English for Researchers: More Write and Talk: Discourse Part 2
Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at University of Copenhagen
This is a generic course. This means that the course is reserved for PhD students at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences at UCPH.
Anyone can apply for the course, but if you are not a PhD student at the Graduate School, you will be placed on the waiting list until enrollment deadline. After the enrollment deadline, available seats will be allocated to the waiting list.
The course is free of charge for PhD students at Danish universities (except Copenhagen Business School), and for PhD students at NorDoc member faculties. All other participants must pay the course fee.
Course title : More Write and Talk: Discourse—how to write and discuss a Discussion section
Part 2
Learning objectives
A student who has met the objectives of the course will be able to:
1. Craft a compelling Discussion section
2. Understand the etiquette of the Discussion
3. Accurately state the strength of their claims
4. Speculate and hypothesise about their findings and future research
5. Confidently discuss and argue their points
Content
Background
AI is both a blessing and a curse. It can be a tremendous help when you write and when used as a sparring partner, but do you appear authentic when you talk about your research? Does the way you talk to your peers about your research match the way it is written? Is there disparity between the clarity and fluency of what is written and the way you talk about it? Do you understand the grammar, the vocabulary choices and the punctuation in your paper? Can you replicate those points unaided? Can you speak fluently about your work? Can you get your points across in a group discussion? Can you navigate tricky situations and disagreements? Do you need some practice and a bit more confidence?
In a relaxed environment where it’s fine to make mistakes and even better to laugh at them, this course offers you the opportunity to gather and practise the skills you need to write and talk confidently and authentically about your work.
This is a two-part course; you must apply for each part separately. It is not a requirement to join both parts, but it is a recommendation.
• Part 1: 4 whole-day weekly sessions
• Part 2: 2 whole-day weekly sessions
Part 2:
Focus is on the Discussion and Conclusion. For the writing part, focus is on the structure and how to accurately and convincingly convey the strength of your findings along with the rationale for future studies. Further focus is on creating a compelling Conclusion. For the talking part, focus is on how to speculate and hypothesise about your findings, taking into consideration their value and implications.
In both Part 1 and Part 2, participants have the opportunity to receive individual, detailed feedback and correction of their written work.
Participants
PhD researchers wishing to publish their work in reputable English-language journals and who also wish to discuss their work in small professional groups. The ability to speak English at an intermediate level, as a minimum, is a requirement. The course is designed for non-native English speakers.
The course is relevant to PhD students from the following graduate programmes at the Graduate School of Health and Medical Sciences, UCPH:
All graduate programmes
Language
English
Form
Classroom lectures, group work, exercises, games, short presentations and discussions. Further, participants have the opportunity to receive individual, detailed feedback and correction of their written work.
Course director
Professor MD DMSci
Vibeke Backer, pulmonologist
Rigshospitalet and Copenhagen University
Dept of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck surgery and Audiology
Entrance 6, 3th floor, section 6033
Inge Lehmanns vej 8
DK-2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Mail nina.vibeke.backer@regionh.dk or backer@dadlnet.dk
Teachers
Carol Bang-Christensen, external language consultant:
Mail: carol@thecomputer.dk
Dates
Spring 2026
Part 2
• 30 April 2026
• 07 May 2026
Course location
Righospitalet, Inge Lehmanns Vej 8, 2100 København Ø
Registration
Please register before 26 March 2026
Expected frequency
Twice a year: spring and autumn
Seats to PhD students from other Danish universities will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and according to the applicable rules. Applications from other participants will be considered after the last day of enrolment.
Note: All applicants are asked to submit invoice details in case of no-show, late cancellation or obligation to pay the course fee (typically non-PhD students). If you are a PhD student, your participation in the course must be in agreement with your principal supervisor.