Learn English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) is designed to help international students at the University of Salford with their academic English skills.
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Love meeting new people? Curious about different cultures?
Come mix, mingle, and connect with students from all over the world.
This session is for international students.
- Where: Clifford Whitworth Library, ground floor exhibition space.
- When: Wednesdays, 14:30 - 15:30 (starting on Wednesday 14 January).
- How: Simply drop-in, you don't need to book.
What is Learn English for Academic Purposes?
Learn English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) is a programme designed to help international students with their academic English skills.
LEAP offers:
- free online English Language workshops
- free online skills workshops
- 1-to-1 tutorials
- help and support.
About LEAP
LEAP helps international students improve their academic English for university success. Our live online workshops are interactive, practical, and designed to boost your confidence in:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
With international students from across the University, you’ll learn through:
- tutor guidance
- group discussions
- hands-on tasks
Workshops are 30-40 minutes and run on Microsoft Teams. At the end, you can ask questions and get extra practice materials.
There are no formal assessments, but you’ll get regular feedback and track your progress through engaging activities.
Workshops run throughout the year (Trimesters 1, 2, and 3) and are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Whether you're adjusting to academic study in the UK or want to sharpen your skills, LEAP is here to support you.
Why join LEAP
- Improve your English communication skills - a valuable asset for employers around the world.
- Meet people from diverse backgrounds, make new friends, and support your wellbeing.
How will I learn?
Join our online LEAP workshops to build your English and study skills!
Book your spot on Advantage - if a session’s full, just email leap@salford.ac.uk to join the waiting list.
Can’t make it? Please cancel your booking so someone else can join.
New workshops are added all the time, so check back often!
Build the skills you need to succeed at university. Explore our core areas:
Listening and note-taking
- Take clear notes
- Focus on key academic ideas
Reading skills
- Read critically and effectively
- Understand writer opinions
- Evaluate academic arguments
Academic writing
- Structure essays and assignments
- Link ideas clearly
- Paraphrase and reference properly
- Write strong thesis statements
- Use academic tone and cautious language
Presentation and speaking skills
- Speak clearly and with confidence
- Engage your audience
- Prepare for academic presentations
Study skills and independent learning
- Expand academic vocabulary
- Use feedback to improve
- Find reliable online resources
- Write effective academic emails
Dissertations and research projects
- Plan and write each section (Intro, Methods, Findings, etc.)
- Present your work with confidence
- Handle Q&A and the oral defence
- Network at academic events
Ready to improve your academic English?
Get started today or Contact us to learn more!
1-to-1 LEAP tutorials
Get personalised help with your English, assignments, or presentations!
Book a 1-to-1 tutorial on Advantage - new slots added weekly.
Can’t make it? Just cancel your booking and email leap@salford.ac.uk.
Online or in-person - your choice, your support!
Courses we offer
Bespoke LEAP courses
Need something tailored? We offer free custom English courses designed for specific programmes. Ask your Programme Leader to get in touch via leap@salford.ac.uk.
Practical academic writing course
Feel more confident in your academic writing! Join our five-week course created especially for students whose first language isn’t English.
- Designed for clarity, structure and success
- Duration: Five weeks
- Limited spaces - book early
- Click the link below to book (choose only one slot)
- First-come, first-served
Can’t attend? Please email leap@salford.ac.uk to cancel.
LEAP online workshops
Academic Writing: 1.0. Hedging and Cautious Language. [Online]
Starts: 9 Jan 2026, 9:00 amFinishes: 9 Jan 2026, 10:00 amRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. The focus will be on expressing ideas clearly and accurately by using cautious language, also called hedging.Academic Writing: 8.0. Synthesising Ideas. [Online]
Starts: 9 Jan 2026, 10:30 amFinishes: 9 Jan 2026, 11:30 amRemaining places: 12This 40-minute online LEAP session will help you improve your academic writing. You’ll learn how to combine ideas from different sources and use them smoothly in your work.Academic Writing: 3.0. Paraphrasing. [Online]
Starts: 9 Jan 2026, 12:00 pmFinishes: 9 Jan 2026, 1:00 pmRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. It will focus on easy ways to use different techniques to paraphrase well.Academic Writing: 4.0. Citation. [Online]
Starts: 12 Jan 2026, 10:00 amFinishes: 12 Jan 2026, 11:00 amRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. In this session, we will learn how to cite the work of other writers in University of Salford assignments. We will look at the APA 7th style and answer common questions about how to use it correctly.Academic Writing: 4.0. Citation. [Online]
Starts: 16 Jan 2026, 10:00 amFinishes: 16 Jan 2026, 11:00 amRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. In this session, we will learn how to cite the work of other writers in University of Salford assignments. We will look at the APA 7th style and answer common questions about how to use it correctly.Academic Writing: 3.0. Paraphrasing. [Online]
Starts: 16 Jan 2026, 11:00 amFinishes: 16 Jan 2026, 12:00 pmRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. It will focus on easy ways to use different techniques to paraphrase well.
Extra support outside LEAP
LEAP is a service directed primarily at international students. We've collated the following resources which may be useful to members of staff.
Skills for Life
EAP
- Using English for Academic Purposes for students in Higher Education
- eapfoundation.com
- Academic Phrasebook
- The Purdue OWL® - Purdue OWL® - Purdue University
- Academic English Online
General
British Council - Learn English online
Listening
TED Talks
Terms and conditions
All LEAP sessions are bookable through the Advantage system. Sessions are completely free of charge for current University of Salford students! Please attend every session that you have booked onto, unless you have a valid reason for absence (in which case please cancel your booking via Advantage).
Please be aware that we may have to cancel, suspend, or terminate a session if any circumstances beyond our control prevent or delay its delivery (including but not limited to staff shortage) or if participant numbers fall below a sustainable/viable level. By completing your booking, you are deemed to accept these terms and conditions.
Contact us
Please email any queries you have to the LEAP administration team: leap@salford.ac.uk.
We aim to respond to all queries as soon as possible.
