Preparing for graduate school in the United States can be nerve-wracking. Many international students have questions about what the programs are like and what resources they can use to excel in their studies. This course allows potential and incoming international students to practice their communication skills, identify tools that support academic success, and gain confidence as they prepare for their advanced degrees.
Alongside advancing your English skills, get the chance to hear from international students who have attended graduate school in the United States as they explain how they adapted to campus life, utilized resources, and fostered community on their new campus. Throughout the course, learners from across the world can connect with other students to dive deeper into course topics, discuss perspectives, and network.
Welcome to the first module of our course! Each module, we'll give you a brief overview of what's ahead, which we like to call "This module in a nutshell" - a short summary of the content you can expect, just like the content that fits into the shell of a nut. During this module, we have five lessons lined up for you. First, we'll introduce the course and what it has to offer. Then, we will guide you in crafting a professional self-introduction. Moving on to the third and fourth lesson, you'll gain insights about the differences between undergraduate and graduate study, and select a "target institution" to explore throughout this course. Lastly, a brief graded quiz will help you review what you've learned in this entire module.
Getting Ready for Graduate School (From the U-M Rackham Graduate School)•2 minutes
Introducing Your Target Institution•1 minute
8 readings•Total 80 minutes
Course Syllabus•10 minutes
Help Us Learn More About You!•10 minutes
Introduce Your Personal Pronouns•10 minutes
Practice a First Video Self-Introduction•10 minutes
Introduction to the Gamut Workbook Tool•10 minutes
Typical Differences Between Undergraduate and Graduate School•10 minutes
Additional Resources on Undergraduate vs. Graduate School•10 minutes
Select Your Target Program/Institution•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module 1 Quiz•15 minutes
3 app items•Total 90 minutes
Gamut: Improve Your Self-Introduction•30 minutes
Gamut: Analyze a Video Featuring Your Target Institution•30 minutes
Gamut: Acronyms and Abbreviations•30 minutes
3 discussion prompts•Total 28 minutes
Reflection: Walking in New Shoes•10 minutes
Differences Between Undergraduate and Graduate School in the U.S.•10 minutes
Reflection: Getting Ready for Graduate School•8 minutes
Module 2: English for Introducing Yourself Professionally
Module 2•3 hours to complete
Module details
Welcome to Module 2 of Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S.In the following lessons, we’ll be exploring short professional self-introductions, also called “Elevator pitches.” Then, we will be exploring ways to add to your language toolbox to introduce yourself professionally. After that, we’ll introduce some tools you can use to explore campus language use more generally. And finally, you will be putting this module’s pieces together to formulate your own professional elevator pitch.
Introduction to MICASE Transcribed Real Speaking Situations•12 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Introduction to MICASE•10 minutes
Introduction to Vocabulary.com to Generate Personalized Lists and Quizzes•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 25 minutes
Module 2 Quiz•15 minutes
Language for Introducing Yourself Professionally•10 minutes
4 app items•Total 120 minutes
Gamut: Analyzing Example Elevator Pitches•30 minutes
Gamut: Verbs to Describe Your Experience•30 minutes
Gamut: Using Generative AI to Learn Vocabulary for Communicating on Campus•30 minutes
Gamut: Compose Your First Draft Elevator Pitch•30 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
Your First and Second Language Self•10 minutes
Module 3: English for Interactive Learning & Teamwork
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
Welcome to Module 3 of Preparing for Graduate Study in the U.S. We’ll begin looking at the many ways in which graduate student learning takes place in small groups or teams as well as the various roles we may play in groups. We will ponder on how to advocate for the roles we wish to play when negotiating group responsibilities and reflect on collaboration opportunities in your target graduate program.
How Diverse Groups Can Positively Impact Learning•1 minute
Tips to Promote Mutual Understanding in Groups•2 minutes
Working with Other Graduate Students•8 minutes
Language for Negotiating One's Group Tasks (Part 1)•3 minutes
Language for Negotiating One's Group Tasks (Part 2)•2 minutes
2 readings•Total 20 minutes
Negotiating Group Roles•10 minutes
Introducing Two Videos on Group Dynamics•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module 3 Quiz•15 minutes
1 app item•Total 60 minutes
Gamut: Profile an Example of Graduate Student Collaboration•60 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 45 minutes
How Diverse Groups Can Positively Impact Learning•10 minutes
Tips to Promote Mutual Understanding in Groups•10 minutes
Negotiating Group Roles•15 minutes
Group Task Negotiation Strategies•10 minutes
Module 4: English for Research and Scholarship
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
Of course the primary reason to pursue graduate studies is to learn about and participate in research and scholarship in your field. This module, we'll be looking at framing our own expertise, collaborating with faculty, and conventions around engaging with published scholarly writing.
Introducing Your Research (From U-M Engineering)•3 minutes
Ownership and Sharing of Scholarship•1 minute
Navigating Faculty Interactions to Narrow Research Focus•2 minutes
Communicating and Collaborating With Faculty•7 minutes
5 readings•Total 50 minutes
Two Ways to Explore Language Use, Organization, and Citations in Academic Writing•10 minutes
Strategy 1: Conduct Google Scholar Searches •10 minutes
Strategy 2: Use a Generative AI Tool•10 minutes
Introduction to Module 4 Lesson 3•10 minutes
Instruction for "Communicating With Faculty at Your Target Institution" Activity•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 15 minutes
Module 4 Quiz•15 minutes
1 app item•Total 30 minutes
Gamut: Communicating With Faculty at Your Target Institution•30 minutes
4 discussion prompts•Total 80 minutes
Getting to Know Other Graduate Students in Your Cohort•10 minutes
Exploring Academic Integrity•30 minutes
Citation Practice: Situating Yourself in Your Discipline•20 minutes
Communicating and Collaborating With Faculty•20 minutes
Module 5: English in Campus Life
Module 5•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this last module of our course together, we'll turn our attention to the transition to graduate student life on a new campus. We'll identify ways to connect with individuals and groups, and to foster a supportive community around us. We'll cap off the course with a "final draft" version of everyone's elevator pitches.
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
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This cousre have change my life and future project that i have in mind, the journey was tough but not imposible to accomplish thanks you very much.
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