Why study English for academic purposes course in Australia?  

English is frequently referred to as the “language of opportunity.” Learning a language can provide a plethora of personal and professional opportunities throughout your life.  

Naturally, there are various kinds of English language learning classes in every country that cater to distinct types of language needs. While some people want to learn enough English to travel to an English-speaking country, many international students want to improve their English to advance in their careers.  

Many universities provide English for Academic Purposes programmes for these students in order to help them gain admission to foreign colleges. Let’s take a look at what an EAP programme entails and why you should pursue it.  

 

What is EAP?  

English for Academic Purposes, or EAP, is exactly what it sounds like. Students plan to use English in educational settings in the future, and this is the type of English they want to learn in EAP classes.  

EAP classes are distinct from general ESL classes in that students in EAP classes have specific goals in mind. They are learning English in order to function in specific academic situations in the future, and they intend to use the English required to do so.  

 

Entry Requirements  

An entry requirement for the EAP is that students must have IELTS proficiency of 5.0 overall band score (minimum 5.0 on writing) or completion of General English Upper Intermediate level to enrol in the EAP Upper Intermediate course.  

Students must have an IELTS proficiency of 5.5 overall band score (minimum 5 on writing) or equivalent to enrol in the EAP Advanced course.  

Students interested in this programme are welcome to take an English language assessment at the IIBIT Academy of English 

They are not necessarily seeking native-speaker-like fluency or complete knowledge of the English language because they have a specific goal. They are not interested in taking general or comprehensive English classes.  

 

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

The definition of English for Academic Purposes is as straightforward as it sounds. Most of the EAP programs are academic English language tutorial classes developed for non-native English speakers or those who struggle to understand the language.  

EAP programs are incredibly popular in countries where English is the language of instruction in higher education, such as Canada. Taking an EAP course can help you improve your English language skills so that you can ace your university classes and beyond.  

The following are the primary characteristics of academic English:  

• More formal: It’s more formal now. This includes refraining from using slang, contractions, and idioms. Meanwhile, you follow strict formatting guidelines. Font, margins, line breaks, footnotes, punctuation, italics, and other formalities are examples of formatting.   
• Less personal: Rather than saying “I assume,” or “I think,” you present data, logic, and reasoning. However, as long as you remain objective, your academic English style can still reflect your personality.  
• More structured: Academic texts and speeches adhere to organizational plans. Sentences, paragraphs, and essays are all meticulously structured 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, proceeding through body paragraphs, and ending with the conclusion.  
• Less opinionated: Academic English strives for objectivity by presenting facts and balancing opposing viewpoints. Instead of asserting unequivocally that “X is definitely true,” academic writing frequently suggests that “X may be true because…” or “It is possible that X is true…” Arguments back up opinions, which are subject to revision.  
• Additional evidence: Academic English 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 do not cite your sources, the professor may believe you stole the ideas; in other words, you plagiarized. Plagiarism is an academic violation that can result in a failing grade or expulsion.  
• More precise and concise: Although the ideas are complex, the language is clear and concise. While your field may necessitate some specialized vocabulary, academic English does not necessarily involve 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.  

  

You should concentrate more on being objective, organized, and precise while learning how to improve your Academic English.  

  

Reasons to pursue English for Academic purposes  

Yes! Being proficient in English can significantly improve your academic and career prospects, particularly in English-speaking countries. Here are a few more reasons why enrolling in an academic English program can help you, especially as a student:  

 

1. Learning the language can open up potential networking opportunities: Learning English can allow you to communicate clearly with countless people across the globe. This can lead to numerous networking and interaction opportunities, which can help advance your career. 
2. Learning a language can led to new networking opportunities: Learning English can help you communicate clearly with people all over the world. This can lead to numerous networking and interaction opportunities, which can help advance your career. 
3. Being fluent in more than one language can open up numerous career opportunities: Your native language skills may be sufficient to help 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.  
4. English comprehension is essential in the business world: Because English is the most widely spoken language in the business world, it is often referred to as the “language of business.” Being able to communicate in English allows you to attend business meetings, communicate with English-speaking clients, and market your company’s products in new countries.  
5. 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, as part of their eligibility criteria, they require ‘proof of language proficiency.’ Pursuing English for Academic Purposes, or EAP can help you gain admission to international universities y enhance your academic skills.  
6. Being fluent in the language 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? Able to complete an English for Academic Purposes program can also help you connect with popular pop culture and English films!  
7. English is one of the most widely used languages in the scientific domain: English proficiency is essential in the fields of STEM, science, technology, engineering, and even math. Knowing the language allows you to access some of the world’s most intellectual resources.  

 

Why do university applicants require specialized English instruction?  

In short, the English you will hear in an Australian university is very different from the English you will hear on the street.  

Your lectures, tutorials, and reading materials at university will all be in English. It will often be written in more formal language, with more complex sentence structures or technical vocabulary.   

Not to mention that you will read and use studies, reports, research, and books during your studies. These resources will be critical for your homework and exam preparation.  

Many of these books, reports and studies will also use far more complex language than you’ll find on Sydney’s streets.  

Furthermore, many of your assignments will be graded on English fluency: if you want to succeed, you must learn how to write at a university level. 

As a result, university applicants from non-English speaking backgrounds should prepare for this by enrolling in an English course in Sydney that teaches them the type of language they will experience in higher education institutions such as universities!  

  

What does English for Academic Purposes Courses involve?  

Academia’s EAP programme is divided into two levels:   

 

English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP 1)  

Designed for foundation and diploma programmes, EAP 1 is ideal if you want to continue your education in Academia. To be admitted to EAP 1, you should successfully complete the General English course at an upper immediate level (GE5).    

A GE5 with us is equivalent to a 5.0 IELTS (International English Language Testing Scheme) score and will prepare you for tertiary education.   

The English for Academic Purposes 1 (EAP1) level is the first of two levels in a 24-week EAP programme. The primary goal for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students is to provide them with the skills required to fully integrate into an undergraduate course at an Australian university.

With a focus on critical thinking, academic writing, and presentation skills, the EAP programme is designed to prepare students for the academic rigour of a degree course learning and assessment environment.   

   

English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAP 2)   

EAP 2 is more advanced and covers more complicated language and advanced English skills. It is designed for university applicants. This course is ideal for students who want to further their education and attend university.   

You must have an upper immediate, or advanced understanding of English to complete this course. This corresponds to an IELTS score of 5.5.  

The English for Academic Purposes 2 (EAP2) level is the second of two levels in a 24-week EAP programme. The primary goal for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students is to provide them with the skills necessary to fully integrate into an undergraduate course at an Australian university. With a focus on critical thinking, academic writing, and presentation skills, the EAP program is designed to prepare students for the academic rigour of a degree course learning and assessment environment.    

 

Write essays and reports.  

Many of your university assignments will be essays and reports. You will be graded on your level of English proficiency as well as how clearly you present arguments, messages, and observations in your essays as part of the grading system.  

Academia will teach you how to write these essays and reports. You will learn the language that markers are looking for.  

You will also learn how to format your essays and assignments so that you can better communicate your ideas.  

  

Read and understand sources.  

You may need to look for sources as part of your studies, assignments, or revision. You’ll be spending a lot of time on the library database, reading a variety of studies and research. Our knowledgeable instructors will show you how to navigate these resources and find the information you seek. 

Instead of reading sections one by one, you will understand how various sources are structured and where valuable information is placed. You will be able to skip right to the sections you require for your assignment, saving you a lot of time!  

 

Tips to Prepare Your Academic English for University  

  

• Work on your grammar 

   

“I passed my IELTS, so I don’t need to practise my grammar!” many of my students say. Yes, the IELTS exam provides a good foundation for the English you will use on your university course, but you should continue to improve your grammar even after you have met the basic language requirement for admission.  

  

Why work on grammar specifically?  

Most international students are aware of their weak points, and for many of them, writing is one of them. You most likely made some grammar errors in your writing exam, and it’s critical to understand which tenses you should work on before beginning to write academic essays. You don’t want these mistakes to become “fossilized mistakes” (bad habits) that are difficult to correct.  

If you are confident in your ability to use grammar correctly and express your ideas clearly in English, you will be able to devote more time to the other stages of the academic writing process, such as research, formatting, paraphrasing, and so on.  

  

• Enhance your reading speed 

   

You will be expected to read extensively at university, and you will also be required to demonstrate this in your academic writing. Many students are taken aback when they arrive at university and are given a lengthy reading list for their course. Reading for university can be a slow and painful process if you are not in the habit of regularly reading books, articles, and websites in English!  

  

Do you mean scanning and skimming?  

Yes. Skimming (reading an article superficially to gain a general understanding) is sometimes more useful than scanning (when you try and understand every single word). This will be true if you need to find your own sources to back up your ideas.  

You may choose to read an article because you believe it is relevant to your argument, only to discover that the article will not help you with your essay. If you have spent a long time reading this article in detail and looking up every new word in the dictionary, it can be frustrating to have to disregard it. 

So, to begin, save some time and get into the habit of reading for general understanding only. If you don’t know the meaning of a single word, try to deduce it from the context. This will increase your reading speed, and you can then go back and read the article in greater detail if you decide to use it in your essay.  

  

• Listen in a different way! 

   

Many international students struggle with academic listening. This is due to two factors:  

1. Instead of short extracts, students must listen to lengthy lectures. 
2. Students must learn to listen in a new way. 

  

What do you mean by “listen in a new way”?  

Listening exercises at school, with a private teacher, or in exams, as you are aware, require some advanced preparation. You could be given a list of questions, a specific task/context, or an answer sheet with multiple choice options. This is very different from listening to spontaneous English speech, particularly native English speech delivered quickly.  

Listening exercises at school, with a private teacher, or in exams, as you are aware, require some advanced preparation. You could be given a list of questions, a specific task/context, or an answer sheet with multiple choice options. This is very different from listening to spontaneous English speech, particularly native English speech delivered quickly.  

  

Isn’t it possible to record the lecture and listen to it later?  

This may be possible on some courses, but you should check with your department first. Even if the rules state that lectures may be recorded, you will need good listening skills to understand other students in seminars and respond to what they say.  

Listening and note-taking are new skills that many students (including native speakers!) must learn when they enter university. It takes time and effort to master these new skills, so start practising as soon as possible.  

  

• Improve your email etiquette.  

This is a student’s email to their tutor. It was sent 5 minutes before the essay’s deadline. Do you think this is appropriate? How would you react if you were the tutor and received this message? 

Unfortunately, most students do not have much experience writing formal emails before starting university. International students may also have difficulty determining the appropriate level of formality to use when speaking and writing in English. When communicating with university staff and other students, it is critical that you make the right impression.  

 

Looking for a CRICOS registered English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course in Australia?  

Only CRICOS-registered courses allow students to enter Australia on a student visa. Highly skilled, competent, and experienced teachers are required for an effective English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course. This is what AICOL offers.  

All of our classrooms have fresh air ventilation.  

Our EAP class participates in outdoor activities on occasion. On a tourist visa, you can study English for academic purposes for up to 12 weeks. The AICOL English for Academic Purposes class is learning about the local environment. 

Our English for Academic Purposes course prepares international students who want to improve their English skills. It is intended for students preparing to take an IELTS or Cambridge CAE test in Australia for university or vocational study, work, pleasure, or immigration.