Course Details

English Language and Intercultural Studies

The University of Warwick’s English Language and Intercultural Studies (ELIS) programme is designed for undergraduate students from around the world. It consists of tuition with a focus on the development of the English language and intercultural skills.

It is designed to equip you with the skills, strategies and competencies that you are likely to need in the globally connected world.

You will develop skills in:

Using authentic English
Critical and creative thinking
Presenting
Problem solving
Reading, writing, speaking and listening
Using strategies for intercultural communication Information

Key Information

Level: Introductory

Entry Requirements: Students must be aged 18 or over by the time the programme commences and demonstrate a minimum English proficiency at IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

Applications Open Soon

Syllabus

There are a number of strands delivered as part of the programme:

Communication and Study Skills
In these sessions, you will study and practice your English language skills for both general and academic English. The lessons will be focused on listening and speaking, and reading and writing skills.

Intercultural Communication
These lessons will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and awareness necessary to navigate and engage effectively in a cross-cultural environment. The sessions are designed to foster intercultural competence, enabling participants to understand, appreciate, and adapt to cultural differences in communication styles, social norms, and everyday interactions.

Lecture Programme
The lecture programme has twin aims of developing lecture and seminar skills, as well as giving lectures on aspects of British life, culture, and history.

Cultural Trip Preparation
Before each cultural trip, you will study an integrated skills lesson, which will give you background information and help you to plan and get the most from your trip.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, you should be able to:

Researched and prepared a poster on an intercultural topic
Presented at a poster presentation event
Researched and contributed to a multi-modal “Visit UK” research project
Contributed to a multi-modal presentation

Teaching and Assessment

The University of Warwick’s educational approach is based on:

A clear understanding of students’ learning needs
Activities that reflect the uses to which students will need English in an increasingly globalised work environment
An interactive student learning environment where students engage in real, task-based communication, and the teacher directs and facilitates learning
Warwick’s unique open-space teaching method utilising drama as a means of learning; Authentic materials that reflect the uses of English in real academic contexts and therefore respond to students’ future study needs
Content is drawn from undergraduate and master degree programmes and delivered by University of Warwick professors and tutors

Programme Projects

You will work in groups to explore and research aspects of British culture, making comparisons and reflecting on differences with your own home culture. There are two projects.

Poster presentation
Multi-modal presentation

At the end of the programme, each group will formally present the results of their project to their tutors and fellow group members, answer questions, and discuss any points of interest with the audience.

There will be the opportunity to reflect upon how the experience of completing the project has enhanced your effectiveness as students.

Entry Requirements

Students must be aged 18 or over by the time the programme commences and demonstrate a minimum English proficiency at IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

English Language Requirements for ELIS

Participants must demonstrate a minimum English proficiency at IELTS 4.5 or equivalent. We accept all major English language tests as evidence, for example:

IELTS
Pearson PTE
Duolingo
TOEFL iBT
TOEIC
CET4/CET6
EIKEN
GTEC
Cambridge English Qualification

You will be asked to upload evidence with your online application. If you are not able to produce evidence or do not have a valid test result, please notify us and we will arrange to assess your English language proficiency.

Your Teachers

Lecturers

Daniel Jones - Short Courses Programme Director

Penny Mosavian - Assistant Professor

Lynnette Richards – Assistant Professor

Miriam Schwiening – Assistant Professor

Accommodation

Accommodation:

For the duration of the programme, you will either live in Student Halls of Residence based on the University of Warwick campus or student accommodation located in Coventry City Centre. You will have a single en-suite study bedroom with bedding included. All bills are included.

Discover the Warwick campus hereLink opens in a new window.

Sample Timetable (4 weeks)

Subject to changes, this is an overview of a previous 4-week timetable for English Language and Intercultural Studies students.

Week	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
Week 1	Introduction Placement test Welcome lunch Campus tour	Intercultural Communication Introduction to the projects	Lecture Programme Japanese language exchange	Lecture programme Lecture programme	Cultural trip preparation	Full-day trip to Oxford
Week 2	Communication and study skills	Intercultural Communication Project development and tutorials	Communication and study skills Pub Quiz	Lecture programme Project work	Cultural trip preparation	Full day trip to Warwick Castle and Birmingham
Week 3	Communication and study skills Independent study	Intercultural Communication Project development and tutorials	Communication and studyskills Sports day	Lecture programme Project work	Cultural trip preparation	Full day trip to London
Week 4	Communication and study skills Independent study	Intercultural Communication Project development and tutorials	Communication and studyskills Free time	Lecture programme Poster Presentation event	Visit UK presentations	Departure Day

Please note that changes to the syllabus and teaching team may be made over the coming months before the exact set of topics is finalised.