Speaking with Confidence: Conversational English in Academia

A workshop offered by the Human Resources Development

This workshop is designed for researchers and academic professionals who want to refine their spoken English for everyday academic interactions. It focuses on sophisticated small talk, clear and effective pronunciation, and practical communication strategies for professional settings. Participants practice starting, maintaining, and ending conversations confidently, expressing opinions politely, and handling challenging discussions with tact and diplomacy. The workshop is suitable for participants at CEFR level B2 or above who are motivated to build on and fine-tune their existing language skills.

In-person Workshop

Wednesday, April 29, 2026
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Trainer

Lesley-Anne Weiling (Writing English)

Language

English

Location

Poppelsdorfer Allee 31-33, 53115 Bonn
3rd floor, room 3.051

Target group

Postdocs | Wissmanager | Established Researchers | Junior- & TT-Professor*innen

Track(s)

Research Track
Research Management Track

yourTRACK

Certificate

Certificate of attendance

8 Units are applicable within the "Careers plus" certificates

Content

Feel more confident starting and continuing conversations in English in
academic settings
Know what makes small talk work well—and what to avoid—when talking to
colleagues or senior researchers
Learn how to pick up on tone, status, and context, and respond appropriately
Practice useful phrases for opening, keeping a conversation going, and ending
politely
Use body language and voice tone to feel calm and present when speaking
Focus on making real connections, not speaking perfect English

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for the event?

No. Human Resource Development will cover all the costs incurred.

An event is fully booked. Is there a waiting list?

Yes. If an event is fully booked, we will put you on the waiting list. You may then move up the list if a space becomes free with enough time still to go before the event starts.

Do the rooms have barrier-free access?

The building at Poppelsdorfer Allee 31/33 is moderately accessible for people with disabilities. Please contact us in advance so that we can help you if necessary.

Is there any childcare available during the event?

If you need childcare during the event, please contact the Office of Family Services at the University of Bonn.

Can people from outside the University take part in the event too?

The further training offers provided by HR Development at the University of Bonn are only open to people who have signed a work contract with the University, the University Hospital (UKB), are enrolled as a doctoral student, are conducting research on behalf of the University or are an associated member of a research consortium.

What does “confirmation of attendance” or “certificate” mean?

You will usually be given a certificate at all our events that confirms your attendance at the event and its content.

We also offer a certificate program along the three "Career Tracks": "Research", "Research Management" and "Business & Organizations". For more information, please see the corresponding page of the certificates. If the currently displayed training course can be credited to one of the three "tracks", this is indicated accordingly.

Contact

Sabine Kurth-Driessen B.A.

Driessen@verwaltung.uni-bonn.de

+49 228 73-4199

Registration and Organization

Poppelsdorfer Allee 31-33

53115 Bonn