ICAPE offers two types of workshops. We offer workshops for educators to help them improve their teaching skills. And, we offer workshops for multilingual students to help them improve their English language skills and achieve their academic goals.
Email Us at icape@lehigh.edu for Questions!
Academic Literacies Workshops FOR ALL
The International Center for Academic and Professional English offers workshops on communication skills, cultural awareness and intercultural communication for students, faculty and staff. Workshops are free for Lehigh University students, faculty, and staff. For Bethlehem community members, there is a $25 registration fee per workshop. See graduate and professional workshops below. To request a workshop, please complete this form.
FALL 2026 ACADEMIC WORKSHOPS
Facilitating the TA-Student Relationship: Communicative Roles
Tuesday, August 25th 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm – (Maginnes 270 & Via Zoom) Facilitator(s): Mark Ouellette
* Stepping into the classroom as a Teaching Assistant isn't about delivering a conference paper or giving a high-level academic lecture—it’s about bridging the gap between complex course material and undergraduate success. In this interactive workshop designed for prospective and incoming TAs, you will discover your role as a "disciplinary ambassador" who translates complex ideas, sparks enthusiasm, and guides students through their academic journey. We will explore how the everyday interactional roles you assume—from collaborative problem-solver and grade-builder to a supportive mentor during office hours—directly shape student motivation and learning. Join us to build practical communication strategies that make your course subject matter relatable, accessible, and exciting for your students.
The Hidden Cost of Environmental Choices on Mind and Body (5x10)
- Tuesday, September 8th 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm – (Business Innovation Building - BI-220) Facilitator(s): Kiki Montufar
- Wednesday, October 21st 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm – (Business Innovation Building - BI-107) Facilitator(s): Kiki Montufar
* In this 5x10 workshop, students will reflect on how daily choices impact our surroundings. We will explore the symbiotic relationship between environmental sustainability and personal well-being through an immersive 3D VR experience featuring student-created virtual worlds. Together, we will reflect on how conscious decision-making helps us become smarter consumers and more responsible global citizens.
Voices of Value: Highlighting Humanity Through Expression
Friday, September 11th 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm – (Steps - 101) Facilitator(s): Teresa Cusumano & Kiki Montufar
* How do we use language to express what matters to us and connect with others? This workshop explores the ways people communicate their identities, experiences, values, and perspectives through language and other forms of expression. Participants will examine how culture and language shape the ways we tell our stories, share our ideas, and understand others while building confidence in expressing their own voices.
Using Commas Accurately & Effectively
Wednesday, September 16th 4:30 pm - 5:45 am – (Maginnes Hall - 270 & Via Zoom) Facilitator(s): Mark Ouellette
* This interactive workshop will show you how to notice and resolve frequent comma errors academic writers of all levels can make. Enhance your writing skills, so that you write with accuracy, sophistication, and confidence.
Cultivating Global Voices in WRT002/005 - Collaborate, Connect & Write for Global Impact (5x10)
- Friday, September 18th 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm – (Steps - 102) Facilitator(s): Jessica Harbaum & Teresa Cusumano
- Friday, October 16th 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm – (Steps - 102) Facilitator(s): Jessica Harbaum & Teresa Cusumano
* This workshop introduces Lehigh’s unique FYW learning opportunities through Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and Collaborative Hybrid Online Learning (CHIL), offering WRT002 and 005 students a unique opportunity to collaborate globally right from their WRT classroom and become active community allies through their WRT002/005 research and writing. This session explores how students will build essential collaboration skills by working in cross-cultural teams on real-world social justice issues. They will discover how COIL expands intercultural communication skills and intercultural awareness, enhancing FYW writing, flexibility, and global perspectives. During the workshop, attendees will also engage in a hands-on collaborative activity to assess their own communication strengths, reflect on team dynamics, and start mapping out how their writing can create meaningful community impact.
Facilitating the TA-Student Relationship: Communicative Roles
Wednesday, September 30th 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm - (Maginnes - 270) Facilitator(s): Mark Ouellette
* Stepping into the classroom as a Teaching Assistant isn't about delivering a conference paper or giving a high-level academic lecture—it’s about bridging the gap between complex course material and undergraduate success. In this interactive workshop designed for prospective and incoming TAs, you will discover your role as a "disciplinary ambassador" who translates complex ideas, sparks enthusiasm, and guides students through their academic journey. We will explore how the everyday interactional roles you assume—from collaborative problem-solver and grade-builder to a supportive mentor during office hours—directly shape student motivation and learning. Join us to build practical communication strategies that make your course subject matter relatable, accessible, and exciting for your students.
Introduction to the Structure of Academic Papers
Friday, October 2nd 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - (BC-115 & Via Zoom) - Mountaintop Facilitator(s): Ashley Murphy
*This workshop is an introduction to the structure of academic papers, including Introductions/Lit Reviews, Methods sections, Results section, and also Problem-Solution structures.
Crafting Your Voice and Slow Writing Where Does AI Fit?
Friday, October 9th 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - (Step -101) Facilitator(s): Kiki Montufar
* This workshop is an integration of reflecting writing and how we can introduce the support of AI in developing our voice.
Using Commas Accurately & Effectively
Wednesday, October 28th 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm - (BC - 210) - Mountaintop Facilitator(s): Mark Ouellette
* This interactive workshop will show you how to notice and resolve frequent comma errors academic writers of all levels can make. Enhance your writing skills, so that you write with accuracy, sophistication, and confidence.
Englishes Around the World: An Overview
Friday, November 6th 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - (Maginnes 270) Facilitator(s): Jessica Harbaum & Mike O'Neill
* In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about different varieties of English spoken around the world, discuss their experiences with languages, and arrive at the truth that there isn't one inherent "best" form of English!
Other Workshops
International Teaching Assistant (ITA) and TOPSS Workshops
Facilitating the TA-Student Relationship: Communicative Roles
Tuesday, August 25th 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm – (Maginnes 270 & Via Zoom) Facilitator(s): Mark Ouellette
* Stepping into the classroom as a Teaching Assistant isn't about delivering a conference paper or giving a high-level academic lecture—it’s about bridging the gap between complex course material and undergraduate success. In this interactive workshop designed for prospective and incoming TAs, you will discover your role as a "disciplinary ambassador" who translates complex ideas, sparks enthusiasm, and guides students through their academic journey. We will explore how the everyday interactional roles you assume—from collaborative problem-solver and grade-builder to a supportive mentor during office hours—directly shape student motivation and learning. Join us to build practical communication strategies that make your course subject matter relatable, accessible, and exciting for your students.
Simplifying Complex Concepts in the Classroom
Friday, October 16th 1:30 pm - 2:45 pm - (Maginnes 270 & Via Zoom) Facilitator(s): Mike O'Neill
* This interactive workshop equips TAs with strategies to effectively communicate complex ideas to undergraduate students. Participants will learn techniques for breaking down technical concepts, using metaphors, analogies, and real-world examples to enhance understanding.
Pronunciation Brush-Up for ITAs
Friday, November 20th 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm - (Via Zoom) Facilitator(s): Jessica Harbaum
* Learn and practice some fundamental aspects of pronunciation to help you speak with accuracy and confidence as a multilingual teaching assistant! Register to receive the Zoom link.
Overview of the TOPSS
Friday, December 4th 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm - (BC 115 & Via Zoom) - Mountaintop Facilitator(s): Ashley Murphy
* This workshop will provide a broad overview of the TOPSS test for teaching assistants and Lehigh’s Oral Proficiency Interview. Time allowing, attendees can practice and receive feedback.