English Language Skills for University Success
The School of Graduate Studies offers free workshops for Memorial University graduate students. These non-credit workshops are offered to registered students in graduate diploma, masters, or doctoral programs and designed to help improve speaking and writing skills for a variety of contexts.
Winter 2025 writing and speaking skills workshops will be held once a week from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the dates below. All workshops will be offered online in Newfoundland Standard Time (NST) via Brightspace.
Writing and Speaking Skills Workshops:
Formal Speaking
Discusses when to use formal language and presents formal English phrases along with strategies to improve speaking skills in formal environments.
Date and Time: Thursday, January 30, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: January 29, 2025
REGISTER
Note-Taking
Describes different note-taking techniques and how to organize relevant information effectively.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: February 5, 2025
REGISTER
Presentation Skills
Discusses ways to organize a presentation and strategies to present ideas in a clear and coherent manner that engage the audience.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: February 12, 2025
REGISTER
Writing an Outline
Examines why outlines are useful and ways to develop logical and effective outlines.
Date and Time: Thursday, February 20, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: February 19, 2025
REGISTER
Writing a Thesis Statement
Discusses ways to write an effective thesis statement that is crucial to the content of the paper.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: March 5, 2025
REGISTER
Informal Speaking
Outlines ways to start and continue conversations using everyday language and expressions.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 13, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: March 12, 2025
REGISTER
Incorporating In-Text Citations
Discusses strategies to insert citations smoothly into a piece of writing that optimizes the effectiveness of the chosen citation.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 20, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: March 19, 2025
REGISTER
Integrating Visuals in Texts
Explains how to reference visuals in academic writing that presents an effective explanation of their relevance without disrupting the flow of the paragraph.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 27, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: March 26, 2025
REGISTER
Effective Emails
Reviews the structure of an email and how to use concise language to capture the attention of the reader. Discusses both formal and informal language.
Date and Time: Thursday, April 3, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: April 2, 2025
REGISTER
Interviews
Presents how to answer questions in an interview setting, with some tips highlighted to optimize both the interview experience and outcome.
Date and Time: Thursday, April 10, 2025, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Mode: Online
Registration Deadline: April 9, 2025
REGISTER
Individual Appointment for English Language Skills
If you are interested in improving your spoken and written English proficiency or have inquiries regarding improving your English language skills, please contact esl@mun.ca for more information or to arrange a 30-minute individual online appointment with an ESL instructor.