Hundreds of SFU graduate students are multilingual speakers with a native language other than English, or have just begun their experience in a new (academic) culture. We have compiled a list of professional development resources at SFU that will help you become a competent actor in a multicultural and multilingual environment.
Resources for Succeeding in English
Academic Writing for Graduate Students:
Positioning Yourself as a Junior Scholar
10-week course for EAL graduate students. The course focuses on writing tasks that may be required in the earlier stages of a graduate program.
Academic Writing for Graduate Students:
Writing Up Research
10-week course for EAL graduate students. The focus of the course is to help prepare you for writing up your own research.
Academic Writing & Speaking Bootcamp
A 4-day workshop during reading break that focuses on grammar and style in the morning and tutorial participation in the afternoons. Offered every term.
Academic English Coaching
One-on-one English support for EAL students, meet min. 3 times per semester with an English language specialist. Offered every term.
Multilingual Students' Hub
A forum for multilingual students to share their stories about events or critical incidents that occurred while learning or using English. Submit your own story.
One-on-One EAL Consultations
Consultations for academic writing, reading, and conversational and academic speaking and listening support. Offered every term.
Conversation Partners
One-to-one, semester-long service with a volunteer peer educator designed to support multilingual learners' English conversation skills as well as help them with their social and cultural needs as they transition into and through the university.
Academic Writing & Speaking Bootcamp
A 4-day workshop during reading break that focuses on grammar and style in the morning and tutorial participation in the afternoons. Offered every term.
Academic English Coaching
One-on-one English support for EAL students, meet min. 3 times per semester with an English language specialist. Offered every term.
Strategies for Pronouncing Academic and Professional Vocabulary
A 50-minute session to learn how word beginnings (prefixes) can help you to predict word stress regularities and pronounce words more accurately.
Let's Talk
Develop fluency, expand your vocabulary, and share cultural perspectives in a casual group setting.
Vancouver is Awesome!
To get to know Vancouver better, meet new people, and improve English conversation skills in a casual, group setting.
The Plurilingual Café
A weekly workshop with the goal to recognize and celebrate the rich plurality of EAL students everyday language practices and interactions.
Communication Skills
A weekly workshop to practice English conversation skills.
International Teaching Assistants Program (ITA)
A 10-week seminar to improve your teaching and communication skills. Also available as a 3-session Just-in-time seminar.
English Language and Culture Program
Programs include:
- 8-week intensive seminar with or without specialization
- 4-week summer immersion program
- Pathway ELC - FIC - SFU
Several events and trainings related to intercultural competence.
Transition Case Manager
One-on-one support specifically for international students for managing culture shock, school stress, finding housing or understanding documents or Canadian services.
English as Additional Language Tips
Check out resources such as videos about common workplace phrases and testimonials about different challenges for EAL speakers in the workplace, or infographics about different intercultural topics.
Workshops
Stay tuned about upcoming events and workshops for international students, e.g. tax workshops, permanent residency workshops, rights for tenants workshops, etc.
Self-Assessment Resources
Test your English skills with an English proficiency test, free exam samples, and grammar and spelling diagnostic websites.
Grammar and Vocabulary Resources
Improve your grammar and vocabulary with these self-study resources.
Listening Resources
Improve your listening skills with self-directed exercises.
Pronunciation Practice Resources
To understand different accents.
English Language Schools List
Online English lessons.
Reading/Current Events Resources
Find useful websites to read more in English.
Learn English Through Movies
Gain more ease in English by watching movies.
Resources for Workplace Communications and Culture
Videos and infographics about common workplace phrases and intercultural topics at the workplace, as well as testimonials about different challenges for EAL speakers in the workplace.
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