Writing academic texts with correct referencing, well-developed reasoning and clear structure is a challenge for many students, regardless of subject or linguistic background. This is why the Language Workshops at Linköping University offer support in both Swedish and English – a resource that has become increasingly important as demands for language skills and clear communication continue to rise.
“We meet many students who get their first exam scripts back with feedback saying that they haven’t answered the question. We can help them understand what is actually being asked, how to develop their reasoning, create context in the text and structure their answer, says Birgitte Saxtrup Hermansson, lecturer who works at the Swedish Language Workshop.
Support for all – regardless of level
The Language Workshops are open to all students at LiU and offer both individual guidance and drop-in sessions. Many meetings take place digitally via Zoom, but there are also opportunities to meet in Studenthuset on Campus Valla or at Campus Norrköping.
Anna Nilsen“We have students from their first semester to their last, when it’s time to write the degree project. Some have Swedish as a second language, others have dyslexia or neuropsychiatric conditions – but we also meet many who are already strong and want to further refine their language”, says Birgitte Saxtrup Hermansson.
For those who want support and help with academic writing in English, Academic English Support is available.
“It’s often international students who contact us. They come to a new university with new academic conventions and need to understand how to write academic texts in a Swedish context. Here, there’s a strong focus on independent reasoning and developing your own thinking, which some are not used to,” says Maria Strääf, associate professor who works with English-language support.
Swedish students who want to sharpen their academic English, regardless of level, are also welcome to contact Academic English Support.
Helping students to help themselves – and ‘Dare to Speak’ courses
The services offered are not about proofreading or correcting texts, but about strengthening the student’s own ability to write, reason and structure their work.
“We help the student raise their linguistic level, create coherence and refer clearly, correctly and in their own words,” says Maria Strääf.
In addition to help with academic writing, oral presentations are a common challenge – especially for students who experience speaking anxiety. To meet this need, the Swedish Language Workshop offers Dare to Speak courses every semester.
“They work a bit like CBT and are for students who find it difficult to speak in front of a group. The courses are free of charge and don’t give any credits, but can make a big difference,” says Birgitte Saxtrup Hermansson.
Within Academic English Support there is also support related to oral communication, although the main focus is on writing.
“Students, both Swedish and international, who don’t have English as their native language, may feel insecure about giving presentations in English: how words are pronounced, how to gain fluency. We show them exercises and listening techniques that can help them improve their English pronunciation,” says Maria Strääf.
The Language Workshops are part of the university’s commitment to high-quality education – and, indirectly, a way to strengthen LiU’s international profile.
“The standard of language must be at the same high level as the education,” says Maria Strääf.
New function in the university's learning platform
To make the Language Workshops more visible, a new feature has been developed in the university’s learning platform, Lisam. A button in students’ digital course rooms will, from next term, lead directly to the Language Workshops’ pages on the intranet, where students can easily book an appointment or find guidance on academic writing.
“Students are most active in their course rooms, not on the intranet. With this button, we are where the students are, which makes us much easier to find,” says Birgitte Saxtrup Hermansson.
In the future, they see several opportunities for further development, not least in relation to AI.
“We want to help students use AI as a tool to develop their language, not replace it. It’s about taking responsibility for your own thinking and writing,” says Maria Strääf.
“We also see that oral examinations may become more common, which means our support in presentation techniques will be even more important in the future,” says Birgitte Saxtrup Hermansson.
