The Language + Writing Support Programme is run by the Union for international students studying at UCL.
We're here to help non-native English speaking students with their academic writing and speaking. Our Peer Tutors run several different types of free activities to help you with your written and spoken English, including a regular programme of workshops and one-to-one sessions.
Meet our Peer Tutors
Federico Sadie
Hi everyone! My name is Federico and I am a Law student at UCL. I grew up in London, but my family is originally from the Philippines. At home, I speak English and Tagalog with my family, but I also speak a handful of other languages from working in other countries. I am a qualified TEFL teacher, and I also work as a staff writer and editor for various legal publications. I want to make sure that these lessons are insightful, supportive, but most importantly, fun! I’ve worked with learners from all backgrounds, so I’ll always try to adapt these sessions to whatever learning style suits you best. Looking forward to meeting all of you!
Sue Nolan
Hello! My name is Sue, and I'm from Ireland. I'm a first-year PhD student in Early Modern Studies at UCL, but I previously studied English at UCL for my undergraduate degree. I have experience in journalism and editing, as well as tutoring English language and literature alongside extensive experience of writing and proofreading essays. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!
What do we offer?
One-to-one appointments
You can book a 30 minute, one-to-one appointment with our Peer Tutors to discuss specific pieces of written work or get help with oral presentations. The aim of appointments is to help non-native English speaking students with their academic writing and speaking.
These appointments are not 'classes'; a one-to-one session is there for you to discuss assignments you are working on, focussing on areas you are finding difficult and particular queries you may have.
Visit our bookings page to book a one-to-one appointment.
Conversation Café
If you would like to practice your spoken English, come along to our Conversation Café - an informal drop-in session where you can meet our Peer Tutors and have a chat with other international students.
Our next Conversation Café sessions will be taking place in Term 2. We will publish our Term 2 Conversation Café dates in January.
Workshops
Our workshops cover a variety of academic and cultural topics. They are run by our Peer Tutors and have a mixture of lecture-style teaching, as well as opportunities to practice the skills being taught with the other students.
Our next workshops will be taking place in Term 2. We will publish our Term 2 workshop dates in January.
Things we can help with
We want you to become a better editor of your own work and here's what our Peer Tutors can do to help:
- Go through your work with you and help you to self-correct
- Give you guidance on the structure, formation and language of your work
- Point out language mistakes - but they are not proof readers!
- Help you to prepare and practice for oral presentations, they'll give you feedback on your fluency and pronunciation
- Specific questions and queries are also welcome
The Peer Tutors cannot review take home exams, and can't comment on the content of your essay or presentations, only the clarity of expression.
The Important Stuff
- If you are using the service for writing support, you need to submit a piece of writing to be reviewed, at least 48 hours in advance. Don’t worry if you haven’t finished it, just submit as much as much as you can. The work must be no more than 1000 words.
- If you are using the service for language support, your presentation should be no longer than 10 minutes and will need to be submitted before your appointment with the Peer Tutor.
- Appointments last for 30 minutes.
- You can amend a booking 48 hours in advance. However, if you simply miss your appointment you will not be able to reschedule.
- Peer Tutors are only able to assist non-native English speaking international students. Language Centre students are not able to use the service. One-to-one appointments are available to all other international students, but are mainly aimed at undergraduates in their first and second year of study. Postgraduate research students are encouraged to seek support from their supervisor in the first instance.