ESOL: Develop your writing through grammar (advanced)
Time: 18:15 - 20:15
Location: Keeley Street
You need to do a pre-course assessment face-to-face or online. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / (telephone temporarily unavailable) or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
This course is FREE if a) you are on a Low Wage or b) you are either on Jobseekers' Allowance (JSA) or Employment & Support Allowance(ESA) or c) you want to get a job or progress into a better job and you receive other state benefits (including Universal Credit). For more information click here
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Course Code: ESWG01
Duration: 10 sessions (over 10 weeks)
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Center for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
On this course you will examine how texts are constructed and in particular how grammatical features change the meaning of a text and have certain impacts or effects on the reader. You will focus on how different grammatical forms can add authority, create emphasis, add drama, persuade, create detail and change the rhythm and pace of a piece of writing. The emphasis of this course is on how you can develop the meaning of what you write and read through the use of different grammatical features.
You will need to complete a pre-course assessment face-to-face or online. Contact (telephone temporarily unavailable)/universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk or click on Start Assessment.
What will we cover?
The course will focus on how grammatical features, such as noun-phrases, prepositional phrases, verb tenses, imperatives, pronouns, omissions of words, intensifiers, clauses, punctuation, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs, participles and modals, can:
• add authority
• engage the reader
• create emphasis
• add dramatic effect and tension
• persuade the reader of an argument or point of view
• structure an argument
• add extra information and detail
• create concision and clarity
• change the rhythm and pace
• create vivid imagery.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
identify and use grammatical features, such as noun-phrases, prepositional phrases, verb tenses, imperatives, pronouns, omissions of words, intensifiers, clauses, punctuation, conjunctions, adjectives, adverbs, participles and modals, to:
• add authority
• engage the reader
• create emphasis
• add dramatic effect and tension
• persuade the reader of an argument or point of view
• structure an argument
• add extra information and detail
• create concision and clarity
• change the rhythm and pace
• create vivid imagery.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for advanced ESOL learners (L2/C1) who want to improve their writing through understanding how and then using different forms of grammar to change meaning.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment. The tutor will help you discover rules and features of English. You will work on your own and with other students on different tasks so you are always practising important in-demand life and work skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, prioritising, negotiating, collaborating and independence. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can complete challenging tasks in enjoyable and relaxing ways. Your tutor will also work with you individually so you know how to improve and how to work in a way that improves your learning. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You will need a pen, A4 paper and a file to keep your work in. Your tutor will provide handouts and a code for Google classroom so you can communicate with classmates and access materials, videos etc. online.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
There are many courses you can do before, during or after this course. These include:
• English for professionals: C1 Advanced (Cambridge English Advanced, CAE)
• English for professionals: C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English: Proficiency, CPE )
• ESOL level 2 (speaking and listening) / (reading and writing)
• Advanced English writing skills: how to write creatively, expressively and clearly (level 2)
• Communication skills: read well, write well (level 1-level 2)
• English Communication Skills for professionals: finding the right word in business (advanced)
• Grammar in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• Writing skills in practice: upper intermediate (level 1-2)
• Grammar in practice: advanced (level 2+)
There also many maths, English, employability and communication skills courses you can do. Ask your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / (telephone temporarily unavailable) for more detail. These include:
• Business Administration (with digital skills): English communication skills for administrators and office workers (level 1-2)
• Business Administration (with digital skills): English communication skills in a business environment (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: how to make your writing clear, concise and organised (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: reading, analysing, and comparing data and text (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: effective verbal communication in the workplace (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: effective written communication in the workplace (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: business writing from memos to storytelling (level 2)
• Professional communication skills: creating a positive image from job hire to promotion
• Business communication skills: the principles of selling (an introduction)
• A mile in my shoes: how to tell a story (level 1-2)
• Develop your confidence in writing: sentence formation, grammar and punctuation in everyday writing (level 1-2).