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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This five-week course is designed for international undergraduate and postgraduate students who wish to enhance their English for Academic Purposes (EAP) speaking skills. The focus is on developing confidence, fluency, and clarity in key academic speaking contexts such as seminars, discussions, and presentations.
Dates:
- Wed 19 Nov 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
- Wed 26 Nov 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
- Wed 3 Dec 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
- Wed 10 Dec 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
- Wed 17 Dec 2025, 13:00 - 15:00
NOTE: When you book your place you are committing to attend all five sessions. Please add the dates to your diary. A booking reminder will be sent to your university email before each session.
What is Learn English for Academic Purposes?
Learn English for Academic Purposes (LEAP) is a programme which is designed to help international students at the University of Salford 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
You’ll learn through tutor guidance, group discussions, and hands-on tasks with international students from across the University.
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
Build confidence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English to boost your academic success at the University of Salford.
- 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.
Enjoy interactive sessions that help you practice real academic skills and communicate more effectively with classmates, tutors, and the wider university community.
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. If your Programme Leader is interested, ask them 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: 3.0. Paraphrasing. [Online]
Starts: 5 Dec 2025, 10:00 amFinishes: 5 Dec 2025, 11:00 amRemaining places: 14This 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 Reading: 1.0 Reading Strategies. (Online)
Starts: 5 Dec 2025, 11:30 amFinishes: 5 Dec 2025, 12:30 pmRemaining places: 15This 40-minute online LEAP session will help you build strong reading strategies for academic texts. You’ll learn simple ways to read more effectively and understand key ideas.Academic Writing: 4.0. Citation. [Online]
Starts: 5 Dec 2025, 12:00 pmFinishes: 5 Dec 2025, 1:00 pmRemaining places: 17This 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: 5.0. Referencing. [Online]
Starts: 5 Dec 2025, 1:30 pmFinishes: 5 Dec 2025, 2:30 pmRemaining places: 17This 40-minute online LEAP session will help international students improve their academic writing. In this session, we will learn how to make an accurate reference list for University of Salford assignments and find out where to get support and guidance.Academic Reading: 2.0. Understanding writer stance. [Online]
Starts: 8 Dec 2025, 11:00 amFinishes: 8 Dec 2025, 12:00 pmRemaining places: 16This 40-minute online LEAP session will show you how to read academic texts critically. You’ll discover how to question ideas and understand a writer’s viewpoint.Academic Writing: 8.0. Synthesising Ideas. [Online]
Starts: 11 Dec 2025, 10:30 amFinishes: 11 Dec 2025, 11:30 amRemaining places: 17This 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 Reading: 3.0 Reading Critically. (Online)
Starts: 11 Dec 2025, 12:30 pmFinishes: 11 Dec 2025, 1:30 pmRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will improve your academic reading skills. You'll learn to ask questions and check ideas in the texts, helping you understand and think more critically about the information.Academic Writing: 6.0. Signposting Ideas. [Online]
Starts: 12 Dec 2025, 2:00 pmFinishes: 12 Dec 2025, 3:00 pmRemaining places: 18This 40-minute online LEAP session will help you make your academic writing easier to follow. You’ll learn how to use signposting to guide your reader through your ideas.
Extra support outside LEAP
LEAP is a service directed primarily at international students, but we have collated below 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.
