General English for Undergraduates

Why a General English Course?

In an increasingly globalised world, proficiency in English is no longer a luxury it is a core skill for academic success, professional development and personal growth. Undergraduate students from all disciplines benefit from a solid foundation in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English. The General English course is designed to bridge gaps, reinforce academic language, and build confidence for every learner.

Course Objectives

• Develop academic reading strategies for textbooks, journal articles and research reports.
• Enhance writing skills for essays, lab reports, presentations and reflective journals.
• Improve listening comprehension through lectures, podcasts and multimedia material.
• Strengthen oral communication for seminars, group work and professional interviews.
• Expand vocabulary relevant to a wide range of subjects and everyday situations.
• Foster critical thinking and analytical skills through discussion and argumentation.

Who Should Enrol?

The course welcomes:

• Firstyear students who need a strong start in academic English.
• Students who have studied English as a foreign language and want to polish their skills.
• Anyone who feels less confident in writing essays, delivering presentations or participating in class discussions.
• Students from nonEnglishspeaking backgrounds seeking to meet university language requirements.

Curriculum Overview

Each semester the course is divided into four modules, each lasting five weeks. The modules are interlinked, allowing skills to develop progressively.

Module 1 Foundations of Academic Reading

• Skimming and scanning techniques.
• Identifying thesis statements, arguments and evidence.
• Notetaking and summarising.
• Critical evaluation of sources.

Module 2 Writing for University

• Paragraph structure and coherence.
• Essay planning, thesis development and referencing.
• Practice with reports, abstracts and literature reviews.
• Peerreview workshops.

Module 3 Listening and Speaking in Academic Contexts

• Listening for main ideas and details in lectures.
• Notetaking during oral presentations.
• Participating in seminars and debates.
• Pronunciation, intonation and publicspeaking confidence.

Module 4 Vocabulary and Grammar for DisciplineSpecific Use

• Collocations and academic word lists.
• Grammar structures frequently required in reports and presentations.
• Contextual activities using disciplinespecific texts.
• Selfassessment and personalised learning plans.

Teaching Methods

The course blends interactive lectures, collaborative workshops, online learning tools and realworld tasks.

• Flipped classroom: short video lectures are watched before class, freeing time for practice.
• Taskbased learning: students complete authentic tasks such as writing a research proposal or delivering a 5minute talk.
• Peer feedback: structured review sheets guide constructive criticism.
• Technology integration: languagelearning platforms, podcasts and digital libraries support independent study.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and diverse, ensuring that every skill area is measured fairly.

• Reading comprehension quizzes (20%).
• Written assignments essay, report or literature review (30%).
• Oral presentation with peer and teacher feedback (20%).
• Listening tasks and reflective journals (15%).
• Participation and attendance (15%).

Benefits of Completing the Course

Graduates of the General English course report measurable improvements:

• Higher grades in disciplinespecific courses that require extensive reading and writing.
• Greater confidence when speaking in seminars or during internships.
• Enhanced employability many employers list English proficiency as a key requirement.
• Readiness for postgraduate study, where academic English expectations are higher.

How to Enrol

Enrollment is open each semester. To register, visit the universitys course portal, select General English for Undergraduates and follow the onscreen instructions. The course has a limited number of seats to maintain an interactive environment, so early registration is recommended.