Argues that hedging devices are a major pragmatic feature of effective scientific writing, and that students of English for special purposes should be taught to recognize and use them in their own work. The article examines the frequency, functions, and realizations of hedges and discusses a range of strategies for familiarizing students with…

Explored whether or not the C-test serves as a valid operationalization of the reduced redundancy principle. Investigated the frequency and type of micro- and macro-level cues that English-as-a-foreign-language learners employ to restore the mutilations in the C-test. A C-test comprising five texts was administered concurrently with the Test of…

Use of a seminar technique to improve the oral English communicative competence of Chinese postgraduate students in science and technology helped the students to learn foreign culture, science, and technology, as well as the foreign language, and helped them to lose their communication apprehension. (Author/CB)

The English-for-Science-and-Technology (EST) versus English-for-General-Purposes (EGP) dilemma is reviewed and a Hong Kong study is reported. Results of a study of EST and EGP students suggest that a balance between the two approaches would be more appropriate and useful for future career purposes. (eight references) (Author/LB)