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Pamela Bogart
Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees.
Read more
Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees.
Read more
Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees.
Alongside advancing your English skills, get the chance to hear from international students who have attended graduate school in the United States as they explain how they adapted to campus life, utilized resources, and fostered community on their new campus. Throughout the course, learners from across the world can connect with other students to dive deeper into course topics, discuss perspectives, and network.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/5kmo0q/preparing
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What's inside
Syllabus
Week 1: English for Getting Acquainted
Welcome to the first week of our course! Each week, we'll give you a brief overview of what's ahead, which we like to call "This week in a nutshell" - a short summary of the content you can expect, just like the content that fits into the shell of a nut. During this week, we have five lessons lined up for you. First, we'll introduce the course and what it has to offer. Then, we will guide you in crafting a professional self-introduction. Moving on to the third and fourth lesson, you'll gain insights about the differences between undergraduate and graduate study, and select a "target institution" to explore throughout this course. Lastly, a brief graded quiz will help you review what you've learned in this entire week.
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Syllabus
Week 1: English for Getting Acquainted
Welcome to the first week of our course! Each week, we'll give you a brief overview of what's ahead, which we like to call "This week in a nutshell" - a short summary of the content you can expect, just like the content that fits into the shell of a nut. During this week, we have five lessons lined up for you. First, we'll introduce the course and what it has to offer. Then, we will guide you in crafting a professional self-introduction. Moving on to the third and fourth lesson, you'll gain insights about the differences between undergraduate and graduate study, and select a "target institution" to explore throughout this course. Lastly, a brief graded quiz will help you review what you've learned in this entire week.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores graduate school application and study in the U.S., which aligns with the core audience of international students preparing for graduate school in the United States
Taught by Pamela Bogart, which adds credibility to the course's content and delivery
Develops skills in professional communication, collaboration, and academic success strategies, which are essential for graduate school success
Includes guest perspectives from international students who have attended graduate school in the United States, providing valuable insights and practical advice
Offers opportunities for learners to connect and network with other international students, fostering a sense of community and support
Uses a multi-modal approach with videos, readings, discussions, and interactive activities, catering to various learning styles
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Reviews summary
Practical guide for us grad study
According to learners, this course is a highly practical guide for international students preparing for U.S. graduate study. Students found the focus on academic and professional communication skills particularly helpful, praising lessons on topics like the elevator pitch and research conventions. A frequently highlighted positive aspect was hearing insights and experiences from current international students, which many found relatable and valuable. While the course provides a solid foundation and covers essential ground, some reviewers felt the content was too basic or surface-level if they had already done prior research, suggesting it's best suited for those new to the process. Overall, it's seen as a great starting point for navigating the complexities of U.S. graduate programs and campus life.
Features valuable perspectives from current students.
"I loved hearing the perspectives of current international students."
"Hearing from students was a nice touch."
"Hearing from real students' experiences made it relatable."
"The insights from current students were gold."
Enhances English for academic and professional settings.
"The lessons on academic communication and cultural differences were particularly valuable."
"The focus on research communication and team collaboration was very relevant."
"equips you with essential skills, especially in communication."
"The communication skills part was okay, but I was hoping for more in-depth strategies..."
Offers practical guidance for navigating US grad school.
"This course was extremely helpful for me as I prepare to apply for graduate school in the U.S."
"A solid introduction to the challenges international students face."
"Covered exactly what I needed to know about navigating the academic and social environment."
"A helpful course for getting started."
May be introductory for some learners.
"Some parts felt a little introductory..."
"Some of the content seemed quite obvious if you've already researched U.S. universities a bit."
"Honestly, I expected more depth. Much of the information feels surface-level."
"Might be better for absolute beginners."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students with these
activities:
Review Undergraduate Course Materials
Show steps
Reinforce the foundational knowledge acquired during your undergraduate studies to ensure a strong knowledge base for graduate-level coursework.
Browse courses on
Calculus
Show steps
-
Identify the key concepts and topics covered in relevant undergraduate courses.
-
Review your notes, textbooks, and other study materials from those courses.
-
Complete practice questions or exercises to test your understanding.
Explore Online Resources for English Language Learning
Show steps
Supplement your learning by accessing a wide range of online resources to enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills.
Show steps
-
Identify reputable websites or platforms that offer free English language lessons.
-
Select courses or tutorials that align with your specific areas of improvement.
-
Consistently complete the lessons and assignments provided.
-
Utilize online forums or discussion boards to connect with other learners and native speakers.
Practice Common English Phrases
Show steps
Strengthen your fluency and enhance your confidence in using common English phrases in academic settings.
Show steps
-
Identify a list of essential English phrases for academic writing and speaking.
-
Practice using these phrases in context through exercises and mock dialogues.
-
Record yourself speaking the phrases and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Language Exchange Group
Show steps
Immerse yourself in a conversational environment with native English speakers to improve your fluency and pronunciation.
Show steps
-
Find a language exchange group or partner who is a native English speaker.
-
Schedule regular meetings to practice speaking and listening to English.
-
Prepare conversation topics or scenarios to facilitate discussions.
Participate in a Writing Workshop
Show steps
Receive feedback on your writing from peers and instructors to refine your writing skills and improve the quality of your academic writing.
Show steps
-
Join a writing workshop or identify a group of peers interested in providing feedback.
-
Submit a draft of your writing for review and critique.
-
Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and feedback sessions.
-
Incorporate the feedback into your writing and make necessary revisions.
Read a Book on Academic Writing in English
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of academic writing conventions, organization, and styles to enhance your written communication skills.
Show steps
-
Purchase or borrow the book.
-
Allocate specific time slots for reading and studying the chapters.
-
Take notes, highlight key concepts, and complete any exercises provided in the book.
Develop a Presentation on a Research Topic
Show steps
Enhance your research and presentation skills by choosing a topic related to your field of study and presenting it in a clear and engaging manner.
Show steps
-
Select a research topic that interests you and aligns with your graduate program.
-
Conduct thorough research using academic sources and credible websites.
-
Organize your findings into a logical and coherent structure.
-
Create visual aids, such as slides or handouts, to support your presentation.
-
Practice delivering your presentation to receive feedback and make necessary improvements.
Review Undergraduate Course Materials
Show steps
Reinforce the foundational knowledge acquired during your undergraduate studies to ensure a strong knowledge base for graduate-level coursework.
Browse courses on
Calculus
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the key concepts and topics covered in relevant undergraduate courses.
- Review your notes, textbooks, and other study materials from those courses.
- Complete practice questions or exercises to test your understanding.
Explore Online Resources for English Language Learning
Show steps
Supplement your learning by accessing a wide range of online resources to enhance your grammar, vocabulary, and listening skills.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable websites or platforms that offer free English language lessons.
- Select courses or tutorials that align with your specific areas of improvement.
- Consistently complete the lessons and assignments provided.
- Utilize online forums or discussion boards to connect with other learners and native speakers.
Practice Common English Phrases
Show steps
Strengthen your fluency and enhance your confidence in using common English phrases in academic settings.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a list of essential English phrases for academic writing and speaking.
- Practice using these phrases in context through exercises and mock dialogues.
- Record yourself speaking the phrases and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a Language Exchange Group
Show steps
Immerse yourself in a conversational environment with native English speakers to improve your fluency and pronunciation.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find a language exchange group or partner who is a native English speaker.
- Schedule regular meetings to practice speaking and listening to English.
- Prepare conversation topics or scenarios to facilitate discussions.
Participate in a Writing Workshop
Show steps
Receive feedback on your writing from peers and instructors to refine your writing skills and improve the quality of your academic writing.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join a writing workshop or identify a group of peers interested in providing feedback.
- Submit a draft of your writing for review and critique.
- Attend the workshop and actively participate in discussions and feedback sessions.
- Incorporate the feedback into your writing and make necessary revisions.
Read a Book on Academic Writing in English
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of academic writing conventions, organization, and styles to enhance your written communication skills.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Purchase or borrow the book.
- Allocate specific time slots for reading and studying the chapters.
- Take notes, highlight key concepts, and complete any exercises provided in the book.
Develop a Presentation on a Research Topic
Show steps
Enhance your research and presentation skills by choosing a topic related to your field of study and presenting it in a clear and engaging manner.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Select a research topic that interests you and aligns with your graduate program.
- Conduct thorough research using academic sources and credible websites.
- Organize your findings into a logical and coherent structure.
- Create visual aids, such as slides or handouts, to support your presentation.
- Practice delivering your presentation to receive feedback and make necessary improvements.
Career center
Learners who complete Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Program Manager
Program Manager
For those working as a Program Manager, they will likely be involved in advanced research, academic papers and other published work. To be successful in this career field, you must be knowledgeable about research and scholarship, and the masters program will provide the necessary tools to succeed.
Data Scientist
Data Scientist
As a Data Scientist, research and scholarship will be a crucial aspect of the work you complete. Knowing the conventions around engaging with published scholarly writing will help you produce top-notch work, and the masters will provide the tools to achieve this.
Research Assistant
Research Assistant
Research Assistants who wish to progress their career will find value in the program's focus on research and scholarship. The program offers training in collaboration with faculty, as well as how to engage with published scholarly writing.
Technical Writer
Technical Writer
This program will be helpful for a Technical Writer to improve their professional communication skills. The focus on English for Getting Acquainted and English for Introducing Yourself Professionally will provide a strong foundation for this career.
Archivist
Archivist
This program will be helpful for Archivists who want to advance their knowledge and skillset in the fields of research and scholarship, in addition to professional communication.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists who wish to move into a field that requires more technical writing or advanced research will find this program particularly applicable. The masters program will build a foundation in research and scholarship, as well as campus life and professional networking.
Academic Advisor
Academic Advisor
For the career of an Academic Advisor, this course will be helpful for learning about university resources, building a supportive community, and practicing group leadership skills. In particular, the course's focus on campus life will be an advantage for this career.
Educational Consultant
Educational Consultant
As an Educational Consultant, you may be required to lead teams of people to complete certain tasks. Taking this course will provide the foundation for successful team leadership as it relates to group responsibilities and collaboration.
Community Outreach Specialist
Community Outreach Specialist
The Community Outreach Specialist who wants to advance their career may find benefit in this program, especially in the aspect of fostering community on campus. The program will teach strategies for building a supportive community.
English Language Teacher
English Language Teacher
An English Language Teacher may find value in this program if they wish to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus for the course.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designer
This program may be useful for Instructional Designers who want to learn more about English for Interactive Learning & Teamwork. The course focuses on different roles within groups, negotiation of responsibilities, and collaboration opportunities.
Museum Educator
Museum Educator
The Museum Educator who wishes to take the next step in their career may find this program helpful. Particularly, the module on English in Campus Life will be a valuable resource for fostering a supportive community among museum patrons.
Grant Writer
Grant Writer
The Grant Writer who wishes to take the next step in their career may find this program helpful. Particularly, the module on English for Research and Scholarship will be a valuable resource for writing persuasive and compelling grant proposals.
Librarian
Librarian
This program may be useful for Librarians who want to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus.
Curator
Curator
This program may be useful for Curators who want to learn more about cross-cultural communication, as highlighted in the syllabus.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/5kmo0q/preparing
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.: A course for international students.
A comprehensive guide to academic writing, providing practical advice and examples to help students develop effective communication skills necessary for graduate-level research and publications, aligning with the course's focus on academic success.
A specialized vocabulary builder designed for advanced learners, providing a comprehensive collection of academic terms and phrases commonly encountered in graduate-level studies, aligning with the course's objective to enhance English communication skills.
Save
A comprehensive guide to style, usage, and grammar, widely used in the social sciences, history, and other fields, providing a valuable reference for academic writing.
Save
A concise and portable reference guide for academic writing, providing essential information on style, grammar, and usage, complementing the course's focus on professional communication.
An annual publication providing comprehensive profiles of colleges and universities in the United States, including information on programs, faculty, and campus life, useful for research and comparison.
Save
The authoritative guide to MLA style, providing comprehensive guidelines for formatting, citations, and documentation, essential for academic writing in the humanities.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/5kmo0q/preparing
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Rating
4.3
Effort
Approx. 16 hours
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Michigan
Instructor
Pamela Bogart
Language
English
Transcripts
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