There are no Visiting Scholar Course opportunities at this time. Please check the Short Course page for more part time English study options.
These short courses are designed especially to meet the needs of international visiting scholars and research scientists who are involved in academic research at Georgia Tech. Although many scholars have studied English formally for years in their home countries, they may not have the communication skills in English needed to function comfortably in an American academic environment. Visiting scholars and research scientists often spend much of their time in laboratories, where few opportunities exist to develop their communication skills in English. These courses help scholars break through some of the language and culture barriers and learn effective communication strategies so that they can take full advantage of opportunities to participate in the Georgia Tech academic community.
Short courses for Georgia Tech J-1 visiting scholars and research scientists are available during the Fall and Spring semesters.
Fees and Requirements
Each course is $110. Payment is due in full at the time of application. Tuition is non-refundable after the application deadline.
To complete the application, applicants must submit the following required documents:
- Application form
- Copy of passport
- Copy of J-1 visa
- Copy of DS-2019
- Copy of BuzzCard (if applicable)
Acceptable file types include .pdf, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .doc. To ensure successful processing of your uploaded document, your file must be named in the following format:
- Your Family Name, Your Given Name - Document Type
- Examples:
- Kim, Woo-jin - Passport
- Smith, James - Visa
- Alharbi, Mohammed - DS-2019
- Garcia Lopez, Miguel Angel - Buzzcard
- Examples:
A course may be canceled due to low enrollment. The Language Institute will notify applicants immediately by email if a course is canceled, and applicants will receive a full refund.
Choose the Right Level of Study
The Language Institute does not provide a placement exam for short courses and allows applicants to select their own level of study. Applicants are strongly advised to use our Level Self-Assessment information to help determine which level is best for their current level of English proficiency. There will be no refunds after each sessions deadline.
Schedule
Each class meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 PM to 5:45 PM for four weeks
All classes meet in the O'Keefe Building. (Note that the April 2020 course will be held online.)
Apply Now
Click the yellow box below to access the schedule and application for each upcoming session.
Application Deadlines:
Email askgtli@pe.gatech.edu for more information.
| Dates | High Intermediate to Advanced |
|---|---|
| TBD | TBD* |
This course will be conducted online.
Course Descriptions
Everyday Conversation
Beginning to Intermediate
In this course, students will improve their communication skills for everyday life. They will practice common words and expressions used in personal conversations and also improve pronunciation skills to help listeners understand their message. Students will participate in role-plays to develop both their abilities and confidence in everyday conversational situations.
American Pronunciation
High Intermediate to Advanced
In this course, learners will learn what aspects of their pronunciation may be interfering with how well listeners understand them. Participants will practice mastering the physical processes required to make specific sounds and learn how American English speakers use pausing, phrasing, intonation, linking, and stress in their pronunciation. They will learn strategies and techniques that can make their pronunciation more comprehensible to listeners who may not be familiar with international accents.
Improving Oral Skills
High Intermediate to Advanced
In this course, participants will improve their ability to participate effectively in class discussions and classroom debates on a variety of topics. They will also learn conversational skills that will enhance their oral as well as nonverbal communication.
Academic Presentation Skills
High Intermediate to Advanced
In this course, participants will learn the basic expectations regarding how speakers present themselves and their information in formal academic presentations in the U.S. They will learn and practice techniques and strategies for preparing and presenting successful oral presentations. In addition, they will learn and practice strategies and skills for managing interactions with the audience. The ultimate goals of the course are to increase participants’ knowledge of how to give oral presentations and their confidence in giving oral presentations.