Course Catalogue

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This course is suitable for teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds who are interested in developing their understanding of practices and skills required for teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP). It is primarily aimed at those who are entering the specialised area of EAP, in anglophone and non-anglophone English medium instruction (EMI) contexts, but will also be of interest to teachers who wish to explore the area in more detail. Areas covered include exploring academic contexts, understanding and producing academic texts and EAP course design and assessment.

The course is delivered via a VLE/Moodle (online/e-learning tasks e.g. contributions to forum discussions, course reading materials and online lecture resources).

First degree and normally a recognised professional teaching qualification

Level of English equivalent to a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.5 in any skill

Teaching experience is desirable

Teaching English for Academic Purposes (face to face) EAS5005

None

2 assignments:

1. Research and report on a specific academic context/discipline (including exploration of academic discourse) 2000 words (50%)

2. An essay which investigates a specific aspect of EAP or ESAP teaching accompanied by an evaluation of teaching materials 2000 words (50%)

This online course aims to provide participants with a foundation in the principles and practices of teaching and learning in the field of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and English for Specific Academic Purposes (ESAP). They will:

■ gain an understanding of academic contexts, academic discourse communities and practices and their relevance to EAP lesson and course design

■ investigate the role which learner needs, autonomy and criticality play in an academic context

■ investigate disciplinary differences (relating to language and genre)

■ apply knowledge of academic discourse (specific genres and linguistic features) in the analysis of related tasks and materials 

■ enhance their skills in evaluating materials and planning lessons for students in an EAP context

■ apply knowledge of assessment and feedback and criteria to specific practices

■ develop skills to research academic discourse and practice (to provide tailored support to learners)

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ critically evaluate academic contexts and practices and relate these to teacher and learner roles in the EAP classroom

■ identify learner needs and select appropriate pedagogic frameworks

■ investigate and report on disciplinary discourse practices in an area

■ analyse and differentiate key linguistic and rhetorical features of academic discourse

■ apply theory to practice in selecting appropriate materials and frameworks for planning EAP lessons

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.