The Benefits of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) for International Students

The English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course assists international students in developing the English language skills and communication strategies required to succeed in their academic life in Australia, whether for technical courses or University Graduate or Doctorate. 

The EAP encourages students to achieve high levels of proficiency in the four essential communication skills in English: reading, writing, listening and speaking. 

Furthermore, this program familiarises students with the teaching and study methodology and content required in both technical schools and universities in Australia, as well as developing skills for academic research and oral presentation of academic work. 

If a student performs satisfactorily in the EAP program, the university language centre may offer direct access to university courses and waive the student’s need to take a TOEFL or IELTS exam for admission. 

You must have an intermediate level of English to participate in the EAP program. The course structure varies depending on the institution chosen, and the duration and start dates may be flexible or predetermined by the school. 

 

What is EAP? 

EAP, or English for Academic Purposes, is an English language program that prepares international students to study at Australian colleges or universities by teaching them academic English and the skills needed to succeed in higher education. EAP program offers language instruction to non-native English speakers pursuing associate VET or higher degrees in Australia. The structure of the EAP course will emphasise writing, reading, and listening skills, oral presentation skills, research skills, web literacy, and referencing. The development of critical literacy and critical thinking skills will be emphasised throughout the course.

Students who complete the EAP course at an English college will have a better understanding of how to communicate in academic contexts in English at the Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels. 

 

Why should you study EAP in Australia? 

 

1. Long-term curriculum 

Unlike the IELTS course, which teaches students to pass and aim for a specific test score, EAP teaches English skills that can be used in everyday situations. As a result, students who complete the EAP course will be able to apply their skills and knowledge not only in academic settings in Australia but also in professional settings.

 

2. Enhance and expand academic English skills 

The language used in colleges and universities differs greatly from standard English. EAP teaches you the vocabulary, grammar, skills, and English style required for success at an Australian university. Indeed, EAP is regarded as a university simulation or pre-university, allowing international students to become acquainted with university-type tasks such as writing reports, giving presentations, participating in group assignments, and so on. 

 

3. Work part-time while studying 

On a Student Visa, students in Australia can legally work for 20 hours per week. This will allow them to earn some extra cash to help with living expenses and to fund their social life. In their spare time, they can visit many famous tourist attractions as well as numerous bars and restaurants in Australia. 

 

4. Meet new people and expand your network 

Australia is one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies. As a result, many students from various nationalities have come to study in Australia. International students studying in Australia will have the opportunity to make local and international friends with whom they can practise their English. 

 

Are there any benefits to learning English for academic purposes? 

Yes! Particularly in English-speaking nations, being proficient in English can significantly improve your academic and professional prospects. Here are a few more reasons why enrolling in an academic English programme can help you, especially as a student:

• English is widely spoken all over the world: English is spoken in a large number of countries than any other language. This means that learning it will give you the most bang for your buck in terms of time and effort. 
• Learning a language can lead to new networking opportunities: Learning English can help you communicate clearly with people all over the world. This can lead to a slew of networking and interaction opportunities that can help you advance your career.
• Being fluent in more than one language can open up numerous career opportunities: Your native language skills may be sufficient to support your career in your home country. However, becoming bilingual can enhance your resume. Fluency in a difficult second language, such as English, can demonstrate your eagerness and commitment to learning new skills for your career.
• In the business world, English comprehension is essential: English is commonly referred to as the “language of business” because it is the most widely spoken language in the business world. Being able to communicate in English allows you to attend business meetings, interact with English-speaking clients, and market your company’s products in new countries.
• You may be able to apply to the best universities in the world: English is the medium of instruction at the majority of reputable international universities. As a result, a ‘proof of language proficiency’ is required as part of their eligibility criteria. Pursuing English for Academic Purposes, or EAP can help you gain admission to international universities. 
• English proficiency allows you to explore a wide range of literature: Some of the world’s most famous authors and Nobel Laureates have written in English. Being fluent in the language allows you to explore centuries of English literature.
• Language proficiency allows you to stay current with pop culture: Do you get tired of trying to keep up with the fast-paced subtitles of Hollywood movies and pop culture shows? Completing an English for Academic Purposes program can also help you connect with popular pop culture and English films!
• English is one of the most widely used languages in science: English proficiency is required in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math). Knowing the language allows you to access some of the world’s most intellectual resources.

 

How to Improve Your Academic English 

There are two ways to improve your academic English skills: reading and writing. University coursework entails a significant amount of reading, often hundreds of pages per week, followed by writing assignments such as essays, short answers, and forum discussions. 

Reading actively is the key to reading academic English. You cannot remain passive. You can’t just flip through the pages and move your eyes from left to right. 

Thinking before you read, thinking while you read, and thinking after you read are all examples of active engagement. When practising academic English before university, you should feel free to select books, articles, and websites that pique your interest and imagination. A reader who is engaged stays engaged. 

Reading English for professional and academic communication requires different strategies than reading for pleasure on the beach, such as: 

• Reading with a goal in mind. This entails reading at various speeds. You could speed through irrelevant chapters while slowing down and scrutinising key passages. 
• Front to back, scanning and skimming the entire book. This is done before beginning on page one. You begin thinking about how to complete your assignment by surveying the author’s approach to the topic. 
• Before, during, and after reading a passage, ask questions about the text and topic. 
• Differentiating between main and supporting points. 
• Sorting through facts and opinions. 
• While reading, consider the ideas. 
• Examining the author’s evidence, reasoning, and persuasiveness critically. 
• Sources are being evaluated. Does the author back up their claims with biased political blogs or credible researchers? 
• To collect and organise ideas, take notes, highlight them, attach post—whatever works for you. 
• Identifying unfamiliar vocabulary from context WITHOUT the use of a dictionary. 
• It takes far too much time to constantly look up words. 

The more you read, the more vocabulary you acquire, the more knowledge you retain, and the greater your understanding of academic writing styles, sentence structures, and persuasion strategies. 

Aside from active reading, essay writing is the second most important aspect of academic English. The underlying principle of English for Academic Purposes is critical thinking. When you write essays, you put your critical thinking skills to use. 

Writing is an art rather than a science. There are millions of equally effective ways to write about a topic in academic English. Your own distinct writer’s voice emerges as you improve your academic English. Your writing voice reflects your point of view, personality, values, and background. Your writing style reflects your way of thinking. 

However, the fundamental principles of academic English, such as clarity, concision, and structure, remain. An introduction is required for essays in order to pique the reader’s interest and establish the context or significance of the topic. Most importantly, the thesis statement with your main idea, purpose, or argument is presented at the beginning of the essay. 

The essay’s body provides supporting evidence, explanation, and elaboration. Facts, data, and logical reasoning are used in academic English essays. The conclusion concludes the argument with final remarks. 

An academic English essay may conclude with a prediction, opinion, or call to action to create a sense of closure. Notice how the structure of an academic English essay is linear, or how it follows a straight line? 

Essays, like stories, have a beginning, middle, and end. The beginning establishes the context for your thesis, the middle depicts the action of your argument, and the conclusion creates a sense of completion. 

When writing academic English, keep your readers in mind. You’re not writing to yourself for fun; you’re attempting to persuade an audience. 

What does your target audience already know and believe about the subject? Don’t explain anything that your reader should already know. Don’t, on the other hand, assume that readers will notice what isn’t obvious (to them). 

Is it possible that your reader will bring biases or assumptions to the topic? What strategies would be most effective in persuading a broad audience? What arguments would irritate or alienate your reader? Form your arguments to counter the anticipated counterarguments. 

You pay close attention to your word choice, sentence structure, and grammar, in addition to taking care of the reader. Though only scratching the surface, here are some pointers to help you improve your Academic English: 

• Avoid broad generalisations. Instead, be more specific. Don’t use the word “everyone.” “79% of adult males between the ages of 18 and 30,” you say. 
• Repetition should be avoided. Make your point only once. Make it efficient. Make it memorable. Make it flawless. But don’t make the same point over and over and… 
• Gendered language should be avoided. Say businessperson instead of businessman. Synthetic is preferred over man-made. Surgeons should be referred to as they rather than him. 
• Use active verbs: Dynamic verbs give your sentences life. (However, in highly objective scientific writing, such as research and lab reports, passive voice is appropriate.) 
• Use the proper verb tense. Again, pay attention to the verbs in a sentence. Examine the form (past or present?), the number (singular or plural), and the time sequence (what comes before and after what?) 
• Complete your sentences. A subject and a predicate are required in every sentence (verb). Fragments (incomplete sentences) and run-ons are the worst things to have in academic English writing (super long, incorrect sentences that you must divide up into shorter, correct sentences.) 
• Change the length and structure of your sentences. Academic writing is spiced with variety. Create a careful, detailed sentence, for example, with relative clauses, descriptive language, and details. Then, for added impact, include a short, punchy sentence. A good range is between 3 and 50 words per sentence.

 

What is English for Academic Purposes (EAP) exactly? What differentiates it from social English? 

The following are the primary characteristics of academic English: 

• A little more formal:  Meanwhile, you follow strict formatting guidelines. Font, margins, line breaks, footnotes, punctuation, italics, and other formalities are examples of formatting. 
• A little less personal: Rather than saying “I believe,” here you present data, logic, and reasoning. However, as long as you remain objective, your academic English style can still reflect your personality. 
• More organised: Academic texts and speeches adhere to organisational plans. Sentences, paragraphs, and essays are all carefully constructed and linked. Papers and presentations are typically linear, meaning they proceed in a straight line from point A to point B to point C, and so on, beginning with the introduction, continuing through body paragraphs, and ending with the conclusion. 
• Less opinionated: Academic English aims for objectivity by presenting facts and balancing opposing viewpoints. Rather than stating unequivocally that “X is definitely true,” academic writing frequently suggests that “X may be true because…” or “X is possible that…” Arguments support opinions that are subject to change.
  
• Additional evidence: Academic English also includes research findings, expert quotes, and paraphrases of other texts. You cite sources, giving credit to other authors while adding your own analysis. If you fail to cite your sources, the professor may believe you stole the ideas; in other words, you plagiarised. Plagiarism is an academic violation that can result in a failing grade or expulsion.  
• More precise and clear: Although the ideas are complex, the language is clear and concise. While your field may necessitate some specialised vocabulary, academic English does not necessitate fancy lingo, complicated grammar, or lengthy lectures. You select the most effective words to convey your message and then move on to the next point.

Without academic English words like these, you’ll struggle to understand and produce basic academic English, regardless of whether you major in economics, law, or sociology. Taking an academic English course is a great way to improve your essay writing and academic English vocabulary skills.