Language Center

Within the current phase of the Cooperation in Forest Research Ukraine-Switzerland, in autumn 2026 we  are offering a course: 

Academic writing in English B1 – C1 

The course addresses participants who work in an academic context in Ukraine. It is held by Rupert  Taylor from the Language Center of UZH and ETH Zurich, coordinated by the Swiss Federal Institute of  Forest, Snow and Landscape WSL and financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and  Innovation SERI. 

Entry requirements/Level of course 

Participants should already have reached the B1 level as defined in the Common European Framework  of Reference for Languages. They do not have to have work in progress to benefit from the course. Learning outcomes 

After completing this course, participants are able to: 

• Plan, draft, and edit texts in English 
• Structure and write clear, reader-friendly texts in a style which allows for communication with  both specialized and broader academic and professional communities 
• Use AI tools more effectively to edit and improve their work 
• Use generally accurate vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structures 
• Accurately assess their own effectiveness as writers of academic English and identify areas in  which further development is needed 

Content and approach 

The course covers various types of writing that might be used in an academic or professional context,  including essays, reports, summaries, proposals, and different sections of academic papers. The course  helps participants to expand their formal vocabulary and knowledge of complex grammar, including  exploration of how AI tools can be used to edit and improve their texts. Participants will learn to  analyze typical structures for academic writing, including introductions, conclusions, and abstracts.  

Assignments include descriptive, discursive (comparative), and persuasive writing, and participants  are encouraged to tailor both the assignments and their vocabulary acquisition to their subject  material and personal needs. Each lesson comprises a mixture of elements, including lectures on  grammar and structures, individual tasks, peer editing of drafts, and workshop-style discussions.  Active participation is expected. 

Schedule for this online course  

• Session 1: Friday 4th Sept, 09:15-12:30 (Ukrainian time)
• Session 2: Friday 11th Sept, 09:15-12:30
• Session 3: Friday 18th Sept, 09:15-12:30
• Session 4: Friday 25th Sept, 09:15-12:30
• Session 5: Friday 2nd Oct, 09:15-12:30

Assessment, ECTS points, and workload 

Successful completion of the course entitles participants to 2 ECTS points. Writing assignments are set  as homework and discussed in class in peer-editing sessions. To obtain a grade, a passing grade must  be received on a portfolio of such assignments, which is submitted near the end of the course. 

Materials 

Course materials are provided online. 

Application 

The number of participants is limited to 15. Please apply till June 30, 2026 st by performing the Academic English course needs-assessment task. 

Instructions for applicants  

1. Watch the video Does planting trees actually cool the planet? →  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbxmH_Kj7fk 

• You can watch the video as many times as you like.
• You can turn on subtitles.
• You can note some key words.

2. Record a 2-minute audio or video clip of yourself improvising a summary of the video.  • The goal of this exercise is for you to speak as freely and spontaneously as possible, without  reading from a text. This will allow us to properly assess your English so we can adjust the  content and structure of the course to meet the needs of the group.  

• To that end, please do not use any AI tools to prepare your response. This is not an assessment for a grade – we just want to get an idea of your strengths and weaknesses in English so we can create a better course!  

3. Send your recording to Ця електронна адреса захищена від спам-ботів. Вам необхідно увімкнути JavaScript, щоб побачити її.. Any audio or video file type is OK