Speaking and academic vocabulary
Having your say
Many new students to university are concerned about how they can participate in tutorials and seminars. If you have not experienced these types of discussion classes before, you may be unsure about what to expect.
Discussion could mean talking with other students about group assignments, participating in classes and giving formal presentations.
Below is a range of resources which will give you some strategies to speak out when you need to.
Resources by topic
Speaking at university
- Participating in tutorials and seminars (DOC 47KB) - Understand what is expected of you during a tutorial or seminar. Some hints for how to participate more fully in these types of classes
- Preparing for an oral presentation (DOC 68KB) - Things to consider when preparing a formal talk, including do’s and don’ts, managing your nerves, and dealing with question time.
- Speaking for ESL students - This resource offers strategies to students who have English as a second language (ESL) who would like to speak more clearly.
- Pronunciation for ESL students - This resource covers pronunciation issues for students who have English as a second language (ESL).
Academic vocabulary
- Irregular plural nouns (DOC 27KB) - Some irregular plural nouns used in scientific writing.
- A guide to numbers, illustrations and measurements in scientific writing (DOC 70KB) - Includes information about numbers, times, units and measures, graphs, tables, diagrams and other illustrations.
- Misused words: 'Few' or 'less' (DOC 30KB) - How to use these often misused words.
- One word or two? (DOC 48KB) - Common words and pairs of words that are sometimes used together, and sometimes used separately.
- Vocabulary for ESL students - Looks at: expanding your vocabulary, dictionaries, your own glossary/word list, academic word lists, other online vocabulary sites.
- Academic Phrasebank (from Manchester University) - This great resource gives you words you can use to make your work sound academic.
