Academic Discussions in English

UC Irvine focuses on the language and organization of an academic discussion. Lessons move from developing an idea to responding to other speakers and synthesizing contributions. It is a practical choice for learners who can already communicate in English but want to contribute more clearly in a classroom.

What you will learn

• Develop a point with supporting explanation.
• Respond constructively during a discussion.
• Synthesize ideas from several speakers.

Who this suits

Intermediate English learners preparing for seminar or classroom discussion.

Before you enroll

The teaching language is English, so preview the explanations as well as the exercises. Course completion does not establish a particular proficiency score. Leave time for speaking and writing practice with feedback beyond watching the videos.

Coursera offers paid enrollment or subscription access. Check the enrollment screen for assessment and certificate terms, trials and any financial-aid options. Provider access terms can change; review them before paying.

Put it into practice

Record a short response to a fictional seminar question, then add a follow-up that acknowledges and develops another speaker’s idea.

Source and review

This overview is based on the provider's published information, checked on 12 October 2026. It is an editorial assessment, not a claim that we completed the resource. Time filters are approximate study ranges; projects and exercises can take longer.

View the curriculum and current access options at Coursera.

How YellowCourse describes and checks learning resources.