A new take on teaching English

Dr Julia Miller has combined her interest in innovative teaching methods and teaching online to create a clever, new english learning platform.

Her English for Uni website, which went live in 2012, offers a range of engaging and amusing videos aimed at teaching difficult grammar and academic writing concepts.

The short story video series provides entertaining examples and explanations of how, and why, English is used in certain ways. The site also provides associated worksheets and feedback to extend the learning process.

Dr Miller and her team have designed the website for anyone who wishes to progress their English skills. It is suitable for a range of users, from teachers and people learning English as an additional language, through to anyone who wants to refine their grammar skills.

"It's an interesting, engaging and effective way to learn English that is based on research," said Dr Miller. "The students really seem to like it because it's so creative."

The video series covers topics including the use of articles and passive voice as well as essay writing and oral presentation skills. While these subjects are usually ones that students shy away from, the videos make them simple and fun to learn.

The English for Uni site currently achieves around 1,000 page views per week. Dr Miller is looking forward to the click rate heading much higher as a result of an increased presence on social media.

Thanks to a $220,000 Office for learning and Teaching grant from the Federal government, Dr Miller is nearing completion of a new selection of videos to add to the site's current collection.

The new videos include "With a Revolver in the library", "you've got Talent" and "If you love Me," which is loosely based on a popular Chinese dating show, currently airing on SBS.

"We're hoping that 'If you love Me' will be really popular in China," said Dr Miller. "We're going to contact the people who make the show and tell them about it, once it's ready."

Dr Miller is quick to acknowledge that the project is the result of a concerted University of Adelaide team effort. Major contributors include Dr Fernando Marmolejo- Ramos from the School of Psychology, kayoko Enomoto from the Discipline of Asian Studies, the School of Education's Richard Warner and Associate Professor Ben McCann from the Discipline of French Studies.

Dr Miller plays a role in all of the videos. Many international students, including three PhD candidates from the School of Education, also have starring roles. In addition, numerous other people from around the University of Adelaide have given up their time to assist in whichever way they can.

The website is free to access and definitely worth a visit. Take a look at www.adelaide.edu.au/english-for-uni