A systematic approach to designing English for very specific academic purposes materials tailored to a specific course in the main subject of a higher degree.

Authors

  • Joe Greenwood Manchester Metropolitan University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi23.820

Keywords:

English for very specific academic purposes, materials design, embedded learning development, needs analysis

Abstract

This research looks at an area of materials design where little research has previously been conducted: English for very specific academic purposes (EVSAP). The research looks at related literature in EAP, ESP and ESAP, conducts a multi-stakeholder needs analysis, and incorporates the students into the materials design process itself. An analysis of the assignment brief and an interview with the unit lead of the chosen course in Digital Marketing were conducted, to identify aspects of academic writing and individual teaching activities that were beneficial to the course. The data gained from the interview were then used to create a questionnaire, which was distributed to students for completion. The data from the questionnaire were then processed into units of time; these units were then used to create the material’s structure. Discussion of how to construct a framework for EVSAP materials design is included, as well as the completed framework itself and a rationale for its format. Finally, the conclusion discusses the scope and limitation of the model, such as its application in other contexts or with different cohort sizes.

Author Biography

Joe Greenwood, Manchester Metropolitan University

Joe Greenwood currently works in the Learner Development team at Manchester Metropolitan University, where his main responsibility is designing and delivering short courses designed to develop students’ academic writing skills. After several years teaching English as a foreign language in various countries, Joe returned to the UK and began working in HE in 2019. Holder of an MA TESOL and Applied Linguistics and a PG Dip TESOL, Joe is currently working towards his PhD by published works. His research centres around needs analyses, their creation and application.

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Published

16-03-2022

How to Cite

Greenwood, J. (2022) “A systematic approach to designing English for very specific academic purposes materials tailored to a specific course in the main subject of a higher degree”., Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (23). doi: 10.47408/jldhe.vi23.820.

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Papers