Academic English for Presentations and Conferences

Academic English for Presentations and Conferences

Overview

This micro-credential aims to strengthen communicative competence in spoken academic English through the appropriate use of vocabulary and formal structures. Students will develop oral expression and non-verbal communication skills that will allow them to convey ideas clearly and precisely in academic and professional contexts. It also seeks to foster confidence and linguistic autonomy, promoting their participation and integration in international academic and scientific environments.

Goals

  1. Acquire vocabulary and structures specific to spoken academic English, with emphasis on clarity, precision, and formality of discourse.
  2. Develop oral expression and non-verbal communication skills to convey ideas effectively in academic and professional contexts.
  3. To promote students' confidence and linguistic autonomy, facilitating their integration into global academic and scientific networks.

Access requirements

To benefit from this subsidized training course, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. Being a national of the Spanish territory.
  2. Be between 25 and 64 years of age at the start date of training.
  3. Be between 25 and 64 years of age at the start date of training.
  4. Possess a minimum level of competence in English equivalent to B1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Academic program

Contents

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Spoken Academic English

  • Characteristics of the oral academic record
  • Differences between general and academic English
  • Basic academic vocabulary and key expressions
  • The importance of fluid communication in the academic world: discussing the role of clear and effective communication in academic success.
  • Cultural differences in academic communication

Unit 2: Structure and Organization of Academic Presentations

  • Typology, format and structure of academic presentations
  • The language and tone of the presentations
  • Specific vocabulary and phrases used to describe research methods, present results, and discuss implications.
  • Discourse markers
  • Use of logical connectors and transitions
  • Preparation of visual support materials (slides, graphics, diagrams, posters)

Unit 3: Oral Expression Techniques and Non-Verbal Communication

  • Clarity, rhythm, and intonation in oral presentations
  • Pronunciation and intonation in formal contexts
  • Body language, eye contact, and use of space
  • Strategies to capture and maintain the public's attention
  • Time management and presentation pacing

Unit 4: Interaction and Participation in Academic Contexts

  • How to respond to audience questions and comments
  • Techniques for reformulating, clarifying, and arguing
  • Participation in debates, round tables and seminars
  • Strategies for handling unforeseen situations
  • Listening comprehension strategies for understanding lectures and academic presentations: strategies to improve listening skills, such as predicting content, identifying key points, and note-taking.

Methodology and activities

The training activities to be carried out during the delivery of the micro-credential will be:

  • Theoretical classes: expository, explanatory or demonstration sessions of the contents and knowledge.
  • Practical classes: sessions of practical application of the content developed in the theoretical classes, through the resolution of exercises, problems or theoretical-practical scenarios.
  • Seminars, workshops, or other complementary activities (discussion forums, simulations, etc.): monographic sessions that encourage student participation. These are supervised by the course instructors.
  • Independent work: independent and self-regulated activity of the student based on the documentation and guidelines proposed in the subject, preparation of classes and exams, preparation of final reports, internship reports…
  • Presentations, debates and defenses of works and projects: activity through which students present works, exercises, projects… based on established criteria, demonstrating sufficiency and maturity in the acquisition of the planned competencies.
  • Assessment: continuous assessment tests and final exams. Tests may be in person or online, and may be written, oral, or consist of practical exercises.

Regarding the way to organize the teaching to achieve the objectives set out in the micro-credential, the organizational modality summarized below will be followed:

  • Lectures/expository method: presentation or explanation by the teaching staff.
  • Seminars: completing exercises, solving problems or practical cases, others.
  • Individual work: individual preparation of assignments/projects/reports, portfolio, …
  • Assessment: written tests, oral tests, practical tests, …
  • Exhibitions, debates and presentation of works and projects: activities supervised by the teaching staff.
  • Active methodologies: cooperative learning, project-based learning, flipped classroom, service learning, game-based learning, case studies, problem solving… These are aimed at making learning a participatory process and are based on student agency.

Evaluation criteria

The microcredential will have an evaluation system (ES) based on the following assessment tests:

  • Attendance, participation or attitude in teaching activities, seminars, tutorials, etc.: monitoring student attendance and participation in teaching activities, carrying out activities during teaching sessions.
  • Written works, memoirs, internship reports, and projects: a document prepared on a topic or activity carried out, following the instructions established by the teaching staff.
  • Oral presentation and defense of topics, assignments, etc.: oral presentation on a topic related to the micro-credential content or on the results of an assignment, exercise, or project, followed by discussion with the teaching staff. This can be done individually or in a group.

General information

Credits: 2 ECTS

Duration: 06/03/2026-08/05/2026

Teaching modality: Blended learning

Location: Faculty of Education (Central Building)

Registration fee: €43.50

Valued at: €145

Registration
More info and registration help

The cost of tuition for this Microcredential will be subsidized by the “Plan for the development of university microcredentials”, investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the “Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan”, financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU, financial year 2025. Training subsidized by the “Plan for the development of university microcredentials”, investment 6 of component 21 of the Addendum to the “Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – financed by the European Union – Next Generation EU», for the financial year 2025.

Flexibility

Short courses available in various formats (in-person, online, or hybrid). Ideal for learning without interrupting your professional life.

Employability

Content created and delivered by professionals and experts in the field, designed for immediate application.

Certification

Endorsed by the University of La Laguna. You will receive an official ECTS certificate, valid in the European Higher Education Area.

Teaching staff

María Luisa Capón Mouriz

English teacher at the Language Service of the University of La Laguna. Her teaching work has focused on teaching English for academic purposes and English for teaching.

Sonia López Serrano

Professor in the Department of English and German Philology at the University of La Laguna (ULL). Her research focuses on language learning and teaching., with special emphasis on pragmatics, academic communication, and the internationalization of higher education.

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