students who are already attending courses at a university and who need more help with their academic English. These are called In-sessional courses.

• Presessional course

Pre-sessional courses can run for 1-12 months depending on the student's English language level on entry. They are full-time courses with 20-25 hours of classes per week. The aim of a Pre-sessional course is to prepare students for life and study at a British University. Students who want to study at a university in Britain should first of all check the English requirements for the course they intend to study in. This will explain the level of English that is needed for entry to the course of study. The student will then probably have to take a test to assess their level of English. The most widely recognised international tests of English for Academic Purposes are IELTS and TOEFL. When the results and completed application form are sent to the university, the Registrar or Admissions Office of the University will advise whether it is necessary to attend a pre-sessional EAP course in the university before the main course begins.

Pre-sessional EAP courses give students practice in communicating in academic English, that is in writing essays, reports and other academic papers, reading academic texts, listening to lectures and taking notes and, of course, making academic presentations. Pre-sessional courses prepare students for a life of study at a particular university by establishing personal contact with their department before their main course begins and enabling them to become familiar with, for example, the library, the computing facilities, and so on. In addition, as academic expectations vary greatly from country to country, pre-sessional EAP courses are an invaluable time for international students to come to understand the academic responsibilities and expectations they will meet in their new academic environment.

Pre-sessional courses normally include trips to places of local interest in order to help students settle into their new community. In addition to this, a social programme is normally provided, and attention is given to the welfare of students, helping them settle into their accommodation, find banks, food shops, health facilities, etc. Students who attend Pre-sessional EAP courses in British universities remark on their usefulness in helping them settle and prepare for the academic course ahead. These courses help students psychologically (getting accustomed to the new culture, customs and climate), practically (finding their way around), socially (they make lots of lasting friendships on Pre-sessional courses) and of course linguistically by helping them become accustomed to academic English and to brush up their everyday English.

The EAP courses have levels that suit different types of levels, from Elementary to Proficiency. New students take written and spoken tests to determine their start level and choose a program of Communication and/or Academic Preparation courses. Courses all focus on skills such as Speaking and Listening, Reading and Grammar, Writing, Pronunciation or Examination (IELTS mainly).

You will receive grades for the work you do in the Intensive English Program. When you pass the courses at each level, the English Language Institute will issue you a transcript or certificate of your grades. 

1. Students are screened and placed into classes which meet their proficiency needs. The screening process entails an oral interview, an essay, and a standardized test. This enables the instructors to more thoroughly assess individual needs.

• reading comprehension

• academic writing

• grammar

• listening comprehension

• oral production.

(Students find their TOEFL performance enhanced by this curricular approach.)

In addition, the ELI can offer separate TOEFL preparation classes for interested groups or individuals. Full-time students spend 20 to 30 hours per week in class studying grammar, reading and writing, listening, and speaking