The topics in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course teach the particular language skills that one needs in order to integrate successfully into the academic community. Therefore, the EAP course tends to give much attention to topics relating to reading and writing skills. Conversely, listening and speaking skills are given greater emphasis in General English (GE) classes and English for Professional Purposes (EPP).
In this post, I will give you the major topics that are taught in a typical English for Academic Purposes class. So if you would like to know the main topics included in the English for Academic Purposes course then you will have them shortly.
Objectives of English for Academic Purposes
The communication skills college students need for their present and future academic work should enable them to perform the below tasks as easily as possible.
- Taking international English language proficiency exams for admission to university either online or offline. Examples of these English Language proficiency exams are TOEFL and TOEIC
- Taking university entrance exams
- Writing undergraduate communicative skills essays
- Listening to, and understanding, university lectures
- Writing college semester essays
- Doing research in a field of academic study
- Reading and understanding college texts
- Effectively studying English or any one of its branches as a full degree or certificate course.
- Being able to proceed with, and succeed in, postgraduate studies
Major Topics in EAP
Let’s now have the major topics in English for Academic Purposes.
1. Reading Comprehension
EAP students in this course learn effective methods of reading, understanding and interpreting the texts they encounter during their academic studies. These include textbooks, English reading comprehension passages, extracts and articles in journals.
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2. Critical Thinking and Analysis
Another important topic that is given much attention in most colleges is building the skills of critical thinking and analysis.
Students learn topics in logic, literature and argumentative writing as a means of developing their critical thinking faculties.
3. Essay Writing
Essay writing is a vital component of English for Academic Purposes. As students are required to write different types of essays to express themselves on different subjects, it is imperative that they are taught the most effective essay writing methods.
In the online Academic English Writing Specialization course, for example, lecturers from the University of California teach academic writing skills to students from all parts of the world.
A similar course offered on Coursera is Essential English for University Success.
4. Research Skills
Among the major topics in English for Academic Purposes is research skills. Research skills play a big role in the proper writing of college students’ dissertations and reports.
5. Presentation Skills
Presentation skills are needed in almost every academic setting. Students learn presentation skills as a key component of the English for Academic Purposes course. It allows them to function properly in situations such as seminars, class papers, defence of theses and dissertations among others.
6. Vocabulary Building
For foreign students looking to study courses in native English-speaking countries like Canada, the UK, the US and Australia, it is imperative to significantly improve their knowledge and use of appropriate vocabulary within the academic community.
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7. Grammar and Syntax
An essential feature of EAP is the teaching and learning of Grammar and Syntax. Such topics as grammatical forms and functions, concord or subject-verb agreement, tense, and active and passive voice take centre stage in every EAP syllabus.
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8. Phonetics and Pronunciation
As should be expected, topics in phonetics and pronunciation are given prominence in a typical English for Academic Purposes course outline.
9. Listening and Speaking Skills
Usually, reading and writing skills learning takes much of the time in an EAP class. Nevertheless, listening and speaking skills training is given as much attention as possible.
10. Cultural awareness and Intercultural Communication
Cultural awareness and intercultural communication form part of the topics under English for Academic Purposes.
The essence of this topic is borne out of the fact that more and more people from varied cultural backgrounds are moving to other parts of the world for the purpose of accessing higher educational opportunities and for career advancement.
11. Note-taking Skills
The importance of effective note-taking in university cannot be overemphasized. New students and researchers in academia learn note-taking to facilitate their academic work.
12. Exam Preparation and Test-Taking Strategies
Exams, quizzes and tests are an integral part of college life. This is why enough room is provided in the English for Academic Purposes course for learners to learn the exam preparation strategies that will help them succeed in their various fields of study.
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13. Summarizing and Paraphrasing
Just like note-taking, a proper grasp of the best summarizing and paraphrasing techniques enhances the effectiveness of students’ work at university.
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14. Referencing and Citation
In a different article, I have written much about the definition and importance of referencing and citation in academic writing. So critical is knowledge of the best practices in referencing and citation that most institutions of higher learning make sure their fresh students take this course as one of the major topics in the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program.
15. Collaborative Learning and Group Work
In English for Academic Purposes, students learn how to work with others for shared results. One reason for this is that research work is built on team effort rather than viewed as isolated projects carried out by individuals.
16. Time Management and Organization
Most university authorities are keen to ensure that all freshers learn effective time management and organization skills. This is necessary for efficiency in academic work.
17. Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
In the course of every English for Academic Purposes program, students are expected to learn how to solve problems creatively and hone their skills in decision-making.
Remember, an important objective of higher education is to equip students with the skills needed for them to help solve the many problems facing the world.
18. Leadership and Communication in Team Projects
Of the many topics in English for Academic Purposes, the Leadership and Communication in Team Projects angle complements whatever skills are learnt under collaborative learning and group work.
And together, these EAP topics contribute to the achievement of the overall objectives of academic study and research.
19. Use of Technology in Academic Settings
Technology has taken hold of every aspect of human life in today’s world. Almost every university in the world is acutely aware of this fact.
Institutions of higher learning recognize the need for students to be able to use technology in all areas of academic study hence the inclusion of this topic in the EAP course.
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20. Study Abroad and Academic Travel.
This sounds more like the Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Communication topic we saw earlier. Travelling for academic purposes and studying abroad are the realities many students in higher education have to deal with today.
This topic helps international students to come to terms with these realities and make the most of them.
Conclusion
Are you planning to enter a traditional university soon? Do you intend to take an online course in the near future for your next degree or certificate?
Then get ready to study most of the above topics as part of the compulsory English for Academic Purposes course for freshers.
Not all universities name the EAP course precisely as such. But whatever the name given to the course, the bottom line is that it is there to help students learn the basic English communication skills needed for effective academic work.
Maybe you are about to complete high school and look forward to applying for college placement. Well, this article should serve as an eye-opener.
For most university programs, you must first take an EAP course that invariably includes the above topics. They will lay the foundation you need for a successful university life.
Ralph Nyadzi is the Director of Studies at Cegast Academy. He is a qualified English tutor with decades of experience behind him. Since 2001, he has successfully coached thousands of High School General Arts WASSCE candidates in English, Literature and related subjects. He combines his expertise with a passion for lifelong learning to guide learners from varying backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. Ralph shares lessons from his blogging journey on BloggingtotheMax. He lives with River, his pet cat, in the Central Region of Ghana.
