Events
Upcoming Events
Friday 22nd November 13:00 - 14:00 GMT
Finding the right balance between ESAP and EGAP - our School-based approach
Kamil Stobiecki, University of Manchester. Click Zoom to join. Meeting ID: 839 0675 4493 Passcode: 511436
Abstract
At the University of Manchester, we are in the process of re-designing our in-sessional provision, moving from a more general (faculty-based) to a more specific (school-based) approach informed by Sloan and Porter's (2010) CEM Model. This has involved setting up committees and meeting various academics, many of whom have provided valuable input including interviews, student scripts, and recommendations of articles, as well as other texts for our new materials. So far, we have developed courses for three Schools within the Faculty of Humanities: School of Arts Languages and Cultures; School of Environment, Education and Development; School of Social Sciences. Although each of these Schools offers a relatively wide range of degree programmes (e.g. SoSS includes Law, Social Anthropology and Economics) and finding commonalities can be challenging, we feel that this is a suitable compromise, where a substantial number of students can benefit from the provision that is relevant to their needs. The presentation will be followed by a discussion about this approach, and there will also be opportunities for representatives of other centres to share how they position their in-sessional provision on the EGAP/ESAP scale, and the challenges associated with going ‘too far’ in either direction.
Kamil Stobiecki: Bio
Having arrived in the UK in 2008 as an international student, Kamil graduated from Aston University with an MA in Translation Studies. Following that, he began what was supposed to be a temporary career in teaching and worked at various HEIs before settling at the University of Manchester in 2011. At UoM he’s been teaching and developing materials, as well as assessments for various language and content-based courses including MA in Linguistics. He is currently the Faculty of Humanities Co-ordinator of Academic Success Programme, which is the university's in-sessional EAP provision.
Would you Like to Lead or Facilitate an Event?
In the spirit of professional academic practice, we would like to invite you to submit a proposal for an event such as a webinar or talk. Perhaps you would like to share your knowledge and experience of an in-sessional context. To host an event please complete THIS FORM
Past Events
Abstract
Evidence shows that international PGTs often struggle to match expectations and experiences in academic socialisation and success, resulting in them feeling marginalised and lacking the academic literacy to study at a UK university (Mittelmeier et al, 2002). My experience of delivering in-sessional provision at the University of Leeds highlights these barriers, as does data from a three-year research project I am currently undertaking. This webinar shares the findings of the project, which supports international PGTs in stepping up to make the most of their time at the University academically and standing out as valued members of the University community. Participants will learn what constitutes effective academic support, what is most needed and when, from the perspective of international PGTs.
Bio
Alison Leslie is a Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes at the University of Leeds and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. She leads the in-sessional provision for the School of Sociology and Social Policy. Her research interests include inclusive and global education and she is currently collaborating on a Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence project on student education.
29th February 2024 Meet the Authors of A Guide to In-Sessional English for Academic Purposes
Neil Tibbets and Tim Chapman discuss their published book, A Guide to In-Sessional English for Academic Purposes' and consider how this area is so often occluded. Their focus is on the logistics and contexts in which provision is developed as well as the impact and implications of in-sessional practices on universities, EAP, and EAP practitioners.
Watch here:
Q&A Meet the Authors of A Guide to In-Sessional English for Academic Purposes
In-Sessional SIG AGM
For those of you who were able to attend our In-sessional SIG event on 29th February 2024 with Neil and Tim, we hope you enjoyed the event. We would love to hear how you found it, so if you haven’t done so already, please click here to leave feedback. On the feedback form, you can also indicate interest in presenting at one of our events.
15th November 2023 What Makes In-Sessional In-Sessional?
At the inaugural event of the BALEAP In-sessional SIG, we discussed the question ‘What makes In-sessional In-sessional?’, discussing areas such as pedagogies and practices, EAP theory and practice, in-sessional set-up in different institutions and the differences between in-sessional and other forms of EAP. This was followed by a discussion on the nature, purpose and direction of the SIG.