ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES: A TOOL FOR ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Abstract

The paper reiterates the need to reassess the teaching of English for Academic Purposes and to re-examine the needs of students and EAP programmes. The needs of students are defined and further redefined into sub-skills. The study emphasises that the various EAP sub-skills required differ according to the specific academic programme being followed by a student. It is also important for language teachers to liaise closely with subject specialists and try to quantify each need according to the particular programme. This is followed by a discussion on the theme-based integrated skills course and a description of typical theme- based work conducted at the University of Leeds.