Averil Coxhead is widely known for developing the Academic Word List, a list of 570 word families associated with great frequency in academic texts. This list has been particularly useful to teachers of English as a Second Language as well as independent learners in tertiary education. She has also developed a Science-based word list (Coxhead and…

The globalized nature of modern society has generated a number of pressures that impact internationally on countries' policies and practices of science education. Among these pressures are key issues of health and environment confronting global science, global economic control through multi-national capitalism, comparative and competitive…

Defines the term "model" and reviews what the literature says about the use of models in the teaching of writing. Provides justification for the use of models in the teaching of English for science and technology and gives a practical demonstration. (Author/VWL)

Discusses the need for composition courses for non-native English speaking students who are majoring in science and technology to prepare them to write on scientific/technical topics. Unique differences between conventional and technical writing tasks are discussed, and teaching implications are assessed. (GLR)

Responds to criticism concerning a proposed model of evaluation for a Reading English for Science and Technology program. (seven references) (JL)

Argues that English is the major international language at least in part because it is the dominant world language of science and technology, and suggests that no country can afford to ignore the important role English plays in information access and technology transfer and still expect to compete professionally and economically. (Author/CB)

Discusses a proposed "context adaptive" model for English-as-a-Second-Language program evaluation and suggests that the boundaries are set too narrowly within this model between phenomena and contexts and that the model of the Reading English for Science and Technology program in Guadalajara (Mexico) suffers from this constriction.…

Discusses problems that U.S. companies may experience in getting computer programs and other related products accepted in other countries because of difficulties in translating the English language used in the products. Topics discussed include slang, acronyms, and abbreviations; economic and financial differences; cultural differences; and…

Materials development in English for Science and Technology (EST), particularly for English-as-a-Foreign-Language university students, is discussed with reference to the current EST situation in Taiwan. Issues include content vs. skills approach, textbook selection or innovation, process- vs. product-oriented materials, and authentic vs.…

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…

Discusses an English for science and technology course at Simon Bolivar University in Venezuela in which students were allowed to choose reading activities and alternative forms of assessment were implemented. Results of a questionnaire used to evaluate the course are provided. (Author/VWL)

Describes the aims, design, and outcomes of a modular socio-cultural, negotiated curriculum in Scientific and Technical English for non-English-speaking background science and technology students in universities or industry. This curriculum is intended to provide language and acculturation bridging programs for overseas qualified personnel. (33…

Argues for an ethnographic reorientation to needs analysis and syllabus design in English for specific purposes in advanced postgraduate centers of science and technology. The seven-stage framework (specify learners, analyze needs, specify enabling objectives, select materials, identify teaching/learning activities, evaluate, and revise) used to…

Offers five axioms that express a philosophy of technical English and describe a perception of language use that is considerably different from that of literary English. Concludes that the study of English should include much more than just the study of literature. (SRT)

Focuses on a particular teaching experience where a contemporary fiction work featuring high tech has been used as a source material in English for science and technology courses, and how this approach has had a positive impact on students' motivation to learn English as well as on their overall performance in the foreign language. (Author/VWL)