Each Fall and Winter term, ELI presents free interactive workshops focusing on specific English writing and speaking skills U-M students need to succeed in their academic and professional careers. ELI workshops are open to all U-M students.
Fall 2023 WORKSHOP SERIES: English for Academic Purposes
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Click here to register for any of the workshops below.
WRITING EFFECTIVE EMAIL (Wed, Sep 6, 6-8 pm)
Have you ever struggled to write important email messages? Have you ever wondered whether your tone is right in your email messages? In academic and professional settings, the ability to write effective email messages is an essential skill to communicate your professional persona. In this workshop we will focus on strategies for writing clear, effective and professional email. You will learn how to write emails that are likely to be read, be easily understood, and create a good first impression. Bring a few samples of your important email messages to analyze. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group discussions. SIGN-UP
MAKING THE MOST OF OFFICE HOURS (Mon, Sept 11, 6-8 pm)
Are you aware that interacting with professors outside of class can be a key to academic success in the US? Office hours are helpful if you have questions about course content or homework. They provide an opportunity for you to connect with your professor and to understand their expectations for the course. They also help you learn about U.S. academic culture. This workshop will provide information about what to expect during office hours and tips for communicating effectively with your professor. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group role plays. SIGN-UP
WRITING IN "ACADEMIC STYLE" (Thurs, Sept 14, 6-8 pm)
Whether you are writing a research article, class assignment, conference abstract or dissertation, the words, grammatical structures, and organizational patterns you use all signal whether your text sounds “academic.” We will look at features of academic style, and how these differ across a range of writing that undergraduate and graduate students do. In this workshop we will work on how to make effective stylistic choices for the types of writing you are doing and the academic identity you wish to convey to your readers in various writing contexts. Bring a text you are currently working on for analysis. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group discussions. SIGN-UP
TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC SPEAKING IN ENGLISH (Mon, Sept 18, 6-8 pm)
When you give a presentation, does your voice express confidence? Is it loud enough? Do your listeners easily understand you? Is your audience engaged? In this workshop we will explore techniques to gain confidence and comfort when public speaking in English. You will leave with tips and resources to improve your public speaking abilities. Everyone will give a short presentation on a topic of your choice: a self-introduction, overview of your field of study, or a quick story of an interesting experience. SIGN-UP
REFINING YOUR GRAD SCHOOL APPLICATION ESSAYS (Mon, Sept 25, 6-8 pm)
(For students applying to masters, PhD, and professional graduate programs)Are you applying to a graduate program for fall 2023? Are you trying to figure out how to organize and narrow down all that you might write in your Statement of Purpose (SOP)? How does an SOP differ from a Personal Statement? How do a Teaching Philosophy Statement or a Diversity Statement fit in? We will examine organizational strategies for the range of essays you are crafting and explore ways to find the words to articulate why you are a great match for the program(s) you are applying to. Bring a list of ideas, a draft outline, or draft essays to work on during the workshop. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group discussions. SIGN-UP
WHAT ARE YOU LAUGHING AT? UNDERSTANDING AMERICAN HUMOR (Mon, Oct 2, 6-8 pm)
Do you find yourself feeling lost when people around you are laughing and you seem to have missed the joke? Humor is an important part of communication but can be a challenge to understand. Ideas about what is funny vary greatly from culture to culture. Jokes can include tricky wordplay and idiomatic expressions. Yet ‘getting’ humor can support academic, social and professional success. This small interactive workshop explores common types of humor and current examples of popular U.S. humor, followed by analysis and discussion of what makes the content funny. Please come prepared to participate actively in small group discussions (and to laugh)! SIGN-UP
