Academic English and Pre-Graduate Training Program
Simon Fraser University has created a pilot program for to improve your English language proficiency if English is not your primary language.
This program is designed for students who have applied for and been recommended for admission into a regular graduate program at SFU and meet the AEPGT program pre-requisites.
Program Overview
The Academic English and Pre-Graduate Training Program focuses on building academic literacies, while providing extensive practice reading, writing, listening and speaking English in an academic context.
If your IELTS score falls slightly below the requirement of 7.0 or your TOEFL score is approximately 86 or above, or even if you fulfill the English language requirement but are new to the North American academic system, then this program will be of substantial benefit to you.
As a future SFU graduate student, you will require not only strong English language proficiency, but also an ability to apply your English skills in the following contexts: reading and comprehending academic texts, writing in the appropriate register and genre of your field of study, speaking and presenting as appropriate for graduate seminars and understanding the language spoken in academia.
The ultimate aim of the program is to prepare you to be successful in your SFU graduate program. While the curriculum provides focus and clear learning objectives, it is also flexible enough to allow you to explore some of the unique aspects of your own academic discipline.
Program Dates
End of May – mid August, 2014 (12 week program, exact dates to be confirmed)
Program Pre-requisites
- An IELTS score of no less than 6.5 or a TOEFL score of approximately 86; or,
- Permission of the Dean of Graduate Studies
Registration
Students wishing to participate in this program must have applied for and been recommended for admission into a regular graduate program at SFU and meet the AEPGT program pre-requisites.
Registration details will be posted on this page in early 2014. Please check back.
Sample Program Schedule
Course Descriptions
Academic Skills and Research Methodologies
This course provides you with an introduction and orientation to North American academic philosophy and practices, as well as many integral aspects relating to research and academic writing. You will undertake a major research project that spans the duration of the term, which you can apply to your own academic field of interest.
North American Cultural Studies
Knowledge and understanding of North American culture is crucial for non-native English speakers to function effectively in an English-speaking environment. By becoming more familiar with and carefully examining North American media, education, and pop culture in a social, political, and historical context, you will gain more in-depth knowledge and understanding of the culture behind many language expressions and communication patterns.
English Communication in Context
Through an interactive and integrated approach, in this course you will focus on strengthening your academic communication with a focus on speaking and listening skills. By engaging with a wide range of authentic materials from various aspects of academic discourse and North American culture, you will further develop your Academic English proficiency and learn about effective interpersonal, group, and intercultural communication strategies.
Academic Writing
Because program participants will come from a range of academic backgrounds and disciplines, this course will adopt a workshop approach so that you can practice developing forms of written discourse related to your own field of interest. You can also expect to work with traditional models of academic writing common in North America such as structuring and supporting persuasive arguments in response to texts.
Workshops, Class Audits and Fieldwork
This unique component of the program provides you with the opportunity to apply the skills and concepts you encounter in your other courses. By attending lectures, labs and thesis defense sessions, you will have the opportunity to reflect on your own learning objectives in the context of your particular field of study.
Assessment
The assessment criteria for each course and for the program as a whole are set to best evaluate your readiness to commence graduate studies. Unlike IELTS and TOFEL, these tools are designed to closely capture the skills and knowledge you build over the 12-week training program. The carefully crafted assessment tools will also provide you with an evaluation of your practical academic abilities and English language proficiency.
If you successfully complete the Academic English and Pre-Graduate Training Program, you will fulfill the English language requirement for entering Graduate Studies at SFU.
Program Fees
- AEPGT Program Fee: $5500 (includes a $200 non-refundable registration fee)
- *GRAD Rec & Athletic Fee: $34.15
- *GRAD Student Activity Fee: $31.63
- *GRAD Student Services Fee: $43.50
- *UPASS BC Transit Pass Fee: $120
- *International Student Medical Insurance: $353
AEPGT program fees will be paid directly to SFU Continuing Studies. All applicants admitted to the Academic English and Pre-Graduate Training Program (AEPGTP) will receive a confirmation letter containing tuition payment instructions.
*All other non-degree student fees will be assessed on your SFU student account.(see: How to Pay Your Fees)
Refund/Cancellation Policy
Only in cases involving extenuating circumstances ( i.e. medical illness or being declined by Citizenship & Immigration Canada for a study permit), we will issue you a refund when we receive sufficient documents at least 7 days before the program starts. All refunds will be at the discretion of the AEPGTP.
The AEPGTP reserves the right to cancel programs or courses without liability. If a program or course is cancelled, every effort will be made to give adequate notice to the enrolled student, who will receive a full refund of the $5,300 tuition. However, the $200 registration fee is not refundable. Refunds can only be issued to the tuition payee.
Refunds normally take 6 to 8 weeks to process. Refunds are non-transferable. Fees cannot be transferred to another student or to another program at Simon Fraser University.
Contact Us
For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Steinberg.
Telephone 778-782-3380
e-mail: ita@sfu.ca