Diversity in learning is a challenge for student and facilitator alike. Returning to learning, or learning in a second language, are daunting prospects that require preparation and understanding in course design. Academic writing is a particular area that creates anxiety. This paper offers a potential solution for building confidence and developing academic writing by explaining how the discussion forum, available on the Blackboard virtual learning environment (VLE) system, is used with an academic development group on a return to study course in the United Kingdom (UK). In particular it looks at how discussion threads can be developed to build the infrastructure of an argument, and how using the ‘real’ healthcare knowledge of the student enables this process to occur
