Vocabulary for academic reading in the EMI environment
Other conference contribution, 2017

The rapidly growing phenomenon of English-medium instruction (EMI) has important implications for language use and language learning. EMI places a high demand on language proficiency, and there is often a belief that EMI will lead to increased proficiency in English. Reading is a core academic activity, and the ability to read academic texts in English is a precondition for success in an EMI environment. A major component of reading comprehension and speed is vocabulary knowledge. This paper reports the development and validation of a test of academic vocabulary designed for use in EMI environments. Two equivalent versions of the Academic Vocabulary Test were developed (to permit pre- and post-intervention administrations), and were administered to students in a tertiary EMI environment. A comparison of students' productive and receptive academic vocabulary needs, relative to their demonstrated knowledge of academic vocabulary (as measured by the AVT) will also be presented.

Author

Diane Pecorari

City University of Hong Kong

Hans Malmström

Chalmers, Applied Information Technology (Chalmers), Language and Communication

Philip Shaw

Stockholm University

Subject Categories

Languages and Literature

Educational Sciences

Learning

General Language Studies and Linguistics

Specific Languages

Learning and teaching

Pedagogical work

More information

Latest update

10/28/2019