Written by Julie McEvoy, Academic Manager for In-Sessional Programmes at OIDI
Studying abroad brings many positive experiences for international students, but it’s not without its challenges. For some, studying in a second language is one of the biggest, with the need to learn academic English to an appropriate level making the task of understanding academic expectations in a higher education setting all the more tricky.
It falls to universities to provide the support these students need to thrive, with one study finding that institutional support, including academic English provision, is linked to improved student engagement and learning outcomes across international cohorts. In-sessional English programmes are a popular solution at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, the aim of them being to support students in developing and refining academic language and study skills, whatever their backgrounds and proficiency level. Here’s how these programmes can help you level up your international student support.
How in-sessional English programmes work
In-sessional English courses are incorporated into university timetables and help bring international students up to speed with academic requirements across the four key English language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. These programmes are also useful for students who already have a high level of English, offering opportunities to improve their communication, expand their vocabulary and refine necessary study skills within each of these areas, such as:
- Reading: understanding the structure of academic articles, how to find information through skimming and scanning techniques, and critically analysing research
- Writing: learning various academic styles and appropriate structure, avoiding plagiarism with references and citations, paraphrasing and summarising, and using academic vocabulary
- Listening: understanding how lectures are structured and how to take notes effectively
- Speaking: presentation skills and taking part in seminar discussions
Whatever the student’s proficiency level, there’s research to show that having the opportunity to practice academic English with others via in-sessional programmes enhances their confidence, boosts their critical reading and writing skills and bolsters a sense of belonging. Another study found that non-native English speakers reported significantly higher academic language challenges and lower self-efficacy, reinforcing the need for continued support such as that offered by in-sessional programmes.
A recent internal survey of 250 international students enrolled on our In-sessional English programme across UK institutions reinforces this impact.
72% reported the greatest improvements in their writing and speaking, while 95% highlighted presentation skills and essay writing – including grammar and academic vocabulary – as the most valuable elements of the course. Crucially, 90% said they were able to apply these skills immediately in their degree studies, particularly in presentations and academic essays.
Critical thinking
One area sometimes overlooked in assessing the value of university English programmes is critical thinking – something that research shows international students often struggle with. When they’ve been used to a different educational background, getting to grips with the unfamiliar expectations of critical thinking and argumentation frameworks in a new country’s academic system can be a challenge.
For example, if a student has been used to an academic environment characterised by rote learning and a stricter teacher-student hierarchy, they may find it hard to adjust to the differing academic expectations of your institution. An in-sessional programme teaches them that critical thinking involves analysis, evaluation and synthesis, and that it’s a space where factual, open debate is encouraged.
Digital literacy
In-sessional courses also support students in developing their digital literacy skills, introducing them to your Virtual Learning Environments (such as Moodle) and instructing them in how to use your library and academic databases. Collaborative tools, such as Microsoft Teams, encourage peer learning and support, and align with guiding students on how to communicate with peers and university staff members in an appropriate, professional manner.
No discussion of digital literacy in academia would be complete without some mention of AI, in this case against the backdrop of the EAP-AIAS framework, which teaches ethical AI use within English for Academic Purposes contexts. In-sessional English courses now cover how to use AI tools with academic integrity – namely as a support for independent learning and language development – and how to understand their limitations and biases. It’s also important that students are made aware of the potential academic misconduct consequences if they use AI inappropriately.
The whole academic community benefits
Depending on your university’s needs, in-sessional English material can be adapted to ensure that it’s directly relevant to the student’s degree choice, as well as focusing on open communication with lecturers to allow for specific student needs. Indeed, while the aim of in-sessional English programmes is to develop and refine academic language and study skills in individual students, the benefits of these courses extend beyond these.
These programmes support an inclusive learning environment and help international students build the confidence to participate alongside domestic students, increasing motivation, engagement and a sense of belonging for everyone on the course. These benefits, in turn, contribute to higher retention and progression rates, with a recent study by Pagliarello et al finding that integrated academic support and staff collaboration improved international student integration and retention. Another, by Rolbina et al. (2025), found that digitally delivered peer support enhanced academic self-efficacy and grades among international students – something that contributes to overall university rankings, too.
Find out more
In-sessional English programmes play a critical role in ensuring international student success, with time and effort spent in supporting this group of students beneficial to the whole university community. Far from simply teaching new vocabulary, in-sessional English courses teach students a whole new approach to academic study, improving their critical thinking and digital literacy at the same time as boosting confidence and a sense of belonging.
Find out how OIDI can support your institution in offering these invaluable courses.
