English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate from Coursera

The English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate non-credit course is for students with a (minimum) high-intermediate level of English. This certificate course is designed to help domestic and international students develop the academic skills necessary for success in undergraduate studies at an American university while strengthening their English proficiency.

Ideally, prospective students have completed or are near completion of a high school diploma in their country and would like to come to the United States to study for a bachelor’s degree.

The total length of time required to complete the course is approximately 4 weeks. Students should expect to spend about 5-7 hours per week working with the materials and assignments.

The course is made up of 4 modules:

• Listening, Speaking, and Critical Thinking

• Writer’s Workshop

• Reading and Note-taking

• Capstone Project

Each module consists of video lessons, opportunities for practicing English and academic skills, interactive discussion boards with classmates, and graded activities. All courses are asynchronous, which means that the lessons and their activities can be completed at any time of day or night, provided that all course assignments are completed by the final day of class.

What's inside

Syllabus

Listening, Speaking and Critical Thinking

In this module, we will learn some skills necessary for listening to and speaking about academic topics at the undergraduate level.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops academic skills, which are necessary for undergraduate programs in the US

Taught by Alice Llanos, and Rachel Kraut, Ph.D., who are educators at an American university

Provides opportunities for practicing English and academic skills through interactive discussion boards

Examines undergraduate-level academic topics, including critical thinking

Requires a high-intermediate level of English, which will be challenging for beginners

Not suitable for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree

Reviews summary

Academic preparation for us university success

According to students, the English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate course is a highly beneficial program for those aspiring to undergraduate studies in an American university. Learners frequently highlight its effectiveness in improving academic writing skills, with the Writer's Workshop module often cited as particularly helpful. The course provides a solid foundation in listening, critical thinking, and note-taking, essential for navigating US academic culture. While the asynchronous format offers flexibility, some found the speaking practice limited without real-time interaction. A few learners felt the pace could be slow at times or that the content was too basic if they already possessed strong English skills, indicating it's best suited for high-intermediate learners seeking academic readiness.

Offers flexibility but may limit real-time interaction and speaking practice.

"The asynchronous format was perfect for my schedule..."

"...More live interaction would have been nice, but it's asynchronous."

"The 'Speaking' aspect... felt somewhat limited without more real-time practice."

"The asynchronous format meant less direct teacher interaction, which I missed."

Instructors provide helpful and constructive feedback on assignments.

"The instructors were supportive and the feedback was constructive."

"The feedback on assignments was timely and specific."

"The instructors were very helpful and gave detailed feedback."

Prepares students for the unique expectations of American university studies.

"It really helped me understand the expectations of US academic culture."

"I feel much more confident applying to US universities now."

"This is a must for international students."

"The course covers essential skills for undergraduate studies."

Course excels in developing crucial academic writing skills for university.

"The Writer's Workshop module especially improved my essay writing skills."

"The focus on critical thinking and academic writing was exactly what I needed."

"The Capstone Project was a fantastic way to consolidate all the skills."

"The feedback on my writing was invaluable."

Some lessons felt slow; engagement varies, though discussion boards were active.

"The course content is decent, but I felt the pace was a bit slow at times."

"Some video lessons could be more engaging."

"The discussion boards were active, but sometimes the quality of peer interaction varied."

Best for high-intermediate English speakers, less so for advanced learners.

"Some parts felt a bit basic, especially if you already have a strong grasp of grammar..."

"Honestly, I found this course somewhat redundant. I already have a strong English background..."

"Maybe it's better for those with lower intermediate skills."

"I was hoping for more advanced grammar or specific test prep strategies, but it's more about general academic readiness."

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 English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate with these activities:

Connect with International Students

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By establishing connections with other international students, you will have the opportunity to practice English, gain cultural insights, and learn about different perspectives.

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Attend international student events
Join clubs and organizations for international students
Introduce yourself to international students in your classes

Use Online Resources

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Familiarizing yourself with the resources available online will allow you to be more efficient and effective when you're taking this course.

Browse courses on Research Skills

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Identify the most useful online resources for this course
Learn how to effectively use these resources
Practice using these resources to complete a small research project

Review English Language Usage

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Familiarizing yourself with English language usage prior to enrolling will allow you to keep up with your peers more readily.

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Identify and describe the 8 parts of speech.
Learn how to identify the three main clauses.
Identify and analyze different sentence constructions.

Six other activities

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Sentence Diagraming

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Sentence diagramming is a great way to build a strong foundation in English grammar and syntax, which will be essential for success in this course.

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Find online tutorials on sentence diagramming
Practice diagramming simple sentences
Move on to more complex sentences

Drive Using Constructed Conversations

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By actively partaking in conversational practice, you will develop your verbal fluency in a structured and effective manner.

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Study the conversation starters
Practice speaking aloud shadowing the constructions
Have conversations using the learned material

Read Beyond the ELA Classroom

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Exploring this novel will build upon the themes discussed in the ELA Classroom by providing another narrative from the Antebellum South.

View The Life of Herod the Great on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5 of the novel
Summarize the main plot points and character development
Analyze the use of figurative language and symbolism in the novel

Write a Self-Introduction Speech

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By creating this speech, you will gain confidence in your ability to effectively communicate your thoughts and ideas on the spot.

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Brainstorm ideas about who you are and what you want to say
Write an outline of your speech
Practice delivering your speech in front of a mirror or with a friend

Design an Informational Poster

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Creating an engaging infographic will help you develop your visual communication skills, which will be essential for success in this course.

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Choose a topic that you are interested in
Research your topic and gather information
Design your poster using a tool like Canva or Adobe Photoshop

Annotated Bibliography

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Compiling an annotated bibliography will help you develop your research skills and your ability to synthesize information from multiple sources.

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Choose a topic for your annotated bibliography
Find and read at least 10 sources on your topic
Write an annotation for each source
Compile your annotated bibliography

Career center

Learners who complete English and Academic Preparation - Pre-Collegiate will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Librarian

Librarians help people find and access information. They work in a variety of settings, including public libraries, school libraries, and academic libraries. They may also work as information brokers or research librarians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create instruction manuals, technical reports, and other documents that explain complex technical information to a specific audience.

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Grant Writer

Grant Writers help organizations secure funding for various projects and programs. They write grant proposals, which outline the need for funding, the project's goals and objectives, and the organization's ability to complete the project successfully.

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Editor

Editors review, edit, and revise written material for publication. They work with authors to ensure that their writing is clear, concise, and accurate. Editors may also work with publishers to develop and manage editorial content.

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English Teacher

English Teachers impart knowledge and skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening to students from kindergarten through college. They prepare lesson plans, teach classes, and evaluate students' progress. Those who want to become English Teachers may find this course helpful, as it can help them develop the skills they need to effectively teach English to students.

See salaries and explore the career path for English Teacher

Sales Manager

Sales Managers lead and motivate sales teams to achieve sales goals. They develop sales strategies, train and develop sales staff, and track sales results.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve business processes. They work with stakeholders to gather requirements, analyze data, and develop and implement solutions.

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Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and close projects. They work with project teams to define project goals, develop project plans, and track project progress.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of an organization. They develop and implement operational plans, manage staff, and track operational results.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers plan, develop, and implement human resources policies and programs. They work with employees and managers to attract, develop, and retain a talented workforce.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts analyze financial data to make investment recommendations. They work with clients to develop investment strategies and manage investment portfolios.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists assess, diagnose, and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders in people of all ages. They work with individuals to improve their communication skills and help them regain or maintain their ability to speak, understand language, and swallow.

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Journalist

Journalists gather, analyze, and report on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television and radio stations.

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Public Relations Specialist

Public Relations Specialists plan and execute public relations campaigns to build and maintain a positive image for their clients. They work with the media, the public, and other stakeholders to promote their clients' interests.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns to promote products and services. They work with marketing teams to create marketing plans, develop marketing materials, and track marketing results.

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