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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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). They're 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, email AskUs@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 frequently, 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? Cancel your booking and email AskUs@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 AskUs@salford.ac.uk.
Practical academic writing course
Feel more confident in your academic writing! Join our five-week course designed 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 AskUs@salford.ac.uk to cancel.
LEAP online workshops
Writing at a UK University [Online]
Starts: 16 Oct 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 16 Oct 2026, 2:00 pmThis is an interactive online workshop where you will learn about how to approach written assessments at a UK University. You will also learn about different writing styles for assessments and how to engage with support available to you.What Feedback Really Means (and How to Use It) [Online]
Starts: 19 Oct 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 19 Oct 2026, 2:00 pmRemaining places: 15This workshop is for all international students and students whose first language is not English to learn how to interpret academic feedback and improve future work.Read smarter, not harder - Academic reading made easy [Online]
Starts: 23 Oct 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 23 Oct 2026, 2:00 pmRemaining places: 14Struggling to keep up with academic reading? This workshop will introduce simple and effective strategies to help you read faster, understand more, and feel more confident approaching academic texts.Structuring your PG dissertation: An overview [Online]
Starts: 6 Nov 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 6 Nov 2026, 2:00 pmThis is an interactive online workshop where you will learn about the different sections of a postgraduate Dissertation and what each section adds to the overall Dissertation.Write like a Pro - Sound more academic in your assignments [Online]
Starts: 13 Nov 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 13 Nov 2026, 2:00 pmRemaining places: 14Learn how to make your writing sound more academic, clear and confident. This workshop will help you use a more formal tone, express ideas carefully, and avoid language that sounds too informal or too certain.Become a Proofreading Pro: Top Tips for Academic English [Online]
Starts: 23 Nov 2026, 1:00 pmFinishes: 23 Nov 2026, 2:00 pmRemaining places: 16This workshop is for all international students and students whose first language is not English to learn how to edit and proofread their academic work efficiently and effectively.
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 free of charge for current University of Salford students! Please attend every session that you've booked onto, unless you have a valid reason for absence. If you can no longer attend, please cancel your booking via Advantage.
Please be aware that we may cancel, suspend, or terminate a session if circumstances beyond our control prevent or delay its delivery. This includes but is not limited to:
- staff shortage
- low participant numbers.
By completing your booking, you're deemed to accept these terms and conditions.
Contact us
Please email any queries you have to the LEAP administration team: AskUs@salford.ac.uk.
We aim to respond to all queries as soon as possible.
