English for Academic Purposes

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English for Academic Purposes
A Case Study from York
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Overview

• International Students at the University of York
• English for Academic Purposes programme
• Reflecting on the outcome
• Arguments for and against English Language
  Support what have we learnt

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Arrival in York

• Culture shock of new environment
• Highly directed to self directed learning
• Minimal guidance on what to study
• Comparatively empty timetable
• Confusing academic conventions group work,
  seminars, assignments
• Apparent exclusion from social activities
• High expectations

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Common academic problems

• Unrealistic expectations
• Whirlwind induction week
• Understanding lectures
• Exams and assignments
• Confidence dip
• Devalued prior learning styles
• Sojourners or reflective learners

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English for academic purposes (EAP)

• Survey of all OS students
• Academic writing skills
• Reading writing and planning
• Structure and paragraphs
• Using Source material
• Editing and style
• Analysing not describing
• One to one coaching
• EAP sessions start in 2004

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What happened in 2004?

• Formative writing exercise (17 did it)
• Skills sessions
• Small numbers attended (9 of year group)
• The worried well
• Very few ESL students
• Chinese students noticeably absent
• Did not reach the target audience
• Marginal impact on student performance

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Where did we go wrong?

• Departmental issues
• IELTs
• Induction student handbook
• Assessment strategy
• Optional formative assessment
• Indifference

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Where did I go wrong?

• Design of academic skills programme
• Not compulsory
• Lack of support from colleagues
• Concerns about targeting ESL students
• Deficit model
• Extra work

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Lessons learnt

• Improve staff awareness
• Induction - drip feed information
• Value alternative learning strategies
• Assessment strategies
• Social inclusion
• Value class diversity

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The benefits of an EAP Programme

• Helps adjustment to UK HE
• Academic conventions
• Appropriate writing styles
• Critical analysis
• Business English
• Marginal improvement (difficult to measure)

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The problems and dangers

• Deficit model
• A problem for international students
• Classes them as different
• Forced assimilation
• Extra sessions
• Extra burden
• Someone elses responsibility

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The alternatives to EAP programmes

• Adjust HE
• To reflect the reality of the student population
• The difference between home and international
  students are not that great
• Internationalise curriculum and teaching and
  learning
• Embed cross-cultural skills in the curriculum

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EAP Programmes in 2008

• International student numbers increased
• Summer school provision
• Voucher system
• Streaming
• Timing
• Attendance
• More bespoke content
• Cross-Cultural Communications

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The Future

• EAP Programmes
• Extending the voucher scheme
• IELTS - a higher entry standard
• Internationalisation?
• Adjusting teaching and learning practice
• Reflective teaching practice
• Internationalising home students
• Post globalisation employability

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Discussion