The place of Benesch's critical English for academic purposes in the current practice of academic language and learning
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Author(s)
Fenton-Smith, Ben
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2014
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This paper discusses the central tenets of the theory of critical English for academic purposes (CEAP), with a focus on the work of Sarah Benesch. Her 2001 book, Critical English for Academic Purposes: Theory, Politics and Practice, attempted to highlight the compliant nature of EAP as an academic field, arguing against the view that its sole function is the enablement of student success in other disciplines. While Benesch accepts that assisting students in this way is important, she argues that EAP should also empower them to challenge and even change the education they receive. In addition to outlining and evaluating the ...
View more >This paper discusses the central tenets of the theory of critical English for academic purposes (CEAP), with a focus on the work of Sarah Benesch. Her 2001 book, Critical English for Academic Purposes: Theory, Politics and Practice, attempted to highlight the compliant nature of EAP as an academic field, arguing against the view that its sole function is the enablement of student success in other disciplines. While Benesch accepts that assisting students in this way is important, she argues that EAP should also empower them to challenge and even change the education they receive. In addition to outlining and evaluating the theory (including dissenting views on it), this paper considers the potential for applying it in the Australian higher education context and gauges its impact to date by analysing three documents: a federal education department directive for EAP instruction, a peak EAP organisation's position statement, and a report on international student political activism in the national Australian press.
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View more >This paper discusses the central tenets of the theory of critical English for academic purposes (CEAP), with a focus on the work of Sarah Benesch. Her 2001 book, Critical English for Academic Purposes: Theory, Politics and Practice, attempted to highlight the compliant nature of EAP as an academic field, arguing against the view that its sole function is the enablement of student success in other disciplines. While Benesch accepts that assisting students in this way is important, she argues that EAP should also empower them to challenge and even change the education they receive. In addition to outlining and evaluating the theory (including dissenting views on it), this paper considers the potential for applying it in the Australian higher education context and gauges its impact to date by analysing three documents: a federal education department directive for EAP instruction, a peak EAP organisation's position statement, and a report on international student political activism in the national Australian press.
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Journal Title
Journal of Academic Language and Learning
Volume
8
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2014. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. For information about this journal please refer to the journal’s website or contact the author.
Subject
Curriculum and pedagogy
LOTE, ESL and TESOL curriculum and pedagogy
Specialist studies in education
Linguistics