Academic Reading for Non-Native English Speakers

  • Azadeh Akbari (Autor/in)

Identifier (Artikel)

Abstract

This paper reports on the author’s final assignment to obtain the Baden-Württemberg Certificate for Teaching and Learning at University Level that focused on reading English academic texts for non-native English speakers. The paper firstly defines English for Academic Purposes (EAP) in light of the growing number of international students and the internationalisation of German universities indicated by English-language degree courses, publications, and research groups. It then analyses the current EAP and study skills courses offered by the University of Heidelberg to undergraduate and postgraduate students and identifies the gap in supporting academic reading skills, either in English or German language. Due to the importance of reading English academic texts for non-native English speakers in today’s academia, the paper describes a one-off teaching experiment on the subject. The seminar “reading English academic texts” suggests learning objectives and different methods for possible future development of academic reading courses as part of EAP programs. The students’ evaluation of the course demonstrated a significant desire by students to receive further training in this area. The project further highlights the importance of teacher training, improvement of feedback channels between students and curriculum designers, and integration of academic reading into language and study skills programs.

Statistiken

loading

Literaturhinweise

ANDRADE, Maureen S. 2006. “International students in English-speaking universities: Adjustment factors.” Journal of Research in International Education 5 (2): pp. 131–154.

BASTURKMEN, Helen (ed.). 2015. English for Academic Purposes. Routledge.

BIGGS, John. 2020. Constructive Alignment. (https://www.johnbiggs.com.au/academic/constructive-alignment/; Accessed: 27.09.2020).

BLYTHMAN, Margo, ULLIN, Joan, ILTON, Jane, and ORR, Susan. 2003. “Implementation issues for study support.” In Teaching academic writing in European higher education, edited by BJÖRK, Lennart, BRÄUER, Gerd, RIENECKER, Lotte and STRAY JÖRGENSON, Peter , pp. 195-208. USA: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

CAPLAN, Nigel A. 2016. “Putting it together: integrated skills in EAP.” Modern English teacher 25 (1): pp. 28–30.

DAAD & DZHW. 2019. Wissenschaft weltoffen 2019. Study Destination Germany – Motives and Experiences of International Students, Bielefeld: wbv Media GmbH.

GRADUATE ACADEMY. 2020. Writing support services for doctoral candidates in German and English. (https://www.graduateacademy.uni-heidelberg.de/beratung/sprachberatung_en.html; Accessed: 11.09.2020).

HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY: FACTS & FIGURES. 2020. International Profile. (https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/en/university/facts-figures/international-profile; Accessed: 27.09.2020).

IVANIŠ, Ana, SAMBUNJAK, Dario, RAKANOVIĆ TODIĆ, Maida, KADMON, Martina and STRITTMATTER-HAUBOLD, Veronika. 2009. “The sandwich design of teaching and learning.” In Manual of Teaching and Learning in Medicine, edited by BOKONJIC, Dejan, STEINER, Thorsten and SONNTAG, Hans-Günther. Heidelberg: INTEL M.

LIPPMAN, Laura H., RYBERG, Renee, CARNEY, Rachel and MOORE, KRISTIN A. 2015. Key "Soft Skills” that Foster Youth Workforce Success: Toward a Consensus Across Fields. Child Trends.

SMITH, Sheldon. 2020. What is EAP? (https://www.eapfoundation.com/about/whatiseap/; Accessed: 22.05.2021).

STUDY IN GERMANY. 2020a. Find Programme & University: Bachelor, English, Heidelberg. (https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/plan-your-studies/find-programme-and-university/?a=result&q=&degree=24&courselanguage=2&federalstates%5B%5D=1&locations=Heidelberg&admissionsemester=&sort=name&page=1; Accessed: 27.09.2020).

—. 2020b. Find Programme & University: Master, English, Heidelberg. (https://www.study-in-germany.de/en/plan-your-studies/find-programme-and-university/?a=result&q=&degree=37&courselanguage=2&federalstates%5B%5D=1&locations=Heidelberg&universities%5B1%5D=1&admissionsemester=&sort=name&page=1, Accessed: 27.09.2020).

STUDY IN UK. 2020. International Student Statistics in UK 2020. (https://www.studying-in-uk.org/international-student-statistics-in-uk/; Accessed: 27.09.2020).

UNIVERSITÄTSVERWALTUNG. 2019. “Studierendenstatistik der Universität Heidelberg Wintersemester 2019/20.” (https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/md/studium/download/191213__studierendenstatistik_ws_1920.pdf; Accessed: 27.09.2020).

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE. n.d. English for Academic Purposes. (https://sites.udel.edu/eli/programs/iep/tracks/eap/; Accessed: 22.05.2021).

WINGATE, Ursula. 2006. “Doing away with ‘study skills’.” Teaching in Higher Education 11 (4): pp. 457–469.

Websites

https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/home; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://collegeinfogeek.com/; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7976/; Accessed 22.05.2021.

https://isz.uni-heidelberg.de/; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/slk/ScientificWriting.html; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/slk/Studyskills.html; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://www.uni-muenster.de/CareerService/programm/stempel.html; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaJD4vYNav5Zub15IyplZ0g; Accessed 18.10.2021.

https://www.youtube.com/user/electrickeye91/videos; Accessed 18.10.2021.

Veröffentlicht
2021-11-24
Sprache
Englisch
Schlagworte
EAP, Lernen, Leseverständnis, Nicht-Muttersprachler:innen, Universität Heidelberg