Academic English for Study Abroad Success
15 Thinking Moves That Stop You From Freezing
You passed the test. Now you need to think, write, and explain ideas in real classes.
The Reality Check
You Passed the Test.
Then Everything Changed.
Every week we hear from students who are already studying abroad.
They passed IELTS or Duolingo. They were accepted. They arrived.
And now they're struggling.
"They understand English. They just can't use it under pressure."
— Sean Kivi, Founder
❌ Assignments don't make sense
❌ Teachers say "unclear" or "needs structure"
❌ They know what to say — but nothing comes out
❌ Freeze when asked to explain their thinking
If This Sounds Familiar, You're Not Alone
→ You read the assignment three times and still don't know what it wants
→ You stare at a blank page and don't know how to begin
→ Essays come back with "vague" or "unclear structure"
→ You freeze when a teacher asks you to explain your thinking
→ You have ideas, but they feel scattered and messy
→ You understand English — until you need it fast
This isn't a motivation problem. And it's not a grammar problem.
The Real Problem
Test Prep Teaches Passing.
School Requires Thinking.
Test prep trains you to follow formats.
School expects you to:
- Interpret questions
- Organize ideas
- Develop arguments
- Explain reasoning clearly
No one teaches that step.
That's why smart students feel stuck.
The Solution
15 Thinking Moves. One Clear System.
Every moment of "I'm stuck" has a specific move that solves it.
| When you're stuck on... | You use this move |
|---|---|
| Don't know how to start | Before / After |
| Essay feels disorganized | Compare / Contrast |
| Question doesn't make sense | Move #3 |
| Ideas stop after one sentence | Move #4 |
| Teacher says "be specific" | Move #5 |
| Can't explain reasoning | Move #6 |
| Ideas feel scattered | Move #7 |
| Arguments feel shallow | Move #8 |
+ 7 more moves you'll master in the course
Once you know the move, the writing starts.
"By the way, I passed with an A. Thank you for your help."
She was about to fail her writing class. Her teacher warned she might not continue in the program.
We worked one-on-one using the thinking moves.
She passed with an A. Now she's back for support in her next course.
— International student, after receiving her grade
What You'll Learn
15 lessons. 15 ways to access what you already know.
Starting to Write
- Before / After
- Move #5
- Move #9
Organizing Ideas
- Compare / Contrast
- Move #3
- Move #12
Developing Ideas
- Move #6
- Move #14
- Move #8
Explaining Thinking
- Move #10
- Move #13
- Move #7
Building Arguments
- Move #4
- Move #15
- Move #11
Each Lesson Includes
- A thinking tool
- Language frames
- Guided practice
- Real academic tasks
What Changes After This Program
Why This Works
We've Been There
We've lived it
Seven countries. Languages learned the hard way. We know the panic when your mind goes blank in front of a teacher.
This is research-based
These moves come from Cognitively Guided Instruction, used in top academic settings to teach reasoning — not memorization.
You already know enough English
If you're reading this, you're probably B1 or higher. Your problem isn't vocabulary — it's accessing what you know under pressure.
Sean Kivi
Founder, LU English
Is This For You?
This IS for you if...
You're preparing to study abroad
You're already abroad and struggling with assignments
Teachers say your work lacks clarity or structure
You understand English but freeze when producing it
You want to arrive prepared — not catch up later
This is NOT for you if...
You're a complete beginner in English
You want shortcuts without practice
You're looking for grammar drills
You want group classes (this is 1-on-1 only)
You're not willing to practice between sessions
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic English for Study Abroad
15 Thinking Moves. One Clear System.
What's Included:
One-time payment • Flexible scheduling
Not sure if you're ready?
Take the Free Diagnostic FirstReady to Stop Freezing?
15 thinking moves. English that works when it matters.