Personalised English Language Enhancement (PELE)
Unlocking multilingual talent through personalised learning in a safe, supportive community
Multilingual capability is one of the strongest yet most under‑recognised assets in our globally connected communities including universities and workplaces. Many highly capable students and professionals navigate study and professional life in an additional language, but in high‑stakes communication contexts they often experience reduced confidence, visibility and influence.
PELE responds to this challenge by strengthening communication confidence, agency and belonging, without requiring individuals to suppress identity or linguistic background. Through personalised learning, reflection and community, PELE supports participants to to engage actively in their learning, develop an authentic and professional voice and build sustainable communication practices for the future.
Overview
PELE is a research-informed learning program that supports UNSW students to strengthen their communication in English, enhancing confidence, agency and a sense of belonging through personalised learning.
Participants design and pursue individual communication goals aligned with their academic, professional and personal contexts. Through critical analysis, strategic practice, structured reflection and community learning, students strengthen their voice, agency and capacity for long-term growth.
PELE is available as a 6-credit course to undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students across all faculties. A tailored HDR version is also available for postgraduate research students (e.g. MPhil and PhD candidates).
This includes:
Over the past decade:
3,000+
students and academics engaged.
100+
Participants from 100+ countries.
Cross-faculty
Cross-disciplinary participation across law, engineering, science, health, arts, education, and business.
Who is PELE for?
PELE is designed for current UNSW students who want to enhance:
- communication skills in English
- confidence in communication
- effective autonomous learning strategies.
Students come from across disciplines and language backgrounds, and participate in a supportive, non‑judgmental learning community.
What will you do in PELE?
In PELE, you design a personal learning project focused on your own communication priorities, for example:
- Academic writing
- Everyday communication
- Presentations
- Pronunciation and intelligibility
- Professional interaction
- Leadership communication
You’re supported by experienced, encouraging multilingual teachers who introduce practical tools, structured reflection and strategies for sustainable, lifelong communication development, as well as by highly motivated peer mentors (former PELE students).
How is PELE delivered?
For undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students, PELE is offered as a six-credit course four terms a year. They check the timetable for HUMS1005 or ARTS5505, and enrol through myUNSW.
For HDR candidates, ARTS5507 HDR PELE is offered twice a year in Terms 1 and 3 as a free, zero-credit course for HDR candidates. Interested candidates need to submit an expression of interest form after obtaining approval from their supervisors. Successful applicants are manually enrolled by the Graduate Research School (GRS). No auditing is permitted.
How will you benefit?
Since 2016, PELE participants have consistently reported:
- Increased confidence in communicating in English in academic and everyday contexts
- Greater motivation to study and participate in class activities
- A stronger sense of belonging
- Enhanced professional and interpersonal skills
- Improved time management
- More effective use of autonomous learning strategies
- Greater confidence in high‑stakes communication situations
Students who successfully complete PELE may apply to become PELE Mentors, gaining further professional development experience.
2025 UNSW Award for Sustained Excellence in Teaching
2025 UNSW ADA Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership
2022 UNSW Students’ Choice Teaching Award
2014 UNSW Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence
2009 Australian Learning and Teaching Council Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning
What PELE participants say
"Through PELE, I realised my accent was part of my identity, and I do not need to erase it. That mindset shift changed everything. I stopped thinking I had to be perfect and focused on expressing myself authentically."
Yongxin Lyu
PhD candidate, Faculty of Engineering, 2025
"PELE taught me more about autonomous learning, emotional management and smart working. Now I have been able to write easily and think critically, and I also got a high score in the assignments this semester.”
Qi Diao
Exchange Program in 2020
"PELE is a community that goes beyond “just” improving English. PELE's team made all the efforts to accommodate my needs, and it was rewarding to be part of this community from São Paulo, Brazil, 13 hours behind Sydney. The reward was to enhance my understanding of many aspects of life and improve my writing skills on the top of that."
Mirian Sayuri Vaccari
PhD candidate, Faculty of Built Environment, 2020
Upcoming events
Partner with us
PELE also collaborates with UNSW staff, industry, community and research partners to support multilingual capability beyond the university.
Collaboration opportunities include:
- Workforce communication development programs
- Cross‑sector pilot initiatives
- Research partnerships on multilingual identity, confidence and leadership
- Executive workshops and tailored professional development
Partnerships with PELE are research‑informed, impact‑focused and designed to unlock the full potential of multilingual talent.
