Welcome to
Smart English Class

Learn academic English skills online.

For students

For teachers

For students

Are you planning to go to an English speaking university?
Do you need to improve your academic English skills for your tertiary studies?

Smart English Class will teach you how to improve your Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening as well as Grammar. All course material is delivered online and you can repeat lessons at any time.

Learn English anywhere, on any device with lessons designed for students learning alone. You will have unlimited access to all courses you are enrolled in.

For teachers

The new way forward for teaching English in the classroom.

All students come prepared with their own laptop or tablet or even mobile phone to class and have access to all lessons. No more lost papers and handouts or forgotten text books, it's all in one place on the students' own device. This is the environmentally friendly and productive classroom.

No need to book the library or computer room. Everything you and your students need is right here - the students own computer will be able to deliver the course lessons, access the Internet for research and open up documents to complete all tasks and assignments.

Courses & pricing

Courses that will prepare students for academic tertiary studies in English.

Academic English Course For Students

AU $50 Enrol Includes all units

Units

Description

1. Journal Writing

Learn how to write regularly in English in an informal way.

1.1.1 Writing Write about your past week
1.1.2 Speaking Record yourself speaking about your past week
1.1.3 Listening Listen to Jane talking about her past week and record answers in a chart (02:08 minutes) includes transcript and answers
1.1.4 Grammar Past simple tense – explanation and activities – 10 questions, includes answers
1.1.5 Reading Read a journal entry and answer 10 comprehension questions with answers (438 words)
1.1.6 Writing Write a journal entry
1.1.7 Speaking Speak about your journal entry
1.1.8 Task 13 topics for further journal writing

Free Enrol

2. Reading Books

Learn how to read in English to increase your understanding of vocabulary and grammar.

2.1.1 Reading Read the beginning of a short story A Mouthful by Paul Jennings (583 words)
2.1.2 Writing Answer 8 comprehension questions, includes answers
2.1.3 Speaking Make predictions about the ending of the short story
2.1.4 Listening Listen to the final part of the short story (01:45 minutes) includes transcript
2.1.5 Writing Answer 10 comprehension questions, includes answers
2.1.6 Writing Write about the plot, characters and setting of the short story, includes answers
2.1.7 Task Prepare an oral review of a book, includes questions as a guide

AU $5 Enrol

3. Autobiography

Learn how to read and write an autobiography using first person point of view and past tense.

3.1.1 Writing Write about your own life using a timeline
3.1.2 Grammar Point of View - First, Second and Third Person - explanation and activities, 5 questions including answers
3.1.3 Speaking Speak about your own life
3.1.4 Listening Listen to an interview with Anh Do (7:01 minutes), answer 8 comprehension questions, includes answers
3.1.5 Grammar Superlative adjectives, explanation and activities, 6 questions including answers
3.1.6 Reading Read an excerpt from Anh Do’s autobiography The Happiest Refugee (738 words)
3.1.7 Writing 10 comprehension questions includes answers

AU $5 Enrol

4. Reading News Reports

Learn how to read news reports in English and write your own.

4.1.1 Reading Answer 9 questions about the news, watch a video about a piece of news (1:07 minutes) then read the news article (226 words)
4.1.2 Writing Comprehension questions includes answers
4.1.3 Grammar Direct and indirect quotes, 9 comprehension questions includes answers
4.1.4 Reading Read a news article and put the sentences into the correct order, includes answers (144 words)
4.1.5 Listening Listen to a report of the news article from 4.1.4 (0:28 minutes)
4.1.6 Reading Read a news article and put the sentences into the correct order, includes answers (150 words)
4.1.7 Speaking Discuss 6 possible news stories using 6 different photos
4.1.8 Task Write your own news report of 150 words including a headline, introduction, body and quotes, includes questions as a guide

AU $5 Enrol

5. Paragraph Writing

Learn how to write a paragraph correctly with a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

5.1.1 Reading Read an example paragraph and recognise the different parts of it, answer 5 questions on the Olympic Games (82 words)
5.1.2 Grammar Simple, compound and complex sentences, coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions
5.1.3 Activity 10 comprehension questions on grammar includes answers
5.1.4 Writing Write the names of different Olympic sports from 6 photos
5.1.5 Reading Read a paragraph and put the sentences into the correct order, includes answers (97 words)
5.1.6 Writing Write about the Paralympics after watching a video using 3 questions, includes answers
5.1.7 Listening Listen to a paragraph being read aloud and fill in the missing words (0:37 minutes) (102 words), includes answer
5.1.8 Writing Write a paragraph about the Youth Olympic Games using notes and a video as a guide (1:10 minutes)
5.1.9 Speaking Record the paragraph
5.1.10 Task Write a paragraph of 100-150 words about an Olympic sport

AU $5 Enrol

6. Scanning, Skimming & Note-taking

Learn how to scan and skim readings to find specific information, then how to take notes effectively from reading and listening texts.

6.1.1 Reading Scan a catalogue and answer 10 comprehension questions, includes answers
6.1.2 Reading Skim 3 blurbs and answer 10 comprehension questions, includes answers
6.1.3 Reading Note-taking symbols with answer key, skim a biography to answer 3 comprehension questions includes answers, read the biography (277 words) and relevant notes example
6.1.4 Reading Skim a second biography (337 words) to answer 3 comprehension questions includes answers, read the biography
6.1.5 Writing Take your own notes on the second biography, sample answer included
6.1.6 Listening Listen to a You Tube video on a Paralympian (2:13 minutes) and answer 9 comprehension questions, includes answers, listen to a biography of the Paralympian (1:41 minutes) and take notes, transcript and sample notes included
6.1.7 Reading How to reference correctly
6.1.8 Task Research an Olympian from a listening and a reading text and take notes

AU $5 Enrol

7. Listening to Lectures

Learn how to take effective notes while listening to lectures.

7.1.1 Reading Take notes on 5 questions and read the introduction to a lecture (101 words)
7.1.2 Listening Listen to the lecture (11:05 minutes)
7.1.3 Writing Complete a note-taking template, includes answers, respond with a written paragraph of your opinion on the topic
7.1.4 Reading Take notes on 4 questions and read the first part of a lecture (240 words), includes answers, skim the reading to answer 6 comprehension
7.1.5 Listening Listen to the lecture and take notes using headings as a guide (9:43 minutes), sample note-taking answers included
7.1.6 Speaking Speak using notes to tell what the lecture was about
7.1.7 Task Choose a different lecture to listen to and take notes on, then speak using notes to tell what the lecture was about

AU $5 Enrol

8. Biography

Learn how to read and write a biography using third person point of view and past tense.

8.1.1 Writing Write about someone’s life using a timeline
8.1.2 Speaking Speak about someone’s life using information from the timeline
8.1.3 Listening Listen to a video about tips on giving good presentations (2:07) and take notes using given headings, includes answers
8.1.4 Reading Read a short biography on Brad Pitt (118 words)
8.1.5 Writing Answer 7 comprehension questions on the biography, includes answers
8.1.6 Listening Listen to a biography on Brad Pitt (3:31 minutes) and answer 20 questions, includes answers
8.1.7 Reading Read a short biography on Angelina Jolie (191 words)
8.1.8 Writing Answer 7 comprehension questions on the biography, includes answers
8.1.9 Listening Listen to a biography on Angelina Jolie (4:56 minutes) and answer 12 questions, includes answers
8.1.10 Task Choose a famous person to research and prepare an oral presentation of 5 minutes with an introduction, body and conclusion, includes questions as a guide

AU $5 Enrol

9. Essay Writing

Learn how to write an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion.

Lesson 1 - Introduction

9.1.1 Grammar Nominalisation, answer 5 comprehension questions includes answers
9.1.2 Reading Read about the essay question and planning the essay
9.1.3 Writing Use an example essay question and write ideas into a chart
9.1.4 Reading Read the explanation of the introduction to an essay including an example (96 words)
9.1.5 Writing Look at two example essay questions and write ideas into a chart
9.1.6 Reading Read two example introductions and put the sentences into the correct order, includes answers (103 words and 89 words)
9.1.7 Writing Write ideas to an essay question using 5 questions as a guide and a chart
9.1.8 Task Write an introduction to an essay

Lesson 2 - Body

9.2.1 Reading Read an example body of an essay and an explanation of the body of an essay (415 words)
9.2.2 Grammar Punctuation – capital letters, full stops, apostrophes, question marks, commas and quotation marks, explanation and activity with answers
9.2.3 Reading Read an example body of an essay and put in all punctuation, includes answers (153 words)
9.2.4 Speaking Record speaking aloud the body of an essay
9.2.5 Reading Read an example body of an essay and put the sentences into the correct order, includes answers (173 words)
9.2.6 Speaking Record speaking aloud the body of an essay
9.2.7 Task Write the body of an essay from Lesson 1 Task

Lesson 3 - Conclusion

9.3.1 Reading Read an example conclusion of an essay (115 words) and complete a conclusion by filling in the missing words (56 words) includes answer
9.3.2 Speaking Record speaking aloud the conclusion of an essay
9.3.3 Reading Read 6 sentences and choose 3 for a conclusion to an essay
9.3.4 Task Write the conclusion of an essay from the Task of Lesson 1 and 2

Lesson 4 - Essay Writing

9.4.1 Writing Plan and write an essay using a detailed guide
9.4.2 Speaking Record speaking aloud the essay and make any necessary changes
9.4.3 Task Write a final copy of the essay

AU $5 Enrol

10. Researching

Learn researching skills to find out more information on a topic.

10.1.1 Speaking Talk about an animal
10.1.2 Writing Research the animal and write down 10 interesting facts
10.1.3 Speaking Speak about the animal using the 10 interesting facts
10.1.4 Reading Read about an animal - tapir (304 words)
10.1.5 Writing Take notes on the reading of the tapir using headings, includes answer
10.1.6 Listening Match phrases to definitions, includes answers, then listen to a lecture on tapirs (11:33 minutes) 15 comprehension questions includes answers
10.1.7 Writing Take notes on 4 questions, includes answers
10.1.8 Writing Choose an animal to research and take notes using headings as a guide
10.1.9 Task Use notes on your researched animal to prepare an oral presentation

AU $5 Enrol

11. Paraphrasing

Learn how to paraphrase or re-write information into your own words to avoid plagiarism.

11.1.1 Listening Listen to an animal sound and make a list of your knowledge of this animal
11.1.2 Reading Read about the cane toad and example paraphrase of the first paragraph (271 words)
11.1.3 Writing Write a paraphrase of 4 paragraphs on cane toads, includes answers
11.1.4 Reading Read about the quoll (383 words)
11.1.5 Writing Write a paraphrase on the quoll, includes answers
11.1.6 Speaking Record speaking aloud the paraphrase
11.1.7 Reading Read about Merten’s water monitor (277 words)
11.1.8 Task Write a paraphrase of Merten’s water monitor

AU $5 Enrol

12. Summarising

Learn how to summarise a text into a shorter version.

12.1.1 Reading Read a text on the cane toad, example notes from the text and an example summary (464 words)
12.1.2 Listening Listen to a video and take notes, sample answer included (1:42 minutes)
12.1.3 Speaking Use your notes to write a summary and record reading this aloud, sample answer included
12.1.4 Reading Read a text on the quoll (383 words)
12.1.5 Writing Take notes on the quoll reading then write a summary, sample answer included
12.1.6 Reading Read a text on Merten’s water monitor (277 words)
12.1.7 Task Take notes, then write a summary of Merten’s water monitor

AU $5 Enrol

13. Report Writing

Learn how to write a report using research skills and referencing.

13.1.1 Reading Read part of a body of a report on tapirs and identify sub-headings, includes answers (178 words)
13.1.2 Reading Organise notes on the tapir for the body of a research report into correct headings, includes answers
13.1.3 Reading Rearrange sentences to complete an introduction and a conclusion to a research report (134 words) includes answers
13.1.4 Listening Listen to the introduction and the conclusion of a research report on tapirs
13.1.5 Speaking Record yourself reading the introduction and conclusion aloud
13.1.6 Reading Arrange a reference list correctly, includes answers
13.1.7 Task Write a report of 1000 words using detailed steps as a guide

AU $5 Enrol

Academic English Course For Teachers

AU $80 Enrol Includes all units

Description

Course outline

Students learn how to write paragraphs, how to take notes and listen effectively to lectures, how to prepare and give an oral seminar and how to write an essay among many other things.

There are 5 Units with 4 lessons in each to make a total of 20 lessons altogether. Teachers and students will spend 20 hours on each Unit so the whole course will take 100 hours to complete. Each lesson has a Task at the end which is an extension activity from the skills learned in the lesson and at the end of each Unit there is an Assignment which also includes a teachers marking key.

Course outline

Unit 1 - AU $20
1.1 Email
1.2 Reading Books
1.3 Journal Writing
1.4 Autobiography
Assignment: Writing a part autobiography
Unit 2 - AU $20
2.1 Reading News Reports
2.2 Listening to the News
2.3 National Anthems
2.4 Paragraph Writing
Assignment: Writing a paragraph
Unit 3 - AU $20
3.1 Scanning and Skimming
3.2 Note-taking
3.3 Listening to Lectures
3.4 Biography
Assignment: Presenting a biography as an oral seminar
Unit 4 - AU $20
4.1 Essay - Introduction
4.2 Essay - Body
4.3 Essay - Conclusion
4.4 Essay Writing
Assignment: Writing an essay
Unit 5 - AU $20
5.1 Researching
5.2 Paraphrasing
5.3 Summarising
5.4 Report Writing
Assignment: Researching and preparing a report

Lesson Blog

Check out the lesson blog where new lessons are added regularly for extra activities in reading, speaking, listening and writing.

About Smart English Class

Smart English Class was developed by Carolyn Martin

I live in Perth, Western Australia with my husband and three children. I have a Diploma of Education in English and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

My first job was teaching English in a high school in a far north western town in Australia called Port Hedland over twenty years ago. Since then I have worked in a variety of schools and colleges all over Australia including a summer term teaching the bridging course to students at the University of Melbourne.

Now I am working at the University of Western Australia teaching academic English language to students who are intending to further their studies at university.

My previous written work includes a series of text books published by Pearson Education called English Outcomes 1, English Outcomes 2 and English Outcomes 3.

I developed Smart English Class to modernise the whole learning experience and provide lessons online rather than using the same old text books. This way all students can access all lessons at any time from their own device while being able to research and write all in the same place.

I have a passion for writing and enjoy creating interactive and engaging lessons for all students. I hope you enjoy these online lessons from Australia!