ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC AND SPECIFIC PURPOSES

Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Facultad de Filosofía y Letras

Departamento de Historia
Lengua Extranjera 2 (Inglés)

ENGLISH BOOKLET FOR ACADEMIC

AND SPECIFIC PURPOSES
2021

Autoras: Prof. Araniti Adriana, Prof. Correas Victoria, Prof. Espresatti Carolina

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Table of contents

EAP PART 1: Enrolling on a course page 3

EAP PART 2: The importance of abstracts page 7

EAP PART 3: Exchange programs page 10

ESP PART 4: The Byzantine Empire page 15

ESP PART 5: The Renaissance page 19

ESP PART 6: Archaeology page 22

Bibliography page 25

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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

PART 1: “ENROLLING ON A COURSE”

LEAD IN

Studying abroad will help you experience different styles of education. By enrolling in a study
abroad program, you’ll have the chance to see a side of your specialization that you may not have
been exposed to at home.
You’ll find that completely immersing yourself in the education system of your host country is a
great way to really experience and understand the people, its traditions, and its culture. Education is
the centerpiece of any study abroad trip—it is, after all, a study abroad program—and choosing the
right school is a very important factor.
Glossary:
• abroad: en el exterior
• immerse: sumergirse
• host: huésped

READING
1)You are interested in taking a course on Ancient History. Read the information
about this course given by LEEDS UNIVERSITY in the UK and say if the sentences
below are True or False.

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From your first year, you'll develop your historical skills and knowledge, as well as an understanding
of concepts like historiography. You’ll also gain an understanding of the development of Greek and
Roman civilization and literature.

After you finish the first common module, you’ll choose from a range of optional modules over the
following two years. You can study Greek religion, the legacy of Augustus, Persia under the
Achaemenids, the Crusades, medicine in the Middle Ages, Victorian England, pre-colonial India,
20th century African history, the fall of the Soviet Union and more.

1. You will learn new concepts. ____

2. You will only learn about History. ____
3. There are optional modules. ____

LISTENING: “Getting an ID Card”

When a student enrolls on a course, the register asks questions to find out some
personal information.

2) Let’s review before doing the listening activity. Complete the text below with the
following words. Be careful because there are some extra words you do not need
to use.

country language address surname age birthplace

email first name nationality birthdate postcode job

______: Rodríguez
______: Ernesto
______: 3 of April, 1998
rd

______: 112 Belgrano Street

______: 5501
______: Argentinian

3) Now listen to a conversation at a register’s office. Complete the text with the
missing information.

AUDIO: https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening/beginner-a1-
listening/getting-id-card

Name: Ahmed Saeed

Age: ____________

Address: ___________Spring Ave,

___________
Post Code: ____________
Nationality: ____________

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Birth date: _____________

WRITING: “A formal email to enroll on a course”

4) You would like to enroll on the Ancient History course you read before (page 4).
Complete the registration form with your information.

University Admission form

Please fill in the form carefully
Name*

First Name Middle Name Last Name

Date of Birth*

Month Day Year

Country*

International Address*

Street Address:

City:

State / Province:

Postal / Zip Code:

Country

Mobile*

Area Code Phone Number

Email

5) When you enroll on a course, you need to send an email to introduce yourself
and to say why you are interested in the course. Read the sample email below and
identify these parts: opening salutation – reasons for writing – body – closing
notes – closing salutation - signature

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Dear Mr. Stevenson,

My name is Carla Smith and I am a student at Toronto University. I’m writing this email because I
am interested in the course on Ancient History.
I am Canadian and I live in Toronto. I am 23 years old and I am in my last year of studies. My
address is 35 Lane street and the post code is M4B 1B3. In case you would like to contact me by
phone, my number is 69 – 246- 5331. I would like to attend the course because I think it will help
me enlarge my knowledge of Ancient History which I love.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Carla Smith,

6) Now you are ready to write your own email. Remember to introduce yourself
and explain the reasons why you want to enroll on the course. Also include an
opening salutation, reasons for writing, body, closing notes, a closing salutation
and your signature.

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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

PART 2: THE IMPORTANCE OF ABSTRACTS

LEAD IN
What is an abstract?

An abstract is a requirement for academic papers to help summarize and explain

the contents of the paper. This permits a quick summary for other researchers that
are looking to use your work as a source for their own personal academic research.
This means that within the abstract all major points should be included without
providing too many details.
Glossary:

• summarize: resumir
• contents: contenidos
• provide: aportar, proveer

LISTENING:
1) Watch a video about abstracts (up to 1.09’), then say if these sentences are
true or false. https://youtu.be/JMEnRBss6V4

a. Abstracts are important because they attract people’s attention.

b. Abstracts include many details of the topic the article will develop.
c. Descriptive abstracts include conclusions.
d. Informative abstracts summarize some parts of the article.

READING
2) Read the sample abstract “Abraham Lincoln’s tactics revisited” and answer
the questions. Remember that abstracts include:

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a. What is the paper going to talk about?

b. When did the incident the paper explores happened?

c. Why did Lincoln send US troops to Baltimore?

d. Does the author include a research question in the abstract?

ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S TACTICS REVISITED

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America, is generally considered
one of the greatest presidents to ever lead the nation. Despite his mythological status of today, in
his own time Lincoln was an exceedingly controversial figure. A naturally gifted politician, Lincoln
nonetheless resorted to draconian tactics to achieve his agenda and free slaves throughout the
South.
The present text explores one such incident, which occurred in 1861. The state of Maryland
was considering secession, as it identified with the South on many critical issues. Lincoln was
unwilling to allow that to happen. The president sent US troops to Baltimore to arrest pro-
Confederate members of the Maryland legislature, in what many historians consider a brazenly
extra-judicious act.
The author attempts a better understanding of this event by reviewing firsthand accounts
of the arrests, press reports of the day, and other original documents pertaining to Lincoln’s
maneuver. The paper seeks to answer the question: To what degree was Lincoln justified in his
arrest of the Maryland legislators, and how have attitudes about this incident changed over 150
years?

WRITING:
Why are keywords important in “abstracts”? Because keywords will ensure the
readers’ interest in looking at your paper.

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3) Read this abstract and pay attention to the keywords the author has selected.
Do the words help you know about the content of the article?

Different ways of estimating the Gross Domestic Product of the Roman Empire in the second
century CE produce convergent results that point to total output and consumption equivalent to 50
million tons of wheat or close to 20 billion sesterces per year. It is estimated that elites (around 1.5
per cent of the imperial population) controlled approximately one-fifth of total income while
middling households (perhaps 10 percent of the population) consumed another fifth. These
findings shed new light on the scale of economic inequality and the distribution of demand in the
Roman world.
Keywords: Roman economy, Roman GDP, Roman inequality

(Author Walter Scheidel – Stanford university)

4) Now read another abstract from the same author and choose 2 or 3 key words.

This paper analyzes the dynamics of income and wealth inequality in two of the largest ancient
empires, Han China and Rome. Pervasive structural similarities emerge from this comparative
survey. In both cases, resource concentration at the top of society was greatly amplified by rent-
seeking and predatory behavior that was commonly linked to privileged access to governmental
functions and institutions. The exercise of or proximity to political power were crucial means of
elite enrichment. Yet the same features also served to constrain the growth and persistence of large
fortunes as the violent seizure and recirculation of elite wealth ensured ongoing redistribution
within the ruling class and among its associates. In the long run, imperial stability was conducive to
growing economic inequality.

Write your keywords here:

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ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES

PART 3: APPLYING FOR AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM

LEAD IN
Whether you’re looking for a full degree program, a semester abroad, or internship opportunities,
studying Archaeology/ History abroad may be a great way to strengthen your CV with unique and
relevant experience. Studying abroad may allow you to put your studies in a real-world context.
You can even develop a new personal passion outside of your primary field. You may have the
opportunity to work with professors and students from all over the world, while immersing
yourself in a new culture in an exciting new location.

Glossary:
• whether: si
• internship: pasantía
• strengthen: fortalecer
• allow: permitir

READING
1) Read about these three programs and choose one you are interested in.
Give reasons for your choice.

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BHFS archaeological digs & archaeological field schools at:

Prehistoric tell and one of Europe’s first proto urban centers in the Final Neolithic/ Chalcolitic
- 5th mill. BCE
Sacred area of an Ancient Greek & Byzantine city on the Black Sea coast - 7th c. BCE - 7th c.
CE
Ancient Greek trade-center/ emporion in Ancient Thrace - 5th- 3rd c. BCE
Two Roman provincial capital cities - 1st c. BCE - 6th c. CE
Roman Road Station and Medieval Fort - 3rd - 12th c. CE
Early Christian Byzantine monastery on the Black Sea coast - 5th -6th c. CE

Find your fieldwork opportunity

Historic preservation programs in:
Conservation of Ancient Greek pottery & Roman pottery, glass, mosaics, mural paintings
Byzantine / Medieval and Post-Byzantine/ Postmedieval ecclesiastical architecture & mural
paintings
Historic metal & paper & textiles

Training courses in surveying & recording:

Archaeological recording practices
Archaeometry
Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI) & Computational photography & Digital
illustration
Geomatics: photogrammetry & GPS & total station & GIS etc.

Write the reasons for your choice here:

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LISTENING:
Before you listen
2) Check out these words and phrases. What do you think they mean? You may
use dictionaries.

Language-intensive environment:_________________________________
Motivation: __________________________________________________
Reinforce (verb): ______________________________________________
Improve (verb): _______________________________________________

While you listen

3) Listen to a conversation between a student, Maria Martin, and an expert Ms.
Butler. Complete the text with a word or phrase from the box.

Audio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DSC-CSvK7bK-4BW6hEsepXfkUNJEzxbD/view

Maria: Why is it a good idea to study English abroad?

Ms. Butler: Well, consider this. When you are studying in an English-speaking country
you are in a ____________________ . You are surrounded by English 24 hours a day.
To go shopping, to communicate. You have to ____________________ your English –
There’s no other choice, so there can be no greater ____________________ to speak!
Television, radio and the newspapers will all ____________________the total English
atmosphere [..] This is important because it will give a ________.

Maria: Is Britain the best place to study English?

Ms. Butler: Not necessarily. Until now, Britain has been very popular because of its
____________________, but of course, it is not the only alternative […] another

alternative is Australia, a country which is ____________________ and yet it’s culture

is similar to Europeans.

Maria: How long should I stay?

Ms. Butler: […] As a minimum you should try and stay at least three weeks to really
____________________ your English.

Maria: What should I avoid doing?

Ms. Butler: […] Two students of the same ____________________ shouldn’t stay with
the same family. You can’t learn English as well if you are with other people that speak
Spanish.

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WRITING:

4) Now that you have chosen one program, complete the application forms.

APPLICANT’S DETAILS

NAME: SURNAME:

BIRTHDAY: BIRTHPLACE:

CITIZENSHIP: SEX:

MOTHER TONGUE: OTHER LANGUAGES:

CONTACT DETAILS

COUNTRY: ZIP/POST CODE:

STATE/PROVINCE: CITY:

STREET ADDRESS: TELEPHONE NUMBER:

E-MAIL:

POST CODE:

EDUCATION

CURRENT COLLEGE/ UNIVERSITY:

CURRENT SUBJECT:

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND (Degree – Institution)

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ADDITIONAL INFO

OCCUPATION:
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

INTERESTS/HOBBIES:
(Please describe with maximum 80 words)

MOTIVATION:
(Please describe with maximum 80 words your motivation to participate in the
program)

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS:

(Do you have any physical or mental issues that impact your participation?)

HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT US?:

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ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

PART 4: THE BYZANTINE EMPIRE

LEAD IN

1. Read the definition of the Middle Ages.

The Middle Ages, the medieval period of European history between the fall
of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance, are sometimes
referred to as the "Dark Ages."

source: History.com, disponible en: https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages

Some important dates

395 The Roman Empire is divided into two

476 The Roman Empire in the west collapses
527-565 Justinian reigns as Byzantine Emperor
1054 The Eastern Church splits from the Western Church
1204 Crusaders capture Constantinople
1261 The Byzantines drive out the Crusaders
1453 The Ottoman Turks conquer Constantinople

READING
2) What do you know about the Byzantine Empire? Before reading the text try to
answer the questions below. Then read and check.

1-How many parts was the Roman Empire divided into?

2-Why did the Empire in the west collapse?

3-How long did the Eastern Empire survive?

4-Why was it called the Byzantine Empire?

5-Who was Justinian?

6-Who was the Head of the Byzantine Church?

7-Did the Byzantines win the battles against the Muslim Arabs and Turks?

8-What happened after the Byzantines surrendered?

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THE BYZANTINES: C:500 – 1450

By the year 400, the Roman Empire had split into two parts. The Empire in the west was attacked
by tribes and collapsed in 476, but the Empire in the east survived for another thousand years. The
Eastern Empire was known as Byzantine Empire because its capital city, Constantinople, was
originally called Byzantium.
In the 6 century the Byzantine Emperor Justinian’s dream was to create a great Christian Empire.
th

With the help of his wife ,Theodora, he set up a new system of laws and gave orders for churches
to be built.

Justinian and Theodora

The Byzantine Church was led by the Patriarch in Constantinople. After many quarrels between the
Patriarch and the Pope, the Byzantine Church split from the Western Church.
The Byzantines fought constant battles against Muslim Arabs and Turks. After Justinian’s death,
the empire became smaller and smaller. In 1453, an army of Ottoman Turks attacked the city and
after six weeks of fighting, the Byzantines surrendered and their Empire collapsed.

source: Bingham, J., The USBORNE Medieval World (2015)

LISTENING
Who was Justinian 1st?
Justinian 1st served as Emperor of the Byzantine Empire from 527 to 565. Justinian is
best remembered for his work as a legislator and codifier. During his reign, Justinian

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reorganized the government of the Byzantine Empire and enacted several reforms to
increase accountability and reduce corruption.

3) Now watch the video “Who was Justinian?” (up to 1.25’) and complete the
sentences below. https://youtu.be/kgU1ytmLq8U

1- Justinian was born Petrus Sabbatius to a __________ family around the year
__________ AD.
2- He became the __________ Emperor of the Justinian dynasty after his ___________
Justin 1st.
3- He spoke __________ as his native language.
4- When his nephew was born, Justin 1st lived in _____________.
5- Justinian was educated in Roman law, ____________ and theology.
6- Justinian became Justin’s Co-Emperor in __________.
7- When his uncle died, Justinian was crowned the Emperor of the _________ Empire.

WRITING
4) Choose one of the Emperors of the Byzantine Empire and write a biography.
Write between 80 and 100 words. Use the questions as a guide to help you write
the biography.

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• When and where was he born?

• Who did he marry?
• Did he have any children?
• When did he reign?
• Who was his Predecessor?
• Who was his Successor?
• What is he remembered for? What was his legacy?
• In your opinion, was he a good Emperor? Why? Why not?

Write the biography in the box

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ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

PART 5: THE RENAISSANCE

LEAD IN

THE RENAISSANCE: 1350 - 1500

The Renaissance can be described as a period of cultural, artistic, political and economic “rebirth”
in Europe following the Middle Ages. It took place from the 14th century to the 16th century and it
promoted the rediscovery of classical philosophy, literature and art. People started to ask questions
about the world and carried out scientific experiments and studied plants, animals and humans.
Many people worked as alchemists, learnt how to make chemicals and invented lots of scientific
equipment.

READING

1) Read the text and complete activity number 2.

Some ideas and inventions during the Renaissance

By the 1400s, many people were studying the works of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Before the
Renaissance, only priests were educated, but during the 1400s this began to change. Boys from
wealthy families went to school, and rich girls studied at home with tutors.
In the 1450s, a German named Johan Guttenberg invented a machine called a printing press, which
printed books. Until then, all books in Europe had been copied by hand.

Another perfect example of a well-educated Renaissance man was Leonardo DaVinci. He was an
artist, an inventor, an architect and a musician. He made detailed drawings of animals and people,
and created designs for amazing machines.

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2) After reading the text above, carry out some research and find out about
Leonardo DaVinci’s greatest inventions and discoveries. Complete the bubbles
with two of his inventions or discoveries, one in each bubble.

LISTENING: Inventions that changed the world

3) Before you listen, answer the following questions:

1. In your opinion, what are the best and the most useful inventions of mankind?

2. What famous inventors do you know? What did they invent?

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4) You will watch a video about past inventions that changed the world.
Complete the sentences with a suitable word or phrase according to what you
hear.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXCaa3f6JY4

1. With the printing press people could make________ ____ ________

2. The train was important for the __________ _________
3. Cars became very popular and changed the _________ ____ ________
4. Marconi made his first transatlantic radio communication in _________
5. The TV wasn’t invented by _______ ________
6. The first successful helicopter was invented in the _________
7. Computers were invented in the _________ and __________ century.

WRITING

5) Think of an invention that became most useful to humanity. Complete the

following chart with the information and explain in about 50 words how this
invention changed our lives.

Invention:

Name of inventor:

Why did this invention change the world?

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ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES

PART 6: ARCHAEOLOGY

LEAD IN
Archaeology is the scientific study of the material remains of past human life and activities. These
include human artifacts from the very earliest stone tools to the man-made objects that are buried
or thrown away in the present day: everything made by human beings—from simple tools to
complex machines, from the earliest houses and temples and tombs to palaces, cathedrals, and
pyramids. Archaeological investigations are a principal source of knowledge of prehistoric, ancient,
and extinct culture. The word comes from the Greek archaia (“ancient things”) and logos (“theory”
or “science”).

source: https://www.britannica.com/science/archaeology

LISTENING

1) You will watch a video about Archaeologists, who they are and how they work.
Before you watch the video, read the following words that are associated with
Archaeology. Match the two halves accordingly. You may use dictionaries.

Artefacts a) an implement used to carry out certain function. Some examples are:
_____ spoons, brushes and shovels.
Grid _____ b) a vast period of time before written records and human documentation. It
includes the Neolithic revolution and the Ice Age.
Survey _____ c) an object made by a human being, typically of cultural and historical interest
Tools _____ d) surface analysis involving recording of the objects that are found in the
ground, ground mapping and collection of artifacts.
Pre-History e) a design that breaks the surface of the ground into small squares, which
_____ are marked with ropes and flags.

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2) Now, you will watch a video about Archaeologists. As you listen to the
explanations, complete the sentences with a suitable word according to what you
hear.

Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOJlCdMvWAI

What we know about people who lived in the past comes from the study of __________.
These objects can be prehistoric or they could be from 50 years ago.
The difference between archaeologists and paleontologists is that paleontologists study
_________ history, and archaeologists study _________ history.
A _________ helps archaeologists find a spot and look for clues on the ground that
suggest that more objects could be underground.
Satellites and drones help archaeologists take pictures and find buried _________ and
other ruins.
A _________ is a design that breaks a section of the ground into small squares. Each
object found inside is marked by using numbers and flags

3) According to the explanation you heard in the video, what three questions do
archaeologists pose in the lab?

1. _______________________________________________________?
2. _______________________________________________________?
3. _______________________________________________________?

READING

4) Read the following summary about the evolution of Archaeology and answer
the questions below.

• Archaeology is a field that contributes to the understanding of the human condition and
confronts serious ethical dilemmas.

• The first person to be interested in the past was Babylonian king Nabonidus. In the sixth
century BC he studied the residues of antiquities to answer questions about the past human
life.

• In North America, Archaeology began as the pastime of curious rich people who lacked
formal training.

• Archaeology became a formal discipline in the nineteenth century. It was characterized by a

scientific approach, a rigorous method of excavation and data collection.

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• Later, Archaeology answered questions about description of certain materials, their culture
and history to help recover and reconstruct the past.

• By the 1950s and 1960s, Archaeology started to focus more on the reconstruction of past
life and the discovery of universal laws to explain human history.

• Today, Archaeology is a diverse field that studies both prehistoric and historic data.

1. According to the text, what does Archaeology help comprehend?

2. Who was the first person to study the past? What did he/she intend to

understand?

3. How would you describe Archaeology as a discipline in the nineteenth century?

4. What further studies were added to this science in the mid-twentieth century?

WRITING

5) Now it is your turn to carry out some research on a specific artefact found by
archaeologists. Then, write a short text (50 to 80 words) answering the three
questions posed by archaeologists in the lab:

1. Who made this object?

2. What was it used for?
3. When in history is it from?

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Bibliography

• ÁLVAREZ PALENZUELA, V.A., Historia Universal de la Edad Media, Barcelona,

Ariel, 2002.

• VASILIEV, A.A., Historia del Imperio Bizantino, Barcelona, Iberia, 1945

• O´DONNELL, J., La Ruina del Imperio Romano, Barcelona, Ed.B, 2008.

• BINGHAM, J., The USBORNE Medieval World, 2015

• Enciclopedia Británica, disponible en:. https://www.britannica.com/

• English listening skills practice | LearnEnglish Teens - British Council. (2017).

British Council. https://learnenglishteens.britishcouncil.org/skills/listening

• Solving Mysteries with Archaeologists, disponible en:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOJlCdMvWAI

• How to write an Abstract for a research paper, disponible en:

https://youtu.be/JMEnRBss6V4

• The Middle Ages, disponible en: https://www.history.com/topics/middle-ages

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