Topic_3_Study_Guide__Using_language_for_academic_purposes

Page 1: Review of Academic Language

• Pointing: Evolves into naming things, including general categories and abstract concepts.

• Imitating: Leads to learning through interaction and collaboration, developing both everyday and academic knowledge.

• Pretending: Translates to using symbols to represent meanings, including words and images.

• Language Learning Steps:

  • Step 1: Generalising

  • Step 2: Making abstract meanings

  • Step 3: Transitioning from everyday language to educational language

• Questions: Reflect on personal experiences transitioning to academic language and success in this area.

Page 2: Introduction to Academic English

• Definition: Academic English refers to spoken and written English used in academic contexts.

• Learning: Students acquire Academic English throughout primary, secondary, and tertiary education.

• Miller's Quote (2015): Academic English isn't a native language; all students must learn it regardless of home language.

• Topics Covered:

  1. Review of academic language origin

  2. Outline of academic English

  3. Transition from everyday to academic language

  4. Definitions of technical terms

  5. Academic cultures

  6. Practice analysis exercise

  7. Portfolio task

Page 3: Everyday vs. Academic Language

• Spoken Language: Everyday speech often consists of additive phrases using simple words.

• Written Academic English: Requires planning and drafting, conveying denser information often in noun groups and abstract nouns.

Page 4: Language Evolution Example

• Change in Language Examples: Observe how terms evolve as language shifts from casual to formal, e.g., 'cars' to 'air-borne vehicle emission pollution.'

Page 5: Textual Examples of Language Change

• Text 1-6 Differences:

  • Text 1: Casual and conversational.

  • Text 2: Informative yet still informal.

  • Text 3-6: Progressively formal and technical language with clear definitions and structures.

• Questions: Consider contexts, purposes, informality vs. formality, and modes of communication of each extract.

Page 6: Defining Technical Terms

• Importance of Technical Terms: Academic writing frequently includes specialized vocabulary that conveys precise meanings.

• Examples:

  • Pollution: Introduction of contaminants.

  • Respiratory Diseases: Conditions affecting gas exchange in organisms.

  • Frail Elderly: Older persons with impairments limiting independence.

  • Morbidity: State of being diseased or unhealthy.

Page 7: Knowledge Organization

• Descriptive Information Reports: Organized knowledge into categories through a classification taxonomy.

Page 8: Finding Taxonomy in Text

• Taxonomy Levels:

  1. General classification

  2. Features

  3. Types or parts of features

Page 9: Examples of Cause and Effect Explanations

• Historical Context: Examine causes of the Great Depression with focus on World War I investments and resulting debt issues.

• Scientific Context: Everyday spoken explanation of ear function versus formal written explanation using technical terms.

Page 10: Writing Analytically

• Analytical Writing: Involves structure based on related concepts within writing such as essays and reports.

Page 11: Abstract Nouns and Taxonomy

• Role of Abstract Nouns: They provide a framework for the main concepts in analytical writing.

Page 12: Descriptive vs. Analytical Writing

• Activity: Compare descriptive writing to analytical writing in terms of structure and content focus.

Page 13-14: Types of Transport

• Descriptive Report on Transport:

  • Cars: Definition and societal relevance.

  • Buses: Description and public transport implications.

• Activity: Diagram structures and highlight important linguistic features.

Page 15: Writing Persuasively

• Persuasive Writing: Highly valued in academia; includes organization, logical explanation, technical definitions, analysis, critical thinking, and arguments.

• Example Structure: Introduction, issue preview, arguments for/against, conclusion.

Page 16-17: Essay Examples and Analysis

• Persuasive Text Comparison:

  • Answer 1: Informative, lacking persuasion.

  • Answer 2: Analytical but not persuasive.

  • Answer 3: Strongly persuasive with clear organization and arguments.

Page 18: Role of Topic Sentences

• Topic Sentences: Introduce main ideas in paragraphs.

• Sentence Openers: Serve as signposts for direction and structure in writing.