• The Open University

Listening and Presenting: Learning English for Academic Purposes

Improve your listening and note-taking skills, plus your understanding of academic vocabulary, then create your own presentation.

Find out how to listen and present effectively in English.

Being able to listen to others and present your own ideas effectively will help you to succeed at university. This online course helps you to develop these skills while studying in English. It shows you effective strategies for listening and note taking, to help you identify and record the key points in other people’s presentations. As part of this, you will improve your understanding of key academic language and specialist vocabulary.

You will bring everything you learn together, to create and practice delivering your own spoken presentation and receive detailed Educator feedback.

What topics will you cover?

  • Key listening skills and strategies for academic purposes.
  • Vocabulary learning strategies to expand your academic vocabulary.
  • How to make effective notes.
  • How to identify and analyse a lecture’s structure.
  • What makes a good presentation.
  • How to be confident in presenting to others.
  • Skills for connecting with your target audience.
  • Differentiating between fact and opinion.
  • Find and evaluate information for your purposes.
  • Plan and create your own presentation.
  • Get detailed feedback from an Educator on your presentation.

Learning on this course

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...

  • Develop key strategies and skills while listening to lectures.
  • Improve your understanding of key academic language and specialist vocabulary.
  • Compare note-making systems and choose the appropriate one for your purposes.
  • Identify and analyse a lecture's structure.
  • Describe and differentiate between fact and opinion in academic presentations.
  • Assess the key elements of a good presentation.
  • Investigate vocabulary building strategies and develop your dictionary skills.
  • Improve your confidence when presenting to other people.
  • Evaluate the reliability of academic sources.
  • Collect together a range of sources to use in your own presentation.
  • Collaborate with other learners by engaging in peer-to-peer feedback.
  • Demonstrate everything you've learned by planning, creating and delivering your own presentation as your assignment.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for students who want to study in English at university. We recommend an existing English language level of IELTS 5.5.

Who will you learn with?

I began my English teaching career in China 14 years ago. On my return to the UK I completed my MA TESOL and have since then specialised in teaching EAP as well as writing course materials.

OU associate lecturer and materials writer. I have written materials on business communication, Academic English and Italian.

Who developed the course?

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • 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

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

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