Academic Skills Unit

Academic Skills Unit, Bendigo campus

The Academic Skills Unit (ASU) provides language and learning assistance to students in a range of areas including critical and analytical thinking, essay and report writing, reading strategies, and oral presentations. Assistance is also provided in English as a Second Language (ESL). For further enquiries or appointments ring 5444 7223 or email the Unit.

Services provided by the Academic Skills Unit include:

Unit title: "Academic Skills for Tertiary Study"

Unit code: ENG1ASA

This is an accredited unit which develops the students' language and learning skills. It is an interdisciplinary, one semester subject available in first or second semester. It counts for 15 credit points towards an undergraduate degree. Before enrolling, students should confirm with their Course Coordinator that the unit meets their course requirements.

Students learn how language works to make meaning in academic texts through essays, reports and oral presentations, the subject focuses on the process of analysis and critical understanding and how language choices are made to effectively communicate this understanding. Students will learn how to structure their written work and avoid plagiarism by utilising correct referencing techniques.

NOTE: This subject is also available to unenrolled prospective students for a fee.

Attendance requirements: 4 hours per week (1hr lecture, 1hr tutorial and 2hr workshop)

A credit bearing unit is also available for students who do not speak English as their first language (see ESL support).

Assessment: exercises, essays, oral presentations and an examination.

Essay Cover sheet and Declaration of Authenticity

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Individual assistance

Students can make an individual appointment to see a staff member or attend an Open Access session. This is a free service. Staff can assist by diagnosing specific problems or advising on ways to improve academic work - particularly written work. Session times for Open Access sessions or ring Student Support Services on 5444 7223 for an appointment. Back to top

Smart Skills program

This program has been designed to prepare mature age students for tertiary study at La Trobe University. Run prior to Orientation Week, the program aims to increase chances of success and includes sessions on:

• note-taking from lectures and written texts
• structure and language of academic essays
• critical thinking and analytical writing
• plagiarism and referencing
• using the library
• accessing the range of student services

Smart Skills program registration (PDF 88K). Back to top

Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) workshops

STAT is a series of tests used by tertiary institutions as part of their admissions procedures for special categories of applicants. The aim of the STAT is to test a prospective student's ability to understand, analyse and interpret material and to think critically about issues. The tests consist of multiple choice tests and may also require a written English test. Prospective students should check which tests are required for entry to the course they are considering carefully.

The Academic Skills Unit runs workshops prior to the STAT to prepare for multiple choice or written tests. Participants are taught how to analyse and understand written material, and manipulate information and solve problems for maths. Workshop detail and registration form (PDF 25k).

Orientation lecture series

During Orientation Week the Academic Skills Unit presents a series of lectures designed to provide new students with an insight into skills needed to succeed in an academic environment. Back to top

English as a Second Language (ESL) support

The Academic Skills Unit offers a number of services for ESL students requiring assistance with English language. As well as individual appointments, the Unit offers workshops on different aspects of English. In addition, there is a 15 point credit bearing subject available.

Unit title: "Academic Skills for Tertiary Study for English as a Second Language(ESL) "

Unit code: ENG1ASB

This unit helps students to learn to plan, research and write essays and reports and to make oral presentations. Students are taught how the grammar of English language works in academic texts at the sentence, paragraph and overall structural level. Students are also introduced to the cultural values behind such basic academic tasks as interpreting information, incorporating evidence and referencing as well as developing and sustaining an argument or thesis.

Attendance requirements: 4 hours per week ( 1hr lecture, 1hr tutorial and 2hr workshop)

Assessment: exercises, essays, oral presentations and an examination.

Special workshops

In the event that staff or students identify an issue of concern, the staff of the Academic Skills Unit will develop and deliver appropriate workshops to assist students. These may be run as independent sessions or may form part of an existing unit on campus. Back to top