Article - In-sessional English (ISE): Academic Language and Communication | Student Services

If English is not your first language, the University of Portsmouth offers a range of short 5-week and 10-week modules in academic language and communication as part of the In-Sessional English programme you can see in this video.

In-Sessional English at the University of Portsmouth

What is ISE?

ISE Modules:

develop the strategies and skills you need for spoken and written assessment;
are open to Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Exchange students;
take place four times a year between September and May;
are free (i.e. you are not charged a fee to take part);
are not completed for credit, but can be added to your student achievement record.

What modules do you offer and how can I join?

There are 12 ISE Modules to choose from - see ISE Module Descriptions below.

To ask a question or for advice on which ISE module is best for you, email ise@port.ac.uk

To see which modules are available and book your place on an ISE module, click here, but please note the ISE registration dates below.

Note that you may not always be able to get your first choice of module. If that happens, we will try to offer you your second choice (if that is available) or find an alternative for you.

ISE registration dates

	Teaching Block 1		Teaching Block 2
	TB1A	TB1B	TB2A	TB2B
Registration Period (when you can book a place)	12 Sep 2022 – 27 Sep 2022	31 Oct 2022 – 8 Nov 2022	09 Jan 2023 – 20 Jan 2023	6 Mar 2023 – 14 Mar 2023
Teaching Period for 5-WEEK MODULES*	3 Oct 2022 – 11 Nov 2022	14 Nov 2022 – 16 Dec 2022	30 Jan 2023 – 3 Mar 2023	20 Mar 2023 – 12 May 2023
5-WEEK Modules Available (see ISE Module Descriptions below for more information) Modules marked C-OL are available both on campus and online. All other modules are offered either on campus or online (You will find out the format before the course begins).	Developing an academic style INTRODUCTORY	Communicating ideas visually and verbally	Developing an academic style ADVANCED C-OL	Communicating ideas visually and verbally
	Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation	Developing an academic style ADVANCED C-OL	Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work	Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation
	From taking notes to writing assignments	Developing critical reading skills	From taking notes to writing assignments	Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly
	Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing C-OL	Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly	Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing	Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work
	Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology)	Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work	Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology)	Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing
				Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology)
				Language for scientific report writing
Teaching Period for 10-WEEK MODULES* (Postgraduate students only)	3 Oct 2022 – 16 Dec 2022 Writing a postgraduate dissertation		30 Jan 2023 – 12 May 2023 Writing a postgraduate dissertation

*There are no classes during consolidation weeks or vacation weeks.

ISE Module Descriptions

If you are mainly interested in DEVELOPING YOUR SPEAKING, choose one of these modules:

Module Code	Module Title	Description
M32101	Developing an ear for English: Understanding pronunciation	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To identify features of fast and fluent English speech to improve understanding.
M32104	Developing language for presentation, seminar and group work	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in fields of Business, Social Sciences, Creative Industries, the Arts.
M32105	Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology)	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

If you are mainly interested in DEVELOPING YOUR WRITING, choose one of these modules:

Module Code	Module Title	Description
M32109	Improving your academic English for dissertation and final report writing	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce undergraduate students to the structure and language needed for effective academic research reports.
M32109	Writing a postgraduate dissertation NB! This is ONLY available to postgraduate students	Duration: 20 hours over 10 weeks Aim: To develop the language and skills postgraduate students need for organising and writing effective dissertations.
M32100	Developing an academic style: Introductory	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To identify and use essential vocabulary, phrases, and sentence structures that are suitable for academic writing.
M32099	Developing an academic style: Advanced	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop a more advanced uses of vocabulary, phrases, and sentence structures that are suitable for academic writing.
M32103	Developing effective paragraphs for communicating your ideas clearly	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To recognise that effective paragraphs are essential for clear and effective academic writing.
M32110	Language for scientific report writing	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce students of science, technology, and engineering of the structure and language needed for effective academic written assessments.

If you are a student in SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING or MATHS, choose one of these modules:

Module Code	Module Title	Description
M32110	Language for scientific report writing	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To introduce students of science, technology, and engineering of the structure and language needed for effective academic written assessments.
M32105	Language for presentation, seminar and group work (Science and Technology)	Duration: 10 hours over 5 weeks Aim: To develop effective spoken communication in a range of academic settings in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)