In the autumn semester 2023, Language Services will offer two intensive English kick-start courses for administrative staff. The workshops will be facilitated by Lenore Messick and Sarah Jennings from AU Language Services, both of whom have extensive experience teaching English and translating and proofreading at AU. The course offers participants an opportunity to hone and refresh their oral and written skills through in-class dialogue, feedback and reflection on authentic materials and relevant topics.

English Kickstart is for administrative staff whose jobs involve writing and speaking English at a high level. This includes staff with ‘classic’ language consultant tasks such as proofreading, translation or advising colleagues on their use of English. It also includes staff who write or edit demanding texts such as reports, newsletters or research applications in English, or who need to discuss or explain complex or sensitive topics in English. 

The course will offer participants an opportunity to: 

• improve their oral and written English skills relevant to their work at AU 

• kickstart their learning and engagement  

• increase their confidence and proficiency 

• acquire strategies for independent learning  

• explore their strengths and weaknesses  

• connect with colleagues from across AU. 

The focus of the course will be on in-class participation: while some preparation may be required, there will be no mandatory homework per se. On the other hand, participants will be expected to commit wholeheartedly to attending and engaging in the course sessions, and will be asked to bring, share and work on authentic English materials together. 

• The courses are free and open to all qualified administrative staff. 

• Each course will consist of four two-hour weekly sessions.  

• We can accomodate between four and eight participants per course. 

• Courses will be conducted entirely in English and facilitated by Sarah Jennings and Lenore Messick. 

• Coffee/tea and fruit will be served during the break. 

• The course will be offered on site just south of Nobel Park in Aarhus.

When you sign up, we’ll ask you to answer some questions about how you use English at work – so we recommend setting aside some time for the sign-up process. 
In the event that the course you want to sign up for is full, you will have the option of joining a waiting list, and we’ll notify you by email if a place becomes available.