UCAE news

Asynchronous study materials are used extensively across the HE sector; however, as with all self-study materials they come with a set of challenges for both the student and the materials developer. Among these challenges is the issue of self regulation, that is the process by which learners actively plan, monitor, and control their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours to achieve their learning goals. While we in UCAE have used a variety of techniques to produce materials that aid students in their self regulation, we feel that AI might be particularly useful in this area. 

Over the summer, work was started on a project to assess the use of AI chatbots embedded into some of our asynchronous study materials. This was very much exploratory in nature and aimed at preparing for a larger scale study this coming semester. Our two main areas of interest are: the development of a valid and reliable tool to measure the impact on self regulation; and also to develop students AI literacy skills and to monitor how student engage with AI tools for a variety of purposes.

For more information on the project please contact us 

Craig Davis, Senior Language Tutor and assessment lead for the Pre-sessional courses has been appointed to the role of Associate Director for Assessment in the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures Teaching and Learning team. Craig took up the role in March with a 3-year tenure, ending in August 2028.

The main focus of the role is to ensure successful assessment delivery across SALC through collaboration with academic and professional service colleagues to promote good practice in assessment design, delivery, marking, and feedback and review and develop guidance and policy to ensure assessment practices remain aligned with University standards and support colleagues and students.

Craig will also chair the School Assessment Committee, bringing together assessment coordinators to share practice, address emerging issues, and support strategic development.

Communicating Across Cultures workshops are developed and delivered by UCAE for hospitality colleagues working across our institution. First run in 2024, with a second cohort in 2025, the Centre looks forward to its third iteration in 2026.

In their daily interactions, hospitality colleagues enjoy conversations with students and visitors from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This includes many who may be new to communicating in English in a UK context, such as international students embarking on their HE journeys in Manchester.

Working in a University means we all have a wealth of practical experience ‘communicating across cultures’. Our popular workshops are designed to share these experiences, discuss common linguistic challenges and explore solutions in a collaborative environment.

 For more information on the workshops, please contact us.

UCAE have collaborated with the Careers Service to deliver a series of workshops to support international students in the UK job market.

Developing Confidence workshops are delivered as part of a series of workshops to provide targeted information and skills useful in the UK job market.

The two workshops designed and run by the UCAE focus on developing a skillset for answering interview questions and for taking part in assessment centres, both of which are central to job hunting in the UK. They are engaging and interactive, with lots of opportunities for practice. The workshops are designed to give participants an insight into what employers want to learn about them and to allow them to prepare for their job searches with confidence.

The workshops are delivered by the UCAE with a member of the Careers Service also in attendance to answers additional questions about the UK careers market. As well as providing a useful chance for practice in a friendly environment, participants receive useful feedback and advice during the sessions.

For more information, please contact us.

The 6th UCAE Conference took place on 14 February 2025. This was our largest and most ambitious to date, with over 60 attendees on campus and almost 100 online. With the theme "Innovative Approaches to Academic English Language Teaching and Testing", the conference included talks, poster presentations, workshops and a panel discussion on a wide range of topics, such as in-sessional academic support, Generative AI and the future of assessment. Being free of charge for, the UCAE conference is an accessible platform for both experienced practitioners and those newer to the field of EAP to share their work and build connections, reinforcing UCAE’s commitment to advancing inclusive EAP practice.

Building on this success, UCAE's 7th conference will be held on 27 March, 2026 with the theme "The Future of EAP"

Due to the success of last year’s hybrid format, the year’s conference will also be hybrid and free to attend. The full programme and registration details will be available from early March.

For more information, please contact the UCAE conference team.