Assessing English For Academic Purposes

Assessing Academic English for Higher Education Admissions is a state-of-the-art overview of advances in theories and practices relevant to the assessment of academic English skills for higher education admissions purposes. The volume includes a brief introduction followed by four main chapters focusing on critical developments in theories and practices for assessing reading, listening, writing, and speaking, of which the latter two also address the assessment of integrated skills such as reading-writing, listening-speaking, and reading-listening-speaking. Each chapter reviews new task types, scoring approaches, and scoring technologies and their implications in light of the increasing use of technology in academic communication and the growing use of English as a lingua franca worldwide. The volume concludes with recommendations about critical areas of research and development that will help move the field forward. Assessing Academic English for Higher Education Admissions is an ideal resource for researchers and graduate students in language testing and assessment worldwide.

A concern for quality and the growing number of international students have made the assessment of English for Academic Purposes a prime concern in British universities. By drawing on the expertise of BALEAP and many EAP specialists, this collection describes and critically evaluates current issues and debates in the field. An introduction provides an overview of the state of assessment in EAP and this is followed by sections which investigate in depth individual issues such as the validity of commonly used tests, the utility of computer test batteries and other non-traditional forms of assessment. Also addressed with original research data are the varying requirements of individual departments, students' views of assessment and self-assessment instruments. These issues are relevant beyond the individual circumstances of British universities and should inform good practice not only in the UK but anywhere where students receive part or all of their education in English as a second or foreign language.

Introducing English for Academic Purposes is an accessible and engaging textbook which presents a wide-ranging introduction to the field, covering the global and institutional position of EAP as well as its manifestations in classrooms and research contexts around the world. Each chapter provides: a critical overview introducing readers to theory- and research-informed perspectives; profiles of practice to guide readers in putting theory to use in real world contexts; tasks, reflection exercises and a glossary to help readers consolidate their understanding; an annotated further reading section with links to online resources to enable readers to extend their knowledge. Covering both theoretical and practical issues, Introducing English for Academic Purposes is essential reading for studentsof applied linguistics, and pre-service and in-service teachers of EAP.

This book provides a state-of-the-art account of the various kinds of language assessments used to determine people's ability to function linguistically in the workplace. This book is key reading for researchers, graduate students and practitioners working in the area of English for Specific Purposes assessment.

As a result of current global and international forces, teaching English for academic purposes (EAP) is going through the most dynamic period in its rather short history. The internationalization of higher education, English further solidifying its role as the lingua franca every single day, and the increasing number of higher education institutions around the globe opting for instruction in the medium of English (EMI) are all contributing forces behind this book. The text disentangles the conflicting views and beliefs regarding the standards, provision and practices of EAP. Across its chapters, it closely looks at the world of EAP through the lenses of academic practice, learners, curriculum development, program implementation, and teaching and assessment practices. This book will guide all stakeholders of EAP settings to better understand ways in which research and teaching interact, and inform each other from a number of vital and relevant perspectives.

This book focuses on strategies and procedures for assessing the academic language ability of students entering an English-medium university, so that those with significant needs can have access to opportunities to enhance their language skills.

1 EAP and Study Skills: Definitions and Scope 2 Needs Analysis 3 Surveys: Students' Difficulties 4 EAP Syllabus and Course Design 5 Evaluation: Students and Courses 6 Learning Styles and Cultural Awareness 7 Methodology and Materials 8 Evaluating Materials 9 Academic Reading 10 Vocabulary Development 11 Academic Writing 12 Lectures and Note-Taking 13 Speaking for Academic Purposes 14 Reference/Research Skills 15 Examination Skills 16 Academic Discourse and Style 17 Subject-Specific Language 18 Materials Design and Production 19 Concerns and Research Appendices 1 Recommended Books and Journals 2 Educational Technology 3 Professional Associations and other Organisations 4 EAP Exams and Examining Bodies 5 ELT Publishers and Mail Order Firms (UK).

The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes provides an accessible, authoritative and comprehensive introduction to English for Academic Purposes (EAP), covering the main theories, concepts, contexts and applications of this fast growing area of applied linguistics. Forty-four chapters are organised into eight sections covering: Conceptions of EAP Contexts for EAP EAP and language skills Research perspectives Pedagogic genres Research genres Pedagogic contexts Managing learning Authored by specialists from around the world, each chapter focuses on a different area of EAP and provides a state-of-the-art review of the key ideas and concepts. Illustrative case studies are included wherever possible, setting out in an accessible way the pitfalls, challenges and opportunities of research or practice in that area. Suggestions for further reading are included with each chapter. The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes is an essential reference for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students of EAP within English, Applied Linguistics and TESOL.