This book contextualizes the field of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), with a particular focus on the professional and academic identity and role of the EAP practitioner. The authors examine previously neglected areas such as the socio-economic, academic and employment contexts within which EAP practitioners function. In doing so, they develop a better understanding of the roles, expectations and constraints that arise from these contexts, which in turn shape professional practice and the identity of the practitioner. As EAP is emerging as an academic discipline with a growing body of published research, this book will appeal to trainee and established practitioners, along with researchers and students of linguistics and education.
Alex Ding is Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes and Director of the Centre for Excellence in Language Teaching at the University of Leeds, UK. He leads school-wide projects in language education scholarship,as well as teaching English for Academic Purposes and MA modules. He has also supervised and examined PhD students, and co-led the development of an innovative MA in EAP.
Ian Bruce is Senior Lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Waikato, New Zealand, where he also teaches on the MA degree of the same name. His research interests include the application of genre theory to English for Academic Purposes courses, and to academic writing instruction. He is closely involved with the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP), and has contributed to the development of their teacher competency framework.
"Because of its unique perspectives, critical and macro stances, coherent and well-organized chapters, convincing arguments and useful advice, this book is highly recommended for all EAP teachers, researchers, and managers at different levels, especially for early-career EAP practitioners, or those who would transition to the realm of EAP, and for students who plan to start a career in EAP. Authors Ding and Bruce deserve the credit that is due." (Banban Li, Lawrence Jun Zhang and Haixiao Wang, System, Vol. 76, August, 2018)
"The English for Academic Purposes Practitioner: Operating on the Edge of Academia is the first substantial work to focus on EAP practitioners and practitioner-related issues: such issues include questions about the identity, practices and career trajectories of EAP practitioners, with the wider aim of catalysing further discussion, theory building and enquiry. ? will continue to influence for some time to come how we see, understand and contribute to the professional lives of colleagues and EAP practitioner communities." (Cynthia White, System, Vol. 75, July, 2018)
"This is a timely and important work. Although the context is specific to EAP, the precarious working conditions described will resonate with most EFL/ESL teachers, and this book may well inspire a similar one examining the wider ELT context. ? This is an excellent piece of work and essential reading for anyone working in EAP." (Stephen Bruce, English Australia Journal, Vol. 34 (01), 2018)
"The English for Academic Purposes Practitioner represents an insightful, thoroughly excellent work. It should be required reading in TESOL graduate study programs and EAP training workshops, as it will empower current and future practitioners with a greater knowledge into not only the challenges, but also of the potential EAP has in addressing both scholarly and pragmatic needs in today's increasingly globalized higher educational institutions." (Gregory Hadley, Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 2017)
