Academic Writing in English for ESL Learners
Develop your academic writing skills in English as a second language (ESL) learner and advance your English writing at university.
Duration
3 weeksWeekly study
3 hours
Academic Writing in English for ESL Learners
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Improve your academic writing skills for essay writing in English
This course will equip you with the skills to write good persuasive essays in English at university level, as well as improve your critical thinking skills, argument reasoning, and use of external sources for writing in English.
Develop your academic essay writing skills to succeed at an English-speaking university
For many ESL students around the world, it can be challenging to meet the high standard expected for academic writing in English.
As writing is an essential skill in all disciplines and one of the main methods of assessments at university, these challenges can negatively impact student learning progress.
Learn how to write an essay in English using evidence and critical analysis
On this course, you’ll learn the requirements for good academic writing in English.
You’ll have the chance to improve your English writing skills through practice and develop your knowledge of argumentative essay structure and composition.
You’ll also discover how to write critically and analytically using evidence, argument reasoning, analysis and evaluation.
Build your skills in referencing and formatting for academic writing in English
As you improve and evaluate your own work as well as the work of others, you’ll learn how to use external evidence in your English essay writing and how to search for primary and secondary resources.
The final steps of the course will teach you how to format academic essays in English correctly and present your document.
Get ESL training with academic writing experts at UCL
The course is created and led with insights from the UCL Knowledge Lab and the UCL Arena Centre.
As an ESL learner, you’ll learn in an open and collaborative environment where you’ll be supported to share your experiences and resources.
What topics will you cover?
Week 1: The nature of academic writing and argumentative essays
- The nature of academic writing to university students.
- Essay structure.
- Composition skills.
Week 2: Critical thinking and usage of evidence
- Argument reasoning, analysis and evaluation.
- Supporting evidence.
- Critical reflection.
Week 3: Using external resources
- Searching for evidence: primary and secondary resources.
- Documentation and formatting.
When would you like to start?
Date to be announced
Add to Wishlist to be emailed when new dates are announced
Learning on this course
You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the main components of writing and their conventions
- Identify the nature of writing argumentative essays and their conventions
- Demonstrate the ability to write critically and analytically
- Evaluate one's own work and the work of others
- Explore a diversity of students’ backgrounds and look at how they enhance the writing experience and encourage writing practice
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for English as a second language learners and English as a foreign language learners studying in English at higher education institutions around the world.
It will also be useful for learners of English who wish to improve their academic writing skills.
Who will you learn with?
I am a Senior Research Fellow in Online Learning Pedagogies and Future Education at UCL Knowledge Lab, UCL Institute of Education.
I'm director of UCL's Arena Centre which is responsible for a range of education enhancement activities across UCL. I started out as a physicist but moved into education gradually over many years.
Doctoral researcher in second language learning and digital education - University College London
Lecturer - King Saud University
Who developed the course?
UCL (University College London)
UCL was founded in 1826. It was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, and the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it.
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps, but you can complete them as quickly or slowly as you like
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
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