Academic Writing Workshop

Level: B2/C1

Dates: Fridays, 21.03., 28.03., 04.04.25, 2:45 PM - 5:45 PM (online course via Zoom)

Lecturer: Kimberly Oppenheim

Topics:

• This academic writing course is designed to support scholars who are in the process of completing a PhD thesis in English. The focus of the workshop will be the work-in-progress of each individual student—whether that is perfecting a difficult chapter, preparing a journal article for publication, or contemplating a paper for an upcoming conference.
• The course will pay particular attention to structure, word choice, punctuation, and style. We will also look at common mistakes, as well as tips for improving your academic writing skills. Activities are based on a variety of materials and exercises prepared by the tutor. Students can also submit several pages of work over the course of the sessions to be proofread.

Registration by March 18, 2025

Academic Writing

Level: B2/C1

 Dates: Fridays, 04.04., 23.05., 04.07., 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

VMP 5, Room 2024

Lecturer: Arnold Borsutzky

Topics:

• This course is aimed at doctoral students and postdocs who want to improve their academic writing and work specifically on an article, which will then be corrected by the course coordinator. The group will meet three times in the semester, twice during the semester for a three-hour writing workshop and again in the last week of the semester, via Zoom, to discuss the submitted work and to address the most common mistakes. The coordinator will be available throughout the course via email to deal with any language issues while writing the paper.

 
Registration by April 01, 2025

Presentation Skills

Level: B2/C1

Dates: Fridays, 11.04., 25.04., 09.05., 16.05., 30.05., 06.06., 13.06., 20.06., 27.06., 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

VMP 5, Room 2045

Lecturer: Kimberly Oppenheim

Topics:

• The aim of this course is to provide the opportunity for PhD students and post docs to practice presenting their work in English. The course will help participants gain the confidence to hold presentations at international conferences, present their results a department meetings, defend their dissertation, or even teach courses in English. The focus of the course will be on presenting your ideas clearly and concisely, while working on tone, body language and general delivery. Additionally, we will work with the language for presentations, with an emphasis placed on stating your purpose, signposting and describing visuals. The use of rhetorical devices such as repetition and alliteration will also be addressed. Each participant will receive both peer and instructor feedback on organisation and structure, grammar, pronunciation and vocabulary.

Registration by April 04, 2025

Level B2

Date: Tuesdays, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from April 15, 2025 (online event)

Lecturer: Orla Mac Mahon

Topics:

• The language of telephoning
• Writing emails and letters
• Intercultural differences
• Providing information on the faculty/your area of work
• Presentation techniques
• International meetings with suppliers/universities etc.
• University-specific vocabulary

Level B2/C1

Date: Wednesdays 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from April 16, 2025 (online event)

Lecturer: Dr. Peter Witchalls

Topics:

• Writing stylistically correct official emails and letters
• Intercultural differences
• The language of telephoning
• University-specific vocabulary
• Providing information on the faculty/your area of work
• Presentation techniques
• International meetings
• FAQ
• etc.

Level C1+

 
Date: Thursdays, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM starting from April 17, 2025 (online event)

Lecturer: Dr. Peter James Witchalls

Topics:

• Presenting & Discussing in English with Confidence & Competence

Would you like to be able to both present and discuss more confidently in English?
In this course we will be demonstrating good presentation and debating practices through diverse voice, language and nonverbal training exercises. You will then have the opportunity to give a short talk on an academic topic that is important for your professional life after which we will launch into a dynamic discussion, with troubleshooting on the language used. You will become more fluent and proficient, understanding the underlying principles of good communication and have ample opportunity to discuss many topics connected to Universität Hamburg. Look forward to seeing you in class!

Compact course 1 level B2/C1: Developing speaking skills in a university context

 
Date: Wednesdays, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM; November 13, 2024 - December 18, 2024 (online event via Zoom)

Topics:

• This course focuses on improving oral expression in a university environment. Three main areas will be addressed: participating in international meetings, advising and giving feedback and socialising and networking at international conferences.
  In the course we will look at how to choose the appropriate language and tone and how to develop conversation techniques. The acquisition of essential vocabulary and phrases, necessary for each situation, will be an integral part of each session. The goal of this course is to enhance confidence and fluency in using English in daily university life.

 
Registration by September 27, 2024

Compact course 2 level B2/C1: Developing speaking and writing skills in a university context

Date: Wednesdays, 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM; January 8, 2025 - February 12, 2025 (online event via Zoom)

Topics:

• English is undoubtedly the lingua franca of academia, which means that developing the necessary skills for clear and concise written and oral communication have become essential. The primary focus of this course will be on telephone and email communication, including how to manage
  virtual meetings. Writing reports and meeting minutes will also be addressed, in particular the use of digital tools and how they can be best applied to lighten the workload.
  The course will examine the use of standard phrases, the difference between formal and informal styles and focus on how to communicate precisely, effectively and professionally in English.

 
Registration by September 27, 2024