Communication: Your Key to Success
One of the keys to your success as a graduate student at Georgia Tech is having the ability to communicate confidently in English with your professors and peers in the classroom and in your research.
You will be expected to collaborate on projects, write about and present your research, and network with members of the Georgia Tech community. The Georgia Tech Language Institute is here to help you build the communication skills you need for success in your graduate work.
Semester Courses for Credit
Every semester, the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) and the Language Institute offer credit courses to help non-native English-speaking graduate students improve their communication skills in English. These courses are a semester-long combination of synchronous instruction and individual one-on-one virtual meetings with the instructor.
Spring 2026 (January 12 - May 7, 2026)
CETL 8796: Presentation Skills for International Graduate Students (M/W 11:00 a.m.–11:50 a.m.)
Preparing and delivering effective presentations will be a critical skill in both your academic and professional engagements. This advanced oral presentation skills 2-credit course is designed to help international graduate students develop and improve their presentation skills in academic and professional contexts. Through active collaborative learning, you will:
Explore your presentation skill strengths with learning edges
Practice presentation approaches, techniques, and strategies
Build confidence in delivering presentations and moderating Q&A sessions
Engage in individual feedback sessions with the instructor
CETL 8723: Academic Writing for International Graduate Students (M/W 8:25 a.m.–9:15 a.m.)
In this class, students learn the cultural aspects of academic and technical writing, as well as the principles of organizing ideas clearly, completely, and cohesively. Students analyze common errors in advanced academic writing, practice independent proofreading and editing, and meet one-on-one with the instructor. Coursework may include writing biographies, refining résumés, learning American-style email correspondence, and optional assignments such as acknowledgments, teaching and research statements, and journal paper reviews.
Students register for these courses through the GT Oscar system as they would for other credit courses, by selecting the appropriate semester and searching under subject code Center Enhancement-Teach/Learn.
Short Courses
The Language Institute offers four-week, non-credit short courses designed for graduate students, researchers, and scholars who want focused practice in key areas of English communication. These courses provide practical strategies, guided practice, and individualized support in a small, interactive format.
Spring 2026 Short Course Session (January 12 – February 5)
American Pronunciation (M/W 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m., O’Keefe Building)
This course builds clarity and confidence in spoken English by strengthening key sounds, stress patterns, and intonation. Students receive targeted instructor feedback to improve overall intelligibility for academic and professional settings.
Everyday Conversation (T/Th 9:30 a.m.–11:00 a.m., O’Keefe Building)
This course supports real-life communication on and off campus. Students practice listening, speaking, and conversational strategies to build fluency, expand vocabulary, and participate more comfortably in daily interactions.
Professional Presentation Skills (T/Th 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m., Synchronous Online)
This course helps graduate students plan, structure, and deliver effective academic presentations. Instruction focuses on organization, slide design, and delivery techniques, with opportunities for practice and individualized feedback.
Students may register for these four-week courses through the GTLI Short Courses page. Each course is independent, and students may enroll in one or more courses per session.
700-Level Intensive English Program
The 700 level of the Intensive English Program is designed for advanced graduate students who want to strengthen their academic communication skills at a near-native level. This upper-advanced level focuses on highly refined reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills needed for graduate coursework, research communication, and professional engagement. Students engage in complex academic tasks, develop clear and effective written and oral communication, and apply advanced language strategies required for high-level academic performance.
Learners at this level refine their ability to analyze and evaluate academic texts, produce well-organized and sophisticated writing, lead discussions, deliver polished academic presentations, and engage in nuanced academic and professional communication for both academic and professional contexts.
These non-credit courses are available in in-person and hybrid formats depending on learner needs and program eligibility.