The mission of the Communicating Science ESL group is to help scientific staff for whom English is a second language to become world-class communicators, orally and in writing. Promoting exchanges among staff from around the world  increases mentoring and collaborating opportunities, prepares any staff member who travels abroad by improving language skills and enhancing cultural awareness, and enhances appreciation of the diversity of UCAR/NCAR/UOP staff.

ESL Calendar of Events

The ESL calendar lists all our other events.

Reminders are also posted on Today@UCAR's Daily Announcements and Calendar.

TableTalk

TableTalk is a low-pressure way to practice English conversational skills, to form relationships with each other and with native speakers of English, and to have a good time.

If English is your first language, come join us to get to know more of your colleagues from abroad.

We meet from 12—1 p.m. in the Foothills Cafeteria Atrium. Look for the TableTalk sign. 

Check the ESL calendar for our next meeting. Reminders are also posted in the Today@UCAR Calendar.

For more information, contact Charlie Krinsky.

Cultural and Language Groups

From time to time, we sponsor lunchtime groups for those interested in a particular culture or language. Maintain foreign language skills, prepare for travel abroad, or learn more about a culture.

Let us know your interests by contacting Mary Golden or Jielun Sun.

ESL Resources

We maintain an extensive list of resources to assist with

• Mentoring

• Books on Writing

• Poster Presentations

• Oral Presentation Skills

The CommSci ESL Group Steering Committee

Huaqing Cai, Eric Gilleland, Mary Golden, Charlie Krinsky, Marina LaGrave, Eunha Lim, Carol Park, Jielun Sun, and Agnes Takacs.

Contact the CommSci ESL Group

Let us hear from you about your language needs and interests. And if you find any information on this site that is outdated, please let us know.

We meet regularly for brown-bag lunches and special workshops to improve presentation and writing skills in a casual, supportive environment. We also arrange lectures on pronunciation and other subjects as opportunities and requests arise.

Missed an event?

Catch up via the Presentations & Events Archive, where you can download the slides or watch a webcast of past writing & presentation clinics.

Please email Jielun Sun with suggested topics, excerpts from papers you’d like some help with, etc.

For the next clinic or special event, check the ESL calendar.

Pronunciation Help

Advice for Practicing English

Phonetics: The Sounds of Spoken Languages (University of Iowa). An online audiovisual guide to spoken American English as well as German and Spanish.

For individual coaching, contact Mary Golden to set up an appointment.

Useful Websites

About English as a Second Language

• ESL Resources, Handouts and Exercises from Purdue's Online Writing Lab (OWL).

• Dave's ESL Cafe — billed as "the Internet's meeting place for ESL and EFL teachers and students from around the world."

• International English Center, University of Colorado Continuing Education Office, Boulder — Intensive full-day programs and evening classes in ESL (303-492-5547) ieccu@colorado.edu
  
  
• Babelfish online translation assistance
  
  

UCAR Communication Websites

• UCAR Communicating Science Program  
• UCAR Staff Development Offerings  
• UCAR Communications Office
  • Acronym List
  • Style Guide
    • Style Guide Reference List
  • Communications Services for NCAR/UCAR Staff
    
    
• AMS Style guide for journal papers
• Monthly Weather Review (AMS) 
  covers research results relevant to the analysis and prediction of observed atmospheric circulations and physics, including technique development, data assimilation, model validation, and relevant case studies.

Dictionaries & Thesauri
Among many others, we suggest:

• Longman Dictionary of American English, 2nd ed. White Plains, NY, Longman, 1997
• Long, T.H. ed. Longman Dictionary of English Idioms, Rev. ed. Harlow, England, Longman, 1984.
• Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus
• Oxford Fowler's Modern English Usage Dictionary, Fowler
  

Handbooks & Grammar Guides

• Mayfield Handbook of Technical & Science Writing
• Quick grammar tips
• Diagramming sentences:  a useful means of structuring your writing can be found in Guide to Grammar and Writing
  

Staff Development Presenters' Sites

• Mary Golden:
  • Excellence in Scientific Writing
  • ESL for Professional Life
    
    
• Alice Levine Editorial Services
  
  
• Andi O'Conor, Ph.D.: Speaker Coaching

ESL Photo Gallery

Mike Shibao and Erick Halvorson of IDC joined Jielun Sun (ESSL/MMM & CommSci) (left to right) for a workshop on creating poster presentations. See more photos in the ESL Photo Gallery. Check the ESL calendar to join us at our next workshop.

Members of the CommSci ESL group welcomed all staff to a multicultural potluck, cosponsored by the EAC, for fun and great food. See more photos in the ESL Photo Gallery. Check the ESL calendar to join us at our next social event.