Unit 1.

- Introduction to Academic English

1.1.What is Academic English ?



Before answering this question straight away, why dont you reflect
upon the activities below, as they will gradually pave the way to this first
question?

Consider the notion of Academic
1. What does Academic mean?
a) It refers to learning from practical skills and experience.
b) It refers to education, especially education in colleges and
universities.
c) It refers to a career.
Consider the notion of General
2. What does General mean?
a) It is used to describe the whole of something, focusing on the
details.
b) Not specific, exact or detailed.
c) It deals with a specific area.
Consider the notion of Academic English vs. General English
3. Based on your previous answers, what definition would refer to
Academic English as opposed to General English?

Roughly speaking ......................English would refer to the kind of
English students will need in everyday situations; whereas
.....................English would refer to those communication skills in
English which are required in formal educational settings.
Unit 1.- Introduction to Academic English
1.1.1. Academic Style

Many words in academic English are the same as everyday vocabulary,
but they are often used with a slightly different meaning, which may be
specialised.
Everyday word Meaning Academic use Meaning
Please, underline
your name.
Drawing a line
under something.
It underlines the
importance of
international
trade
agreements.
Giving emphasis
to something.
Ice is solid. Not liquid or gas There is no solid
evidence that
radiation has
caused the
problem.
Certain or safe.

EXERCISE 1. Each word in the box can be used in two ways: an
everyday way or an academic way. Complete each pair of sentences
using the same word for both sentences and make any necessary
grammatical changes.

generate / turn / solid / confirm / identify / underline / character /
pose / nature / focus

1. She loves to ............................... for photographs in front of her
fabulous house.
2. The events ................................... a threat to stability in the region.

3. It was difficult to .................... the camera on the flower as it was so
small.
4. We should .............................our attention on the most important
issues.

5. I called the airline and ..........................my reservation.
6. The data .................................... my hypothesis that animal-lovers enjoy
better health.

Unit 1.- Introduction to Academic English
7. The power plant .......................... electricity for the whole region.
8. This issue always ............................. a great deal of debate among
academics.

9. The murderer was .............................. from fingerprints discovered at
the scene.
10. In this theory of history, progress is closely ........................... with
technology.

11. She became interested in ................................... conservation.
12. The first lecture in the series was on the ............................ of human
communication.

13. Jims a very interesting .............................. I hope you meet him.
14. The book attempts to explain the fundamental ................................ of
social life.

15. I saw her ....................................... to her husband and whisper
something in his ear.
16. Let us now ................................to the subject of town planning.

17. He always ...................... every new word when hes reading.
18. The study ....................................... the fact that very little research
exists.

19. The liquid became .................................. as the temperature was
lowered.
20. The study lacks ................................. evidence and therefore its
conclusions are doubtful.



Formal vs. Informal Style
In writing, academics use many expressions which are neutral, but
they also make use of formal expressions which are not common in everyday
English.



Unit 1.- Introduction to Academic English
Neutral More formal
in short,
briefly,
basically
in sum,
to sum up
only solely
almost / more or less virtually
try attempt
mainly / mostly primarily
really good prime
typical of characteristic of
no way in any way

EXERCISE 2. Use more formal alternatives to the words in bold. Make
any necessary grammatical changes.

1. The book is mainly concerned with the problem of policing the
internet.


2. Almost every school in the country had reported problems with the
new system.

3. The work of the Institute is not only devoted to cancer research.


4. Basically, we believe we have demonstrated a significant link between
the two events.


5. We tried to find a new way of understanding the data.

6. The study is a really good example of the way sociologists collect
their data.


7. The reaction is typical of the way large corporations keep control of
their markets.


8. Theres no way London can be compared to Sydney as a place to live
and work.
Unit 1.- Introduction to Academic English
Written English vs. Spoken English
If possible, avoid using words and phrases normally used in everyday
spoken English.
For instance:
Lectures commence at ten oclock instead of Lectures begin...

EXERCISE 3. Choose the correct word or phrase in italics.

1. The government estimates/guesses that prices will rise by 1% this
year.
2. Phones today just dont look like/resemble phones from the 60s.
3. It is a good idea/advisable to arrive ten minutes before the
examination begins.
4. The use of WiFi technology is now widespread/everywhere.
5. Lots of young people transmit/send messages to their friends by
SMS.
6. The mobile phone industry has announced that the cost of using
mobile phones is expected to decrease/go down rapidly within the
next two years.

EXERCISE 4. Replace the underlined more informal words and phrases
in the text with a more formal word or phrase from the box.

are not able to / be very time-consuming / communicate / express /
represent / In the same way as / that is to say / As a result

Communicating without speaking




How can you get your ideas across to people if you cant speak,
perhaps because you are deaf? It would take ages to write down everything
you needed to say. One solution is to use sign language. The recorded
Unit 1.- Introduction to Academic English
history of sign languages, or to put it another way, languages using ones
hands, began in the sixteenth century. The gestures used by signers can
stand for complete ideas in addition to single words. Just like spoken
languages, signed languages vary from country to country and from region
to region. So, there is a wide variety of sign languages in use around the
world.
EXERCISE 5. Look at these formal sentences and replace the more
informal words or phrases with more formal ones from the box below:

are absent from / arrive / contact / enormous / returned / inform

1. For further information on courses in communication technology, get
in touch with Dr. Williams in the Department of Information
Technology.


2. From 1950 to 2000, there were very big developments in the field of
computer technology.


3. Please let the director know if there are any problems.


4. Students who miss classes as a result of illness are required to
produce a medical certificate.


5. The director of the department will get here at 3pm.


6. All books must be brought back to the library by Monday 26
th
June.