Teaching and Researching English for Academic Purposes

Module title	Teaching and Researching English for Academic Purposes
Module code	EFPM837
Academic year	2022/3
Credits	15
Module staff	Dr Philip Durrant (Convenor)

Duration: Term	1	2	3
Duration: Weeks		10

Number students taking module (anticipated)	10

Description - summary of the module content

Module description

Millions of university students around the world today use English for some part of their studies, whether they be studying in an English-speaking country, attending an English-medium university elsewhere, or merely trying to access the latest research or textbooks. This module, which is recommended for students with some teaching experience, focuses on developing ways to understand and meet those students’ needs. You will have the chance to see how applied linguists research academic communication, to explore how instructional programmes in English for Academic Purposes can be developed and to develop your own awareness of academic language and skills.

Module aims - intentions of the module

1. Develop a critical understanding of current approaches to the teaching of English for Academic Purposes (EAP);

2. Develop a critical understanding of current key issues and debates in EAP research and scholarship;

3. Critically review the procedures of analysing needs as a stage in EAP syllabus design;

4. Increase awareness of the language and structure of EAP texts;

5. Develop an awareness of genre and corpus analysis and the role of research into language use in the design of EAP courses and materials; and

6. Develop a critical understanding of programme development and testing techniques appropriate to EAP.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

1. demonstrate a critical understanding of key issues in EAP research and scholarship;
2. apply an understanding of needs analysis in the design of appropriate EAP courses;
3. demonstrate a critical understanding of key aspects of teaching and testing methodologies appropriate to EAP;
4. use techniques of genre and corpus analysis to deepen their understanding of EAP;
5. present samples of needs/language analysis for group and class discussion;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

6. demonstrate a critical understanding of the role of specific needs and learner diversity in language education;
7. explain and justify the rationale behind the choice or design of teaching and testing materials;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

8. engage in independent study and group/pair work;
9. analyse critically relevant academic literature; and
10. demonstrate an understanding of the nature of academic texts.

Syllabus plan

The module will include the following topics:

The role of English in global higher education and research;
The nature of academic discourse;
Analyzing academic texts through genre and corpus analysis;
EAP needs analysis;
EAP teaching methodologies;
Syllabus design and assessment in EAP.

Learning and teaching

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
16	134	0

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	16 hours	8 x 2-hour Seminars and tutorials
Guided independent study	24 hours	Directed reading: seminar preparation/review
Guided independent study	40 hours	Directed reading: further exploration of chosen topics
Guided independent study	10 hours	Formative assignment preparation
Guided independent study	60 hours	Summative assignment preparation

Assessment

Formative assessment

Form of assessment	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Progress report on summative assessment, presented both orally and in writing to tutor and peer feedback groups.	300-500 word report; 5 minute presentation	Depending on choice of topic: 2 or 4	Oral feedback from peers and tutor

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Coursework	Written exams	Practical exams
100	0	0

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment	% of credit	Size of the assessment (eg length / duration)	ILOs assessed	Feedback method
Written paper presenting, with reference to the relevant academic literature, either: a) an analysis of the potential role for needs analysis in the process of course design for a particular group of learners and a plan for conducting a suitable needs analysis; or b) an analysis of a collection or corpus of (spoken or written) academic texts and discussion of the implications of the analysis for teaching	100	3,750 words	Depending on choice of topic: 2 or 4	Written feedback from tutor.
	0
	0
	0
	0
	0

Re-assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Timescale for re-assessment
Written paper presenting, with reference to the relevant academic literature, either: a) an analysis of the potential role for needs analysis in the process of course design for a particular group of learners and a plan for conducting a suitable needs analysis; or b) an analysis of a collection or corpus of (spoken or written) academic texts and discussion of the implications of the analysis for teaching	Written paper presenting, with reference to the relevant academic literature, either: a) an analysis of the potential role for needs analysis in the process of course design for a particular group of learners and a plan for conducting a suitable needs analysis; or b) an analysis of a collection or corpus of (spoken or written) academic texts and discussion of the implications of the analysis for teaching	Depending on choice of topic: 2 or 4	As agreed with module leader

Resources

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Charles, M. & Pecorari, D. (2015). Introducing English for Academic Purposes. London: Routledge.

Bruce, I. (2011). Theory and concepts of English for Academic Purposes. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Hyland, K. (2006). English for academic purposes: an advanced resource book. London: Routledge.

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk

Module has an active ELE page

Indicative learning resources - Other resources

Journals:

English for Specific Purposes: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/english-for-specific-purposes/

Journal of English for Academic Purposes: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-english-for-academic-purposes/

Key words search

TESOL; English for Academic Purposes; English for Specific Purposes; Corpus; Genre; Needs Analysis

Credit value	15
Module ECTS	7.5
Module pre-requisites	None
Module co-requisites	None
NQF level (module)	7
Available as distance learning?	No
Origin date	27/06/2012
Last revision date	13/08/20