uwloo

ENGL 129RWritten Academic English

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
English
Cross-listed
EMLS 129R

Not in the current Undergraduate Calendar. Shown as it appeared in 2025–26.

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 6 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Designed specifically for students for whom English is not the first language, this writing skills course provides instruction in grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, elements of composition, and academic essay writing, including a focus on theme, development of central ideas, exposition, and argumentation.

Prerequisites

None listed.

Antirequisites

  • Not open to fluent writers of English

Leads to

Reviewed on UW Flow

50% liked it100% easy0% useful

From 2 ratings on UW Flow. Read them all on UW Flow.

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

18 posts and comments in 14 threads mention ENGL 129R, September 2014 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Spring 2023

Math - First year electives 3 points, 7 comments

“Hello! I have to select courses for my first year - I will be studying mathematics with co-op and looking forward to major in statistics in second year - and I need some advice from upper year …”

u/Competitive_Tie_165: “… for Academic Purposes EMLS 102R - Clear Communication in English Writing EMLS 129/ENGL 129R - Written Academic English ENGL 109 - Introduction to Academic Writing I personally took COMMST 223 with Jeff Stacey. …”

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Fall 2020

got a 60 in 1a communications course 2 points, 6 comments

“hi I just finished my 1a, and i got a 60 in my emls 102R🥲 i am in math faculty, wondering whether it will affects my future courses😂 because i remember that some courses require communication scores …”

u/uwactscquestion: “If you plan on majoring in actsci or stats, you'll need at least a 70% to take ENGL378/MTHEL300”

u/uwactscquestion: “According to the undergrad calendar, the course requires 70 in one of: EMLS 101R, 102R, EMLS/ENGL 129R, ENGL 109, SPCOM 100, 223 You can just do another course if you want”

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Spring 2019

Spring 2018

Acceptances Megathread [Fall 2018 Incoming Students] 142 points, 1,897 comments

“Hi all, This thread is specifically for those who got accepted to UW to discuss different issues (residences, courses, student life, etc.) and celebrate the hard work and efforts of those who have …”

u/Syvash: “I got deferred to Geomatics (cs). Is the program that bad? Also, how difficult is it to switch to math or cs after first year? (I know cs is tough, but what about math?) ty”

u/cabbagemeister: “… 135 One of: MATH 106/MATH 114 --- 1B Schedule GEOG 102 GEOG 281 ENVS 278 One of: ENGL 109/ENGL 129R --- REPLACE: MATH114 -> MATH137 ENGL109 -> MATH135 ELECTIVE -> MATH138 This puts you a course behind. …”

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Winter 2018

Fall 2017

How hard is ENGL 109? 2 points, 15 comments

“Failed the ELPE, now I'm taking this online during my coop in January. How many hours will I have to put into this course per week?”

u/fuck251: “Don't take it. They bumped the difficulty. It's still not hard but too many dumbass assignments. Also not bird.”

u/mywaterlooaccount: “ENGL 109, ENGL 129R, EMLS 102R, EMLS 129R are the options, 3/4 aren't available for native english speakers source I think it's different for CS”

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Spring 2017

Which communications course to choose? 3 points, 7 comments

u/LSSprits: “… EMLS 101R Oral Communication for Academic Purposes EMLS 102R Clear Communication in English Writing EMLS 129R/ENGL 129R Written Academic English ENGL 109 Introduction to Academic Writing SPCOM 100 Interpersonal Communication SPCOM 223 Public Speaking”

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Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar