English Language Unit
The primary objectives of the English Language Unit at the University of New York Tirana (UNYT) are to enhance students’ language skills for academic success, facilitate their integration into an English-speaking educational environment, and evaluate the effectiveness of the curriculum and teaching methods. These programs aim to improve student's English language proficiency through courses such as:
ESL (English as a Second Language) is a preparatory course for students whose English needs improvement.
This
course is based on intensive hours of teaching to improve all the skills, including listening, speaking,
reading, and writing. The English Language Unit also seeks to prepare students for the heavy workload
required
for tertiary studies. The Unit is designed to address the specific needs of students with varying English
proficiency backgrounds and to provide them with the necessary language skills to follow their courses in
English effectively.
Composition I aim to give students experience in writing essays for various purposes. An equally important goal is to allow students to practice writing in general and to polish skills in organization, grammar, style, and mechanics. Students also learn the principles of defining research problems and developing research strategies.
Composition II promotes critical thinking, reading, writing, and research within an intercultural context. Clear, coherent, confident, and effective communication, collaborative learning, literary analysis, rhetorical methods, research strategies, and documentation conventions.
Moreover, the Unit aims to enhance students’ motivation and learner autonomy in learning English as a
foreign
language. The program’s activities may include using modern technological equipment, such as interactive
whiteboards, to enhance vocabulary achievement and motivation.
Additionally, the program may involve using
English as a medium of instruction to facilitate the transition to undergraduate programs.
In conclusion, the English Language Unit at UNYT plays a crucial role in equipping students with the
language
skills necessary for academic success, integrating them into an English-speaking educational environment,
and
evaluating the effectiveness of the curriculum and teaching methods.
The Academic Writing Center will provide professional help with academic writing so that students can write more effectively.
Staff:
- Klodjana SKENDAJ, MSc
Kinds of Service: The Academic Writing Center will offer help with:
- Research Paper Structure
- Academic Style
- Citations and References
- Sentence Structure
- Grammar/Spelling
The Academic Writing Center instructors WILL NOT CORRECT/PROOFREAD student papers. We want students to become better writers and we can teach them how to proofread. Students can use other services outside the university, for paper proofreading. The Academic Writing Center will make efforts to provide students with information on other services. However, the Writing Center is not responsible for the quality of these services.
- The Writing Center is open to all registered UNYT students.
- Students must sign up in advance for a 20-minute appointment (if time is available). If necessary and/or if time is available, students can make another 20-minute appointment.
- Students must be there in person; they are not allowed to drop their assignments at the Writing Center.
- Students may come to the Writing Center at any stage of the writing process.
- Students are not supposed to e-mail their papers; the Writing Center instructors and tutors cannot read student papers ahead of time.
- WAP/Composition students should get help from their own instructors for assignments in these particular classes. However, they can use the Writing Center for assignments in other classes.
- In addition to help through conferencing with an instructor/tutor, students will also be provided with handouts and information on helpful online sources.
Some helpful tips
- Plan ahead: come when you start writing or with a first draft.
- Before you come, set an agenda for the tutorial. What do you want to work on?
- Do NOT come at the last minute because you will have little time for revision.
- Do NOT expect to work on too many issues in one tutorial.
Math Center - [email protected]
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the English Language Centre in the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences of the
University of New York Tirana.
Our Unit with English Language Specialists offers various professional development opportunities to facilitate successful academic and social communication among University of New Tirana (UNYT) program students. In this respect, it provides the following services. First, the unit runs the English Preparatory Program, where those students who are new at UNYT but do not have satisfactory English language competence follow up on their classes and study to improve their four language skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The program typically uses a combination of textbooks, multimedia resources, and interactive activities to build vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and Spoken English fluency to express themselves effectively in casual and academic settings.
Secondly, the unit also focuses on the academic English of the students registered at UNYT, which aims to go beyond general English by equipping students with the specific skills needed for academic success in different programs throughout UNYT. This includes understanding complex academic texts, writing research papers and essays, delivering presentations, and participating in scholarly discussions.
Besides, the unit also runs an academic writing activity with specific reasons and purposes to help you further improve your academic writing skills and techniques. First, it is essential to develop an awareness of the University's expectations for its students regarding education and academic writing. Additionally, we provide valuable insights on how to plan your writing and improve your critical thinking skills. The fundamental principles of academic writing, spanning across the three stages of writing, are also covered in detail. We also offer other valuable resources to help you feel more confident about your writing abilities.
Secondly, we aim to help you develop and demonstrate a deep understanding of how to receive helpful feedback on your progress, which will allow you to grow and evolve as a student and further as a young researcher. We believe practicing and improving your writing skills is crucial to gaining knowledge about your subject and communication skills that will serve you well throughout your studies and career. At the core of our efforts lies a shared passion for exploring diverse settings, and we invite you to join us in comprehending our individual and collective approaches, ideas, and actions.
Academic writing encompasses various styles that are typically tailored to specific fields of study. However, the predominant style used at our university is the APA (American Psychological Association) style. This style is essential to rigorous research and is our academic center's foundation. Furthermore, the APA style sets the guidelines for formatting and referencing sources in scholarly writing, which is critical in providing evidence for claims made in research.
The duties of teaching academic writing include developing students' awareness of academic writing expectations, helping them plan their writing and critical thinking, guiding them through the fundamental principles of academic writing, providing them with valuable resources, and assisting them in feeling more confident about writing. Additionally, academic writing instructors may provide feedback on students' writing progress, offer tips and techniques for improving writing skills, and facilitate discussions on the importance of effective communication in academic and professional settings. Academic English and APA style are essential in research writing to ensure effective communication of ideas and proper citation of sources. Adhering to these standards helps establish the credibility and rigor of our student's and future professionals' research. We assist students in achieving their potential through self-awareness, mindset, and ethical learning. We help students realise their potential through self-awareness, perspective, and moral education.
As the Head of the English Language Unit, I am committed to creating a positive, respectful, and fair work and teaching environment that meets the highest international standards. I encourage you to learn more about our outstanding faculty and courses, and I hope you feel motivated to join us soon as a student, partner, or supporter.
If you have any questions, you can reach me at [email protected]
Welcome to your new home, UNYT, once again, and I wish you success in your studies.
Warm regards,
Klodjana Skendaj, Ph.D. Cand., Head of the English Language Centre
The mission of the English Language Unit at UNYT is to enhance students’ language skills for academic success, facilitate their integration into an English-speaking academic environment, flare up a passion for the English language and empower individuals to become confident and effective communicators, unlocking personal and academic potential in a diverse and interconnected world.
The department’s vision is to create a vibrant English language learning environment dedicated to improving students’ language competencies and igniting students’ intellectual exploration and cultural exchange to develop students' communicative abilities and research interests.
Klodjana Skendaj, Ph.D. Cand., Head of the English Language Unit
Eriona Cela, Ph.D.
Granit Zela, Ph.D.
Kinds of Services:
The Writing Unit will offer help primarily in the following areas:
- Steps of the Writing Process
- Structure of Research Papers
- Academic Style
- APA Style – citations and references (Link doc)
- Sentence structure
- Grammar and mechanics
Important Tips:
- Students should plan a Writing Centre tutorial when they encounter difficulties in their writing process and should not wait until the day before the paper is due.
- Students must sign up in advance for as many 15-minute appointments as available with one of the English Department instructors and come to the tutorial with a clear agenda.
- Composition students should get help only from their instructors for assignments in these classes. However, they can use the Writing Centre for assignments in other courses.
- Students must be there in person. Drop-off or emailed assignments are not allowed.
- Students should not expect to have their whole paper proofread by the Writing Centre.
Links for the ESL Course
SAMPLE PROFICIENCY EXAMS / Diagnostic Tests
Free English Video Lessons
Academic Integrity Policies
AI (link to the document) TBDPlagiarism(link to the document) TBD
Klodjana Skendaj, Ph.D. Cand., Head of the English Language Centre
University of New York Tirana,
Ish Shkolla e Mesme Elektrike, rruga e Kavajës, pranë 21 Dhjetorit (Sheshi Ataturk)
Tirane, Shqipëri/Albania
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.unyt.edu.al
Phone: +355 445 12345
