Spring 2026 Courses – January 20 – April 27

American English Pronunciation

Schedule: TTh 5:30PM-6:45PM
Location: Homewood Campus
This course focuses on improving students’ perception and pronunciation of American English through learning articulation, phonetics, and phonology. Students learn the basics of anatomy of speech production in order to understand how difficult sounds and sound contrasts are made. Students also learn the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to help them distinguish sound contrasts that are difficult depending on the individual students’ native languages. Moving beyond individual sounds, students learn how sounds change depending on what word or phrase they appear in and when they appear in fast or colloquial speech. Finally, students learn and practice intonation appropriate for various types of statements and questions.

Public Speaking in Academia

Schedule: TTh 7:00-8:15PM
Location: Homewood Campus
This course is intended for international students with advanced English skills and satisfactory pronunciation who wish to further improve their communication and public speaking skills, as well as better understand the cultural norms of American academia. Students will refine their speaking skills, practice designing and giving presentations, and learn the basics of speaking publicly in American academia, at conferences, and inside the classroom. This course is appropriate as a follow-up to American English Pronunciation (AS 370.602) or as a stand-alone course for students with satisfactory pronunciation. This course can also be repeated for additional practice or taken concurrently with American English Pronunciation.

Effective Communication in Academic English

Schedule: TTh 9:00AM – 10:15AM
Location: Homewood Campus
This course is designed to help you master English for academic research. You’ll learn the vocabulary, phrases, and appropriate academic register needed to communicate effectively in university settings. We’ll explore the language and style used in English publications and conferences, plus important cultural differences. We’ll work together through speaking and writing exercises based on your own research topics and research. The course covers writing abstracts, preparing for academic conferences, and communicating your research to both experts and general audiences. You’ll have opportunities to try out your presentations and practice essential skills like engaging in discussions, asking and answering questions during talks, introducing yourself professionally, crafting your CV, and communicating via email. Throughout the course, you’ll develop key language skills including hedging language, signposting techniques, and creating compelling openings for your talks and writing. Designed for non-native English speakers with advanced proficiency, this course will help build the confidence and competence to communicate clearly and effectively in English-speaking academic environments.