About

  • ESL Mini-Courses are free, non-credit classes offered by the Writing Center and taught by ESL Specialists.
  • Space is limited. Priority is given to current UNC students and postdocs. Others will be wait-listed until space is available. Please email Dr. Gigi Taylor to check your eligibility.
  • Unfortunately, these courses are not available to spouses, community members, or non-academic staff. Please see this page for other ESL opportunities.
  • A certificate of completion may be awarded to students who participate fully in a course if requested. There are no grades for these courses, and they will not appear on any UNC transcripts.

Spring 2013 Advanced English Mini-Courses

These five and six-week classes are appropriate for those who have active writing and research presentation projects at this time. Participants may register for one or both courses in the program. Registration is required.

Research Writing

UNC Writing Center, Lower Level SASB North
Section 1: Mondays 3-5, January 28 – March 4  (This section is full.)
Section 2: Tuesdays 1-3, January 29 – March 5 (This section is full.)
Section 3: Wednesdays 1-3, March 20 – April 24 (This section is full.)
Section 4: Thursdays 1-3, March 21 – April 25 (This section is full.)

This is a six-week course in essential skills for research writing, including all graduate writing, theses, dissertations, and upper-class undergraduate writing. The course will focus on the grammar and organization of technical definitions, data commentary, and analysis, as well as using sources appropriately and avoiding plagiarism. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have priority registration. Visiting scholars will be able to join the course if space is available.

All sections are full, but look for more offerings in Maymester and Summer.

Research Presentation Skills

UNC Writing Center, Lower Level SASB North
Section 1: Wednesdays 1-3, February 6 – March 6 (This section is full.)
Section 2: Thursdays 1-3, February 7 – March 7 (This section is closed.)
Section 3: Mondays 3-5, March 25 – April 22 (This section is full.)
Section 4: Tuesdays 1-3, March 26 – April 23 (This section is full.)

This five-week course will help non-native English speaking scholars prepare a presentation of their research for a conference, a class, or other presentation occasion. The course will focus on the language of effective presentations, with tips for engaging the audience, for keeping their attention, for managing questions and discussion periods, and general pronunciation feedback. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have priority registration. Visiting scholars will be able to join the course if space is available.

All sections are full, but look for more offerings in Maymester and Summer.