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Insessional teaching is based in the Language Centre at the University of Leeds.  Our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teaching is now embedded across a wide range of Schools in all Faculties in the University, with EAP academics collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines to support students in developing their understanding of disciplinary academic discourse and literacy requirements. We also work with learning advisors in the library to support all taught students and with the Doctoral College and academic development team to support research students and researchers. 

Language Centre specialists work with colleagues in Schools to unpack the linguistic development processes in learning tasks, uncovering the language knowledge and literacy expertise students need to engage with them successfully - and how these are supported within the design of the curriculum. This can involve co-design of:

• Curriculum (as a plan for student learning) that makes disciplinary language and literacies development explicit, ​e.g. multi-disciplinary PGT credit-bearing module in Chemistry
• Asynchronous teaching resources and learning activities (as a support package around module tasks) e.g. Induction course in Civil Engineering​
• Assessment and support materials, ​e.g. 'writing with academic integrity' in Sociology and Social Policy​
• Staff support, discussions and resources, e.g. in Design on Using student samples of work in the classroom; Language and inclusivity; Managing intercultural communication in student group work, and in Education, 'Embedding academic language and literacies in disciplines’.
• Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, e.g. LITE, Stepping Up, Standing Out​ in SSP & Languages Cultures and Societies.
• Sessions co-delivered by subject academics and EAP experts, e.g. Education UG Level 1 ‘Becoming a Practitioner of Learning’

The type of provision and nature of the collaboration influences the most appropriate funding model. This can include secondments of varying workload, being written into modules and consultation models, for example.

EAP teaching, and insessional teaching in particular, is generally hidden from public view.  This website aims to highlight the importance of this work, and of language and language development for all students, by sharing our practices and scholarship within the EAP community and also more broadly across Higher Education.  Please do engage with us by sharing and commenting on Our Writing and emailing us with questions, suggestions and ideas for further collaboration.  

To discuss insessional provision in your University of Leeds School or Faculty, contact Director of Insessional Michelle Evans.  The Southwest Jiaotong-Leeds Joint School Language Centre Director is Joanne Shiel.