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Advanced English Skills for Higher Education Professionals

MINIMUM ENGLISH LEVEL
B1 on the CEFR (Intermediate)
DURATIONI
1 Week
TIMETABLE
20 Lessons Per Week
COURSE DATES
Key Start Dates
DURATIONI
In Person
Fees
€525.00
Key Start Dates 2024 : 07th April, 05th May, 12th May, 02nd June, 16th June, 07th July, 21st July, 04th August, 18th August, 01st September, 15th September, 06th October, 20th October, 10th November, 17th November

Advanced English Skills for Higher Education Professionals

This course is ideal for higher education professionals in a variety of roles from auxiliary staff and administrative staff to early-career lecturers and researchers, with a special focus on the functional language necessary for effective and impactful communication with multiple key stakeholders in an academic setting.

OID Number EI0070121

What will I study?

Day 1: Functional Language in the Workplace

  • Identifying communicative situations in the workplace, e.g. dealing with student or institutional partner queries and/or feedback.
  • Comparing and contrasting interactional and transactional communicative purposes, e.g.: making small talk in an academic setting vs demanding and offering specific information.
  • Matching communicative situations with the appropriate language functions.
  • Language aspects considered:
  1. - Classifying language functions, e.g. expressing degrees of (dis)agreement or (dis)satisfaction

Day 2: A Structured Approach to Communicative Success

  • Determining a text’s purpose and structure.
  • Inferring intent and profiling the target audience.
  • Evaluating communicative success and formal accuracy.
  • Language aspects considered:
  1. - Signposting and sequencing, e.g. organising events by time frames.

Day 3: Stance and Perspective

  • Recognising the difference between fact and opinion to assess how evidence is presented to support an argument.
  • Exploring academic tone and stylistic nuances.
  • Demonstrating cultural awareness while considering both the national culture and the company culture, e.g. when drafting an invitation to an international event.
  • Language aspects considered:
  1. - Using persuasive and emphasizing communicative strategies.

Day 4: Adapting Language in Context

  • Effective note-taking during meetings and based on reading texts from one’s specialised field of knowledge, including making annotations on graphs or charts.
  • Expanding notes into a written text or an oral presentation.
  • Paraphrasing a text to emphasize different elements, e.g. from the active voice into the passive voice to focus on the result rather than the agent.
  1. - Language aspects considered: Reported speech

Day 5: Conflict Management Workshop

  • This final-day workshop will provide participants with a holistic and practical toolkit to effectively manage conflict in the workplace, identifying diverging stakes and/or perspectives to reach a compromise by setting new goals that facilitate the transition from the comfort zone to the growth zone.
  • Dramatising real-life scenarios of conflict in a higher education setting in pairs and developing a strategy to respond appropriately both orally and in writing.
  • Individual feedback focusing on style, register, and overall communicative effectiveness.
  • Course conclusion with tips for continuous stylistic and register development.

Our Academic team would be delighted to assist you with any questions or support for a specific requirement you may wish to add on the programme.

 

Materials provided: All photocopies/handouts and powerpoint presentations provided

Minimum Level of English: B1 on the CEFR (Intermediate)

Delivery: In person at Dorset College.

Cultural Programme: The social activities recommended for each day are optional and will be updated one week before the start of the training.  The programme details will be provided on receipt of application.

Accommodation Options: We have a number of options that participants can choose from. You can book your own accommodation or apply for Dorset College accommodation at enquiry stage. We offer student apartments or a host family. Accommodation prices are available upon request.

Aims & Objectives

The course enables participants to improve their communication skills in both oral and written contexts so that they are more capable of effectively building rapport, demanding and offering information, as well as managing conflicts in an international professional setting.

  • To navigate communicative situations in the workplace confidently and effectively
  • To identify the purpose, structure, tone, and perspective of an oral or written text
  • To manage conflicts in a professional setting while accounting for the different needs and perspectives of multiple stakeholders

Learning Outcomes

This course provides a professional development opportunity for participants which aims to enhance their transversal skills, particularly intercultural and language competences, critical thinking, and media literacy. Through inbuilt dissemination activities, participants will share knowledge and skills acquired with their colleagues. The opportunity to experience new cultural contexts and network with international colleagues is a further positive outcome.

Sample Timetable

Saturday
Arrival
Sunday
Full-Day Tour
Monday
9:00 - 12:15
Functional Language in the Workplace
13:30
Dublin Walking Tour
Tuesday
9:00 - 12:15
A Structured Approach to Communicative Success
13:30 - 15:30
Coffee and Conversation!
Wednesday
9:00 - 12:15
Stance and Perspective
Thursday
9:00 - 12:15
Adapting Language in Context

20:00

Pub Night
Friday
9:00 - 12:15
Conflict Management Workshop

Assessment & Awards

STT Invitation, Certificate of Completion, Europass, Work Plan (On Request)

More Information

What is ERASMUS+?

Erasmus+ is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe for the period 2021-2027. It plays a significant role in promoting European mobility, fostering innovation, and enhancing the quality of education and training in Europe.

The general objective of the Programme is to support, through lifelong learning, the educational, professional and personal development of people in education, training, youth and sport, in Europe and beyond thereby contributing to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion, to driving innovation, and to strengthening European identity and active citizenship.

Who can participate in an Erasmus+ Programme?

All education sector staff are eligible to apply for Erasmus+ funding that will allow them to take part in training programmes or collaborative projects as part of the Erasmus+ Key Action 2 programme

  • Higher Education
  • Vocational Education and Training
  • Secondary and Primary Education
  • Adult Learners
  • Youth organisations
  • Sport

Erasmus+ grants are available to all staff in these sectors for courses and opportunities abroad.

Teachers, academic staff, researchers and administrative support staff can apply for Higher Education training programmes offered by Dorset College.   Courses are also available to Adult Education Colleges, Secondary, Primary and Vocational Schools, for principals, teachers and support staff.

These courses will develop your personal and professional skills and enable you to gain a deeper understanding of your field of study or professional interest.

What can I expect from the course?

Higher Education academic and administrative staff will experience engaging language classes, developing communication and presentation skills, teaching strategies and English language fluency.  It will provide opportunities for both personal and professional development.

  • A team of Native English Language or Business Teachers with extensive experience in their respective fields.
  • Develop your personal and professional skills and gain a deeper understanding of your field of study or professional interest.
  • Experience Irish culture and enjoy the varied range of social activities.
  • Connect with fellow students, professionals, and experts in your field, fostering collaborations and future opportunities.

How does the Erasmus+ work?

The Erasmus+ programme provides grants to institutions and individuals to facilitate participation in training courses, exchanges and cross-country projects. Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, vocational, secondary and primary schools can apply for grants as institutions, and staff will then be invited to apply to take part in individual training programmes or to participate in project-based activities.

If you would like to apply for an Erasmus+ grant for staff training, please contact your institution’s Erasmus+ Co-ordinator for more information.

If you would like to take part in one of Dorset College’s Erasmus+ courses, please fill in the registration form for Registration Form.   We will then send the Invitation Letter, information for the mobility agreement and the preliminary training plan.  This letter may be required when applying to your institution for funding.

Your institution may ask you for the Mobility Agreement that is signed by both the sending and receiving institution, and the signatures for both the Erasmus+ co-ordinator and Dorset College Executive – you may send the Mobility agreement for signature to; [email protected].

The course profile including the learning objectives are available on each course page on this Website.

Eligible countries for Erasmus+ Funding

All EU Member States are eligible to participate fully in the Erasmus+ Programme.

In addition, the following third countries are associated to the programme:

  • Members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are members of the European Economic Area (EEA): Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein;
  • Acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates: Republic of North Macedonia, Republic of Türkiye and Republic of Serbia.

The EU Member States and the above mentioned third countries associated to the programme will be hereafter called “EU Member States and third countries associated to the Programme”.

Click here for full details of eligible countries.

What is Erasmus+ KA1 and KA2?

Erasmus+ Key Action 1 or KA1 refers to actions which support the Learning Mobility of Individuals.  It provides a fantastic opportunity for individuals, allowing you to take international training abroad, in many European countries.

This action also supports higher education teaching and administrative staff to take part in professional development activities abroad as well as staff from the world of work to teach and train students or staff at higher education institutions. These activities may consist of teaching as well as training periods (such as job shadowing, observation periods, training courses).

Furthermore, this action supports blended intensive programmes, allowing for groups of higher education institutions to jointly develop blended mobility curricula and activities for students as well as academic and administrative staff.

The field of Education and Training:

  • Mobility projects for higher education students and staff
  • Mobility projects for Vocational learners and staff
  • Mobility projects for school pupils and staff
  • Mobility projects for adult education learners and staff

This actions supports organisations active in the fields of education, training and youth and will receive support from the Erasmus+ Programme to carry out projects promoting different types of mobility. More information HERE

Key Action 2 or KA2

Erasmus+ Key Action 2 or KA2 refers to actions based on cooperation among organisations and institutions.  This action enables participating organisations to gain experience in international cooperation and to strengthen their capacities, but also to produce high-quality innovative deliverables. The qualitative assessment of these projects will be proportional to the objectives of the cooperation and the nature of the organisations involved

The Actions supported under this Key Action are expected to contribute significantly to the priorities of the programme, to bring positive and long-lasting effects on the participating organisations, on the policy systems in which such Actions are framed as well as on the organisations and persons directly or indirectly involved in the organised activities.

This Key Action is expected to result in the development, transfer and/or implementation of innovative practices at organisational, local, regional, national or European levels.

Depending on the field addressed and the type of applicant, these actions are managed either by the National Agencies or by the European Education, Audio-visual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). All details about who can apply and where to apply are specified in the sections below. More information HERE

Erasmus+ Eligible for Funding at Dorset College

Dorset College provides a number of English Language and Business Courses over a 5-day training period (excluding travel).  These programmes are designed for higher Education teachers and Administrative staff, who are interested in travelling for a programme or partner country as part of the Erasmus+ programme.

You can apply for funding for an Erasmus+ course through your organisation.  Your institution may ask you for the Mobility Agreement that is signed by both the sending (your organisation) and receiving institution, (i.e. Dorset College) and the signatures for both the Erasmus+ co-ordinator and school, university or organisation.

The Mobility Agreement outlines your learning goals, rights and responsibilities.

Dorset College unique ID is:  EI0070121

  • A unique code (OID) is required to take part in Erasmus+ programmes and projects.
  • It also means that funding is only available to authentic organisations.
  • Go to European Commission website to find out more about OID’s.

How can Dorset College help you with your Application?

How can Dorset College help you with your Application?

After receiving your application, you will be contacted shortly thereafter by the Dorset College team. You will also receive the programme details and all information you need for the mobility agreement as well as your stay in Dublin.

As soon as we receive the mobility agreement signed, an invoice is generated with the training (or course) fee. Once the payment is completed the registration is finalised. It is very simple and Dorset team is ready to guide you until the end of your application.

How much is an Erasmus+ grant?

Erasmus+ grants provide a contribution to your costs for travel, subsistence and training and the amount will vary depending on:

  • The receiving country (the country to which you are travelling)
  • The level of demand from staff from your country who intend to train abroad
  • The distance between your country and the receiving country
  • The availability of other financial sources in your country or region

Please ask your Erasmus+ coordinator in your organisation, institute or school for information about the grant provided in your region.
If you need more information about the costs of Dorset College courses, please find our Price List on each course page.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

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