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Learning Academic English in Sault Ste Marie

Academic English is an area of learning that does not get a lot of attention, though it is a content area that students of all backgrounds may struggle with, not to mention a course that most universities require applicants to have in their transcript.

So what is academic English?

Academic English is all about the study of English language and literature. Typically, students in this course practice the style of essay writing they would encounter in degree programs, such as exposition and research papers.

Students in an academic English course would also read more complex and challenging books, "classics," or texts that are critically acclaimed.

Students often find academic English courses challenging because it requires them to communicate in a register typically reserved for formal academic writing. And while it may seem "stuffy" or impractical to write long essays in the age of blogs and video content, the skills students learn in academic English stretch far beyond the course.

Why is Academic English so Important?

Most programs and content based learning areas in university - science, history, chemistry, art, philosophy - will require the student to write a paper or essay to pass the course.

The very skills you practice explicitly in academic English classes are essential to being able to carry out this task. While it may seem strange to think that your grade 12 Shakespeare analysis assignment will help you to write that research paper in a science course, it is very much the same communication skills that you will apply.

Another way to see the importance of academic English is to compare it with its counterpart, social or "everyday" English. We write, speak, and read language quite differently in a school setting than we would in more casual scenarios.

For example, the way you might write a text message to a friend will differ largely from how you write an assignment or analysis. In an academic writing context, you might use more complex sentences or more sophisticated transition words.

Getting Help with an Academic English Tutor

Academic English courses explicitly teach students the communication skills required to thrive in more advanced learning environments. And because it is so different from how we speak, it can be a challenging course to take. For this reason, there are many students that benefit from having an academic English tutor.

Let's take a closer look at what academic English tutoring!

What does Academic English Tutoring Entail?

An English tutor will support you as you strive to meet the expectations of the academic English curriculum. For example, you may find that you must read and analyze a text written hundreds of years ago, by authors like Shakespeare or Jane Austen.

These books use English much differently than how we write or speak today, and can be a challenge to read if it is your first time. A tutor can work with you to understand the story, its themes, and work through different interpretations.

An academic English tutor can also help you with your writing skills. In your course, you may find that you will be tasked with using a variety of transition words, sentence types, and formats.

Your tutor can guide you through the writing process to create assignments that show the quality that is possible when you plan and edit your writing in stages.

Finally, an English tutor can give you feedback on your writing and reading assignments, and help you to prepare for oral presentations. You will find these skills to be useful across multiple subject domains, so it is a great investment in your overall learning!

What Qualifications Should I Look for in an Academic English Tutor?

To find the right academic English tutor, you will want someone that can do much more than speak fluently in English. It is important to have someone with a background or training in English literature, and possibly certification as a teacher.

They should feel comfortable with writing, and understand the course curriculum of the academic English course you are taking.

While it is not essential for a tutor to be a graduate of a university program, you will certainly want one in a program at the very least. This will show that they have the communication skills to study at a high level.

Should I Look for Academic English Tutors Near me or Online?

Academic English tutoring can be just as effective through virtual instruction as it is in-person. This is excellent if you prefer to receive tutoring virtually, or want to work with a tutor that does not live in your region.

To find a strong academic English tutor, look no further than Superprof Canada. The Superprof site has listings for dozens of academic English tutors in Sault Ste Marie and beyond. Contact those that interest you most, and hire the one that suits your needs best.