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.
WINTER 2025 WORKSHOPS
Registration Opens in January
Writing Effective Emails (Wednesday, January 22, 2025 6-8pm)
Have you ever struggled to write important emails?Have you ever wondered whether your tone is right in your email messages? 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
Networking and Small Talk in English (Wednesday, January 22, 2025, 6-8pm)
Establishing a strong social network is key to academic and professional success, and it supports your overall well-being too! Learning how to comfortably make small talk is a great first step in building your personal and professional network. It also helps you excel in your academic work and integrate with life on campus. This interactive workshop will provide tips and strategies for networking and small talk in English, preparing you to make your own connections with friends, professors, and future colleagues. Please come prepared to participate actively in small groups. SIGN UP
Editing Your Writing for Organization, Flow, and Precision (Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 6-8pm)
Connecting ideas smoothly for readers is one of the keys to effective academic writing. In this workshop, we will explore “information bridges” as a means to improve the organization, flow, and precision of your writing. We will work with examples from a range of academic disciplines, and provide you with tools to recognize how information bridges tend to be constructed in your own corner of the academic writing world. Please bring something you've drafted, at any stage in your writing process, to try out editing strategies during the workshop. SIGN UP
Using Videos TO Enhance Your Speaking & Listening Skills (Wednesday, February 12, 2025, 6-8pm)
YouTube, TED Talks, Netflix, Tiktok. Easily accessible video content impacts the way public speakers present their ideas in and outside academia. In this hands-on workshop, we will explore ways you can use online videos to develop skills and strategies to take your English speaking to the next level. We will look at resources for improving both speaking and listening. Please come prepared to join in conversations with other participants in this interactive workshop. SIGN UP
NEW! Talking about DEI: Strategies for International Students (Wednesday, April 9, 2025, 6-8pm)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is one of the most important initiatives on U-M’s campus today. Students, faculty, and staff are talking about DEI, anti-racism, and social justice every day. This interactive workshop introduces some cultural context for these conversations and provides you with key concepts and vocabulary for discussing these topics and contributing your perspective to a more inclusive, diverse campus environment. We'll explore the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You will then have the opportunity to practice expressing your ideas, navigating different viewpoints, and practicing discussion strategies in a relaxed, supportive environment. SIGN UP
SPECIAL TWO-PART WORKSHOP: ENGLISH FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Part 1: Participating in Sustainability Conversations on Campus and Beyond (Tuesday, April 15 2025, 6-8pm)
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is one of the most important initiatives on U-M’s campus today. Students, faculty, and staff are talking about DEI, anti-racism, and social justice every day. This interactive workshop introduces some cultural context for these conversations and provides you with key concepts and vocabulary for discussing these topics and contributing your perspective to a more inclusive, diverse campus environment. We'll explore the concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion. You will then have the opportunity to practice expressing your ideas, navigating different viewpoints, and practicing discussion strategies in a relaxed, supportive environment. SIGN UP
Part 2: Nature Walk in the Arb (Saturday, April 19, 2025, 10:30 am)
Join us on the Saturday following our workshop on Sustainability Conversations for a casual nature walk in U-M’s Nichols Arboretum. Take a break from studying, connect with nature, and enjoy conversation with fellow students in this magical place right next to U-M's campus! Don’t forget to bring water and wear shoes that are comfortable for walking on hilly trails. We will walk rain or shine! Further information, including meeting location, will be provided upon registration. SIGN UP
