Week 1: Getting Acquainted
In this first week together, we will begin getting to know one another, not just in writing, but by video too. We will also start getting to know a variety of graduate programs in the U.S., as we will each select a “target” graduate program at a U.S. college or university to use as a case study throughout the course. We will offer examples from our institution, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, where this course was created.
- Introducing Yourself
- Meet Your Course Instructor
- Introducing Your Target Institution
- Review Example Introduction to Michigan (From U-M Rackham Graduate School)
- Graduate Student Identity
- Reflection: Walking in new shoes (From U-M School of Information)
- Getting Ready for Graduate School (From the U-M Rackham Graduate School)
- Course Syllabus
- Community Guidelines for Participation
- Help us learn more about you!
Week 2: Introducing Yourself Professionally
Upon arrival on campus, we’ll all have the opportunity to introduce ourselves and our graduate work over and over again. To become well-prepared to seize these opportunities for building solid relationships on our new campuses, we’ll focus this week on developing an “elevator pitch” or short introduction to who we are, what we are studying, and why.
- What is an Elevator Pitch?
- Language for the Elevator Pitch
- Expanding Your Speaking Vocabulary
- Introduction to MICASE Transcribed Real Speaking Situations
- Introduction to Vocabulary.com to Generate Personalized Lists and Quizzes
- Our First and Second Language Selves
- Verbs to Describe Your Experience
- Language for Introducing Yourself Professionally
- Reflect on Your Elevator Pitch
Week 3: English for Interactive Learning & Teamwork
This week focuses on the many ways in which graduate students work together and with faculty in groups and teams. We’ll look at the value of diverse group composition. We will explore language used to negotiate roles and prevent misunderstandings in collaborative settings.
- Interaction & Teamwork Overview
- How Diverse Groups Can Positively Impact Learning
- Tips to Promote Mutual Understanding in Groups
- Language for Negotiating One’s Group Tasks (Part 1)
- Language for Negotiating One’s Group Tasks (Part 2)
- Strategies for Negotiating One’s Group
Week 4: English for Research & Scholarship
Of course the primary reason to pursue graduate studies is to learn about and participate in research and scholarship in your field. This week, we’ll be looking at framing our own expertise, collaborating with faculty, and conventions around engaging with published scholarly writing.
- Joining an Academic Discipline
- Munger Graduate Residences (From U-M Housing)
- Introducing Your Research (From U-M Engineering)
- Communicating and Collaborating with Faculty
- Ownership & Sharing of Scholarship
- Using the MICUSP Corpus to Explore Language Use, Organization, and Citations in Academic Writing
- Using the MICUSP Corpus to Explore Language Use, Organization, and Citations in Academic Writing
Week 5: English in Campus Life
In this last week of our course together, we’ll turn our attention to the transition to graduate student life on a new campus. We’ll identify ways to connect with individuals and groups, and to foster a supportive community around us. We’ll cap off the course with a “final draft” version of everyone’s elevator pitches.
- Getting Connected
- Advice from Experienced Graduate Students (From U-M Rackham Graduate School)
- Exploration: Work-life Balance (From U-M Rackham Graduate School)
- Post-course Survey
- Final reflection: Using Your Elevator Pitch in Your Target Institution
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