English for Academic and Professional Purposes

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

Academic language refers to the oral, written, OBJECTIVE

auditory, and visual language proficiency required
to learn effectively in school and academic
programs.
SOCIAL LANGUAGE
• unbiased, based on facts and;
• not influenced by personal feelings
• Example: “The essay on… is distressing”
instead of “I do not like the essay.”

• Repetition of words
• Sentences start with ‘and’ and ‘but’
• Use of slang: ‘guy’ ‘cool’ ‘awesome’

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

• variety of words, more sophisticated

vocabulary
• sentences start with transition words such
as ‘however’ ‘moreover’ and ‘in addition’
• no slang

CHARACTERISTIC OF ACADEMIC LANGUAGE

FORMAL
• should not be conversational and casual
• should avoid colloquial and idiomatic
expressions, slang, and contractions

IMPERSONAL
• x dig in, x cup of tea, x dude, x don’t
• do not refer to yourself as the performer
of actions
• do not use personal pronouns
• Example: “It is commonly said that”
instead of “Many of my friends and
colleagues say that…”

PRECISE
• the facts should be presented accurately
• Example: “85% of the population”, “the
results are okay (satisfactory)”
• choice of words must be appropriate