Abstract

The term English for academic purposes (EAP) covers language research and instruction that focuses on the communicative needs and practices of individuals working in academic contexts. It therefore includes a range of activities from designing listening materials to describing the discourse of doctoral defences, and while often characterised as a practical affair, it goes beyond preparing learners for study in English to understanding the kinds of literacy found in the academy. EAP is, then, a branch of applied linguistics, consisting of a significant body of research into effective teaching and assessment, descriptions of the linguistic and discoursal structures of academic texts, and analysis of the textual practices of academics.