Course Overview
Vocabulary Building for Academic & Professional Use
Course Title: Vocabulary Building for Academic & Professional Use
Duration: 15 Hours
Course Equivalent: 1 Credit Hour
Delivery Format: Instructor-led + Exercises + Assessments
Class Size: Up to 40 Participants
Course Fee: BDT 3000.00
Course Description
This micro-credential is designed to strengthen learners’ academic and professional English vocabulary through structured, research-backed techniques. Participants will build a powerful word bank using roots, prefixes, suffixes, AWL-based vocabulary, workplace terms, collocations, and idiomatic expressions.
With a combination of instructor-led sessions, vocabulary decoding strategies, academic practice, corporate communication exercises, and digital learning tools, learners will develop the ability to understand, retain, and use high-level vocabulary accurately in any academic or professional context.
This course is ideal for university students, job seekers, working professionals, and anyone who wants to communicate more effectively in English.
Syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to Vocabulary Development
Duration: 1 Hour
Topics:
- Why vocabulary matters in academic & professional settings
- Types of vocabulary: academic, business, technical, general
- Active vs passive vocabulary
- Diagnostic test (pre-assessment)
Activities:
- Quick vocabulary-level test
- Reflection: personal vocabulary gaps
Module 2: Word Roots, Prefixes & Suffixes
Duration: 3 Hours
2.1 Word Roots (Greek & Latin Origins)
- Common root families: bio, graph, aud, tele, geo, chrono, micro, bene, mal, port
- How roots form meaning
- Techniques to guess meanings from roots
2.2 Prefixes
- Positive/Negative: anti, pre, post, pro, re, dis, mis, un
- Quantity/Number: mono, bi, multi, poly
- Direction/Position: sub, super, trans, inter
2.3 Suffixes
- Noun-forming: -tion, -ment, -ness, -ity
- Verb-forming: -ize, -ify, -en
- Adjective-forming: -al, -ive, -ous, -able
Activities:
- Decode 30 advanced words using roots
- Create new words from given prefixes/suffixes
- Short quiz
Outcome: Ability to decode unfamiliar words instantly.
Module 3: Academic Vocabulary (AWL-Based Training)
Duration: 4 Hours
3.1 Introduction to Academic Word List (AWL)
- Overview of the 570-word AWL
- High-utility academic terms
3.2 Core Academic Vocabulary Sets
Set 1: Analysis, Approach, Concept, Context, Data, Sector
Set 2: Evidence, Interpretation, Methodology, Theory, Variables
Set 3: Hypothesis, Framework, Outcome, Significant, Derive
3.3 Using Vocabulary in Academic Writing
- Building academic sentences
- Avoiding informal words in academic contexts
- Paraphrasing using synonyms
3.4 Academic Vocabulary in Reading & Listening
- Strategies for understanding complex texts
- Extracting key terms
Activities:
- Academic sentence-building exercises
- Paraphrasing practice using AWL words
- Short comprehension tasks
Outcome: Strong academic vocabulary for reports, research, and essays.
Module 4: Business & Workplace Vocabulary
Duration: 3 Hours
4.1 Essential Business Terminology
- Corporate terms: KPI, ROI, deliverables, stakeholders, synergy
- Productivity terms: workflow, delegation, benchmarking
- Professional etiquette terms: acknowledgment, follow-up, escalation
4.2 Industry-Specific Vocabulary
Choose 1–2 areas depending on participants:
- Banking & Finance
- HR & Management
- IT & Tech
- Marketing & Communication
4.3 Workplace Communication Language
- Email vocabulary
- Meeting language
- Negotiation-specific vocabulary
- Persuasive vocabulary for proposals
Activities:
- Rewrite informal workplace emails using professional terms
- Vocabulary drills (fill-in-the-gap, matching, real case examples)
Outcome: Ability to speak and write professionally in corporate contexts.
Module 5: Collocations, Idioms & Natural Phrasing
Duration: 2 Hours
5.1 Collocations
- Verb + Noun (make a decision, take responsibility)
- Adjective + Noun (strong foundation, significant improvement)
- Adverb + Adjective (highly effective, deeply concerned)
5.2 Idioms for Professional Use
On the same page, touch base, go the extra mile, game changer, back to the drawing board
5.3 Academic Phrasal Verbs
Carry out, put forward, look into, point out, account for
Activities:
- Collocation-building tasks
- Dialogue creation with professional idioms
Outcome: More natural, fluent, and native-like communication.
Module 6: Vocabulary Retention Techniques
Duration: 2 Hours
6.1 Memory Techniques
- Spaced repetition
- Chunking
- Word families
- Personal dictionary and vocabulary journal
6.2 Digital Tools for Vocabulary Learning
- Quizlet, Anki, Memrise
- ChatGPT-based vocabulary drills
- Voice-based learning tools
6.3 Long-term Vocabulary Strategies
- Active recall method
- Reading habit development
- Using vocabulary in context
Activities:
- Create a digital vocabulary deck
- Practice with SRS (Spaced Repetition System)
Outcome: Ability to retain and recall high-level vocabulary effectively.
Module 7: Final Assessment & Certification
Duration: 1 Hour
Assessment Format:
- Vocabulary Test (MCQ + fill-in-the-blanks)
- Real-life task: write an academic paragraph OR professional email using new vocabulary
- Oral assessment: short presentation using 20 new words
Entry Qualifications
- University students, graduates, job seekers
- Professionals wanting to enhance English communication
- Minimum basic English proficiency required
- No prior academic writing experience needed
Career Pathways
- Research Assistant / Academic Writer
- Corporate Communication Officer
- Administrative Professional
- Teacher / Trainer
- Customer Service / Call Center Specialist
- Graduate program applicant (local or international)
Assessment Criteria
- Module quizzes & vocabulary tasks – 30%
- Academic/Professional writing task – 30%
- Final vocabulary test & oral assessment – 40%
- Certification: DIU Micro-Credential Certificate in Vocabulary Building for Academic & Professional Use
