Enhancing Your English Course: Steps Toward Better Writing - Standard

English. Develop your command of the English language with us.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses online and in-person. Please check the delivery format of each class before enrolling.

Please note that course materials (excluding prescribed texts) are shared electronically within 48 hours of course commencement. Printing is not available.

Having good writing skills in English can help people succeed in their studies, careers, as well as in social aspects of their lives. Good writing skills allow people to have clear communication with others, express ideas more clearly, provide foundation for further education and increase vocabulary. 

This course improves skills in basic writing in English and is designed for people from a wide range of occupations, as well as students involved in TAFE and tertiary education. 

The course begins with an introduction to spoken and written English, a revision of practical grammar, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling. It then progresses to paragraphs and full texts, exploring different kinds of writing, from different types of workplace communication to essays. 

There is also a focus on vocabulary enrichment and punctuation. The course also includes a reading and discussion group of selected texts in order to improve writing through reading. Class discussion is a main feature of the course, providing opportunities for you to engage in class while promoting reflective thinking. There is also a focus on weekly written exercises, including detailed feedback from the facilitator, helping you understand your learning process.

Aims

This course aims to teach you how to improve your basic writing skills in English. You will be able to communicate with increased skills across a range of writing that includes different types of workplace communication and essays. 

For upper intermediate level and above we recommend you enrol in our Advanced course.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• write with enhanced skills in basic formal English 
• communicate in written English with improved skills in grammar, sentence structure, paragraphing and punctuation 
• employ an increased range of vocabulary in your writing 
• communicate with increased skills across a range of writing that includes different types of workplace communication and essays 
• improve communication skills through reading and the discussion of a variety of texts.

Content

• Introduction to spoken and written English 
• Revision of basic English grammar 
• Sentence structure: simple, compound and complex sentences 
• Punctuation and spelling 
• Vocabulary enrichment 
• Paragraph: structure 
• Formal writing that includes: workplace communication (from short emails to more formal ways of workplace communication) and essays for people in TAFE and tertiary education 
• Weekly written exercises 
• Reading and discussion of a variety of texts in class 
• Strategies for consolidation and development

Intended audience

This course is suitable for people with a basic competence in English who wish to increase their skills in standard writing. It is designed for people already engaged in the workplace across a wide range of occupations, and for students in TAFE and tertiary studies. 

The course is rewarding for both native speakers and people who come from another language. It is popular with non-native English speaking members of the multicultural professional workforce, as well as native speakers who for one reason or another missed out on grammar and writing skills in their earlier studies and now need to reach a higher standard for work or further education.

Prerequisites

This course is suitable for people with a basic competence in English who wish to increase their skills in standard writing. 

Desirable level for people who come from another language: Cambridge B1 or IELTS (score of 5 to 5.4).

Delivery style

Delivered as a series of weekly lectures combined with interactive learning, including a course booklet with exercises and use of the web.

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught training.

Materials

• Digital course booklet 
• In-class group activities 
• Exercises distributed electronically

Recommended reading

• Woods, G 2010, Grammar Essentials for Dummies, Wiley Publishing 
• Murphy, R 2019, English Grammar in Use, Cambridge