This workshop series provides students with practical strategies and resources to strengthen their English language skills and succeed in an online college environment. The series focuses on academic communication, discussion boards, conversation practice, managing language anxiety, grammar, building support networks, and reviewing helpful tips for continued success. Students will develop skills and confidence to communicate effectively, engage with the SNHU community, and achieve their academic goals.
In the first week, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on developing effective academic communication skills. This includes understanding what academic communication is, learning how to communicate professionally with your professor through email, and practicing strategies for asking for help when you need support.
Academic Communication
- Academic communication includes writing, videos, or verbal conversations
- It occurs between students, professors, advisors, or support staff
- It involves sharing ideas in a formal, educational setting
Reminder
Academic communication should be:
- Professional
- Encouraging
- Clear
- Concise
- Efficient
Generative AI
- Do use Grammarly
- AI tools are good for brainstorm or providing clarity
- Do not assume GenAI information is correct
- Do not use GenAI instead of your course materials
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these other Academic Resource Center links:
ARC Guide: 8 Consejos para Estudiantes que Utilizan Inteligencia Artificial Generativa (GenAI)
ARC Guide: Writing a Professional Email
ARC Guide: SNHU AI Student Use Guidelines
In week 2, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on developing effective skills for participating in course discussions. This includes understanding what a course discussion is, learning how to respond thoughtfully to a discussion prompt and a peer, and practicing discussion do’s and don’ts to communicate clearly, respectfully, and effectively with classmates.
What is a discussion?
The discussion board helps you connect with peers, share your thoughts, explore course topics, and earn points toward your success in the course.
Steps for Building a Discussion
- Read your prompt once, then read it again.
- On the second read-through: Write down ideas that come to mind, to get your thoughts out on paper (Brainstorm).
- Copy and paste the prompt questions onto your Word document – to stay focused.
- Use your notes to answer each component of the prompt – don't skip any parts!
- Edit your response before posting: Ensure that you cite sources and that you have answered all prompts.
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these other Academic Resource Center links:
ARC Guide: Discussion Board Writing Companion Page
ARC Guide: Discussion Board Tips (with Video)
ARC Guide: (Espanol) Discussion Board (with Video)
In week 3, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on building confidence in speaking English. This includes exploring common myths about becoming a confident English speaker, practicing conversation skills, and learning strategies for sounding out tricky words.
Myths of Becoming a Confident English Speakers
- Some people are naturally confident speakers
- Flient English speakers speak fast
- A confident speaker does not ask for clarification
- A confident speaker does not make mistakes
Practical English Speaking Tips
- Speak clearly and slowly. You dont have to speak quickly to sound fluent
- Don't worry about being perfect. Mistakes are a natural part of learning
- Use simple words. Clear communication is more important than using complicated vocabulary
- Practice out loud. Read, repat, or talk to yourself in English to build confidence
In week 4, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on understanding and managing foreign language anxiety (FLA). This includes exploring strategies to reduce anxiety, customizing your learning approach, and reflecting on your language-learning experiences through discussion and grammar practice.
What is Foreign Language Anxiety?
- Foreign Language Anxiety (FLA) can affect the language-learning process
- It may come from psychological and social factors
- Fear of making mistakes can make learners nervous
- New grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation can increase anxiety
- Learners may struggle with self-doubt and confidence
- Written activities can feel easier because they allow more time to think and respond
Strategies to Reduce Language Anxiety
• Embrace written skills
• Solo practice
• Positive pep talks
• Set achievable goals
• Supportive environment
• Online resources
Remember: Practice, make mistakes, get feedback and stay positive!
In week 5, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on strengthening academic writing skills.This includes strategies for building your vocabulary, avoiding first-person point of view in formal academic writing, and reviewing basic grammar rules to communicate clearly and effectively.
Avoid First Person
In formal academic writing, avoid using I, me, my, and we when a more objective approach is appropriate. See examples below!
Example 1
I think the justice system should treat all defendants the same.
Instead, write like this:
The justice system should treat all defendants the same.
Example 2
I argue that...
Instead, write like this: The report argues that...
Example 3
I found that...
Instead, write like this: The results showed that...
Tip: Focus on the ideas, evidence, research, or results rather than yourself.
In week 6, the Bilingual Learner workshop focuses on developing strategies and resources for academic success.This includes exploring useful online tools, learning how to access community support, and building effective time management and organizational skills.
Online Tools
- Google Scholar
- Grammarly
- Citation Generators
- YouTube
- Clear English Academy
Grammar Tip of the Week
Pronouns need to agree with their antecedents (the subject).
•If the antecedent is plural, then the pronoun referring back to it must also be plural. If the antecedent is singular, then the pronoun referring back to it must be singular.
•A pronoun is a word such as it, she, or them that stands in for and refers back to a noun (called an antecedent).
Correct Example:
The Venus flytrap’s “jaws” only close when it senses contact from prey.
Explanation: The antecedent is The Venus flytrap, which is singular, so the singular pronoun it should be used—not the plural pronoun they.
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these other links:
Shapiro Library Research Guide
Shapiro Library Databases
In week 7, the Bilingual Learner workshop brings together key strategies and skills from the previous weeks. This includes reviewing top tips for discussion boards, academic communication, overcoming overthinking, and using strong grammar. Students will reflect on what they have learned and identify strategies they can continue using throughout their academic journey.
Great Grammar Top Tips
- Be consistent with your tenses and always have subject/verb agreement
- Capitalize where needed (names of people and places)
- Look up (google) the definition for words you don't know
- Avoid first person POV for Academic Writing
- Use apostrophes for possessive nouns and contractions
Academic Communication Top Tips
- Academic communication means presenting ideas formally in a scholastic environment.
- Be clear and concise and try to present information in an efficient manner
- Before emailing your professor, determine what is the goal of your email
- Be clear, don't repeat yourself, use proper punctuation, avoid slang and "text speak"
- When giving feedback to a peer, start with something positive and always be respectful
Overcoming Overthinking Top Tips
- Foreign Speaking Anxiety plays an important role during the process of learning a new language
- Embrace your skills, practice reading and written activity to build confidence
- Supportive environments: classes, study groups with non-judgmental environment
Reach out for help at SNHU: 24/7- writing feedback- and workshops
Customize your learning approach: Find methods that work best for you!
For more information on the concepts from today's workshop, check out these other links:
Clear English Academy - How to Sound More Fluent with Linking VIDEO with Keenyn Rhodes
American English. (2025). The color vowel chart. https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/color-vowel-chart
Language Testing International. (2024, January 26). Foreign language anxiety: What is it and how to overcome It? https://www.languagetesting.com/blog/foreign-language-anxiety-what-is-it-and-how-to-overcome-it/
YouTube. (2023). Clear English Academy with Keenyn Rhodes. https://www.youtube.com/@ClearEnglishAcademyCEA
Speak Confident English. (2024, January 14). #299: Practical steps to be a confident English speaker [myth vs. reality]. https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/practical-steps-to-be-a-confident-english-speaker/
VOA Learning English. (2022, March 24). Give a Persuasive Speech. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/give-a-persuasive-speech-/6498152.html
VOA Learning English. (2024, December 3). Tips for Better Writing. https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/tips-for-better-writing/2453053.html
Need More Help?
Want additional support? Sign up for our group sessions. Take a look at the full workshop schedule. For help signing up and accessing the Academic Support Center, see the How to Book ASC Sessions Page.