This 10-part academic skills (writing and speaking) course is designed for PGR international students or students with English as an Additional Language (EAL). The course aims to help you gain/refresh foundational knowledge of effective writing on a sentence and paragraph level in order to create coherent texts. You will also learn strategies for expanding your vocabulary, using sources effectively in writing, and proofreading your work. Finally, the course will also allow you to practice presentation skills to gain confidence in presenting research. This course will provide the foundations for accurate and appropriate written and spoken communication of your doctoral research.

You will need to attend all 10 sessions on this course, so places are limited. Please do not book onto it if you cannot commit to the whole course.

King's postgraduate research students and postdoctoral research staff can access and book places on the CDS training courses through our online system SkillsForge (King's log in credentials required). For guidance about course bookings, see our how to access our courses webpage.

The following topics will be covered in this 10-part course:

1. Critical Reading. Aim: to become equipped with strategies for active critical reading.
2. Academic Style. Aim: to become familiar with and practice rules of appropriate academic style and register.
3. Building an Active Vocabulary. Aim: to become equipped with strategies for developing active vocabulary.
4. Clauses 1. Aim: to be better able to share ideas clearly in complex sentences.
5. Clauses 2. Aim: to be better able to share ideas clearly in complex sentences.
6. Punctuation. Aim: to become familiar with punctuation rules and avoid common mistakes.
7. Academic Writing: Textual Organisation and Cohesion. Aim: to become familiar with principles for text organisation, and cohesion and coherence.
8. Academic Writing: Paraphrasing and Summary. Aim: to learn strategies for and practice effective paraphrasing and summarising strategies.
9. Proofreading Skills. Aim: to learn strategies for effective proofreading and editing of your thesis
10. Confidence in Speaking. Aim: to practice effective communication skills of research