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English Boost

 

Helping Purdue's international students take their English language and communication skills to new heights!
English Boost offers non-credit support services to help international students and visiting scholars improve their English and communication skills for academic, professional, and personal growth. English Boost provides a flexible menu of workshops and services that students can mix and match to fit their individual needs and busy schedules — ranging from single sessions to multi-semester action plans. Make sure to check out our collection of Language Resources on our site.
TO SEE CURRENT SCHEDULE AND TO ENROLL, CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR REGISTRATION PAGE
Registration notes: Students will need to create a WCOnline account using their Purdue email. Not all classes are offered each semester. Please see our WCOnline schedule for details on current offerings.
  • Open to international students in all Purdue schools and colleges.  Language coaching is individualized to each students’ proficiency and needs.
  • No extra costs to enroll (already included in international student fees).
  • Noncredit-bearing: no grades appear on transcripts but certificates of completion are available.
  • In-person and online options available to accommodate students’ busy class, study, and research schedules.
  • Active, interactive, and personalized learning: Courses and workshops are small and provide students with extensive one-on-one feedback. 
  • Offered during the fall and spring semesters, with limited options in summer.

Coaching offers personalized support for international undergraduate and graduate students to improve spoken and written English. Students can meet one-on-one with a Language Coach for single or recurring sessions to:

  • Assess language skills and create a self-study plan
  • Practice pronunciation, reading, presentations, and more
  • Build fluency and confidence in speaking
  • Get help with academic writing and assignments
  • Prepare for presentations, interviews, and networking events

Registration note: Language coaches are PLaCE instructors who can provide support across all types of academic language topics but have deep expertise in specific language areas. To browse coaches by area of expertise, students can browse by language area in the registration platform.

Short Courses are noncredit mini-classes that typically meet 2-3 hours a week for 8-10 weeks. Workshops are interactive sessions on specific areas of English language or communication that meet 1-2 times a week. Most workshops are organized in series of connected topics so that students can attend sessions across the semester that meet their schedules and needs. 

Registration and Attendance notes:

  • If you cannot consistently attend Short Course classes during the semester, we advise students to enroll in Workshops, Language Coaching, or Conversation Clubs, as these options offer more flexible attendance.
  • Short Courses and Workshops typically start in weeks 2-4 of the semester and finish several weeks before finals to accommodate students' other courses and obligations.

Conversation Clubs offer international students a chance to practice English in fun, social settings while exploring campus and local culture. Take a break from classes to meet new people, engage in small talk, and join field trips to campus and community locations. 

  • American Gaming Culture: Learn English through board and tabletop games while exploring American gaming traditions and culture.
  • Campus Connections: Discover new places and events on campus through weekly discussions and field trips that build vocabulary and community.
  • Purdue Traditions and Sports: Explore Purdue’s unique culture through activities, guest speakers, and visits to sporting and tradition-rich events.
  • Word Café: Build vocabulary through interactive discussions, news analysis, challenges, and field trips—all in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Registration note: Conversation Clubs typically have regularly weekly meetings as well as special events such as game nights, get-togethers, and field trips. Students should register for each event that they plan to attend in the registration platform.

Why participate in English Boost?

  • Improve Your Language Proficiency: Develop your knowledge and skills in core language areas of English, including speaking, listening, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary.
  • Enhance Academic Interactions: Improve your ability to participate in class discussions, present research findings, and collaborate on academic projects.
  • Develop Stronger Social Connections: Gain the skills to engage in meaningful conversations, build lasting friendships, and navigate social situations with ease.
  • Excel in Professional Settings: Learn to communicate effectively in the workplace, from presenting ideas clearly to collaborating with colleagues and networking with industry professionals.
  • Build Confidence: Through personalized practice and feedback, you'll feel empowered to express yourself fluently and clearly in any context.

Tailored Programming

In addition to the core areas, we have the capacity to create tailored programming for university partners, such as specialized workshops, events, and programming. For faculty and college/department/program administrators that work with international students or scholars, we can adapt or tailor our existing offerings to create tailored programs for international students and scholars in their courses, departments, or research groups.
 
If you would like to request a customized or on-site workshop for a class, research group, or club, please email place@purdue.edu to set up a time to discuss.