Review
"This updated comprehensive university preparation course reflects the complex demands of academic writing and will be welcomed by EAP and ESP teachers ...this is an impressive, user-friendly course-book which can only add to success in academic writing." Margaret Bade for the TESOLANZ Journal, Vol. 21, 2013 "English for Academic Study: Writing is a new edition from Garnet Education of a book which has been around in various forms for almost 20 years now. It is part of Garnet's English for Academic Study (EAS) series. Other books in the series are EAS: Reading & Writing Source Book, EAS: Reading, EAS: Extended Writing & Research Skills, EAS: Listening, EAS: Speaking, EAS: Vocabulary and EAS: Pronunciation. The series aims to provide a comprehensive course in EAP and has been designed for students on pre-sessional and foundation courses within an IELTS range of 5.0 to 7.5. The English for Academic Study: Writing course includes a course book and a teacher's book as well as a reading and writing source book, which will be needed to get the most out of the course. The approach used in the book combines five major aspects of writing methodology. They are: the process approach to writing; the development of critical thinking skills; the microskills of writing; the importance of genre; and the link between reading and writing. After a detailed introduction, the English for Academic Study: Writing course book contains an introductory unit followed by seven thematic units, focussing on themes relevant for all university students today.This is followed by a glossary of terms, peer evaluation sheets and an appendix of assessment activities. Each well-integrated unit includes between four and six tasks and activities related to a source text.The tasks concentrate on typical academic written microskills, such as planning, incorporating sources, writing introductions, writing in examinations, writing conclusions, plus some extended writing. A summary concludes the units. The excellent English for Academic Study: Writing teacher's book gives a detailed justification for the approach, help on managing the materials, as well as detailed notes and answers from the teaching units. This is very useful for both experienced EAP teachers and teachers who are new to EAP. English for Academic Study: Writing takes a rather narrow approach to academic writing, focussing as it does on a small range of essay types. Nevertheless, this is done very well and the integrated nature of the units ensures that all the teaching is clearly directed to and supports the writing aims of the units. When used with other books in the series, especially English for Academic Study: Extended Writing & Research Skills, a wider coverage will be obtained. It can be strongly recommended for use on preparatory courses, especially for new EAP teachers who may not be familiar with many of the approaches and ideas." Andy Gillet for the ESP SIG Journal, Issue 41, April 2013 "It is targeted at students with an IELTS band score of 5.0-7.5+ and would be useful to anyone about to enter a university level course where information needs to be gathered from readings and discussions, evaluated and synthesized, then written about... I believe this would be a great course book for serious, self-motivated students in preparation for, or at, university level." Hilary Livingstone for IATEFL Voices, Issue 239, July-August 2014 "This high-quality series presents teaching materials underpinned by the latest research and honed by classroom feedback. Designed for teaching reading and writing either separately or in an integrated way (with the Source Book being essential for either option), it will help students develop important skills for tertiary settings in either case." Patrick Coleman (Lincoln University) for the TESOLANZ newsletter, September 2014
About the Author
Anne Pallant authored the Writing volume in Garnet Education's EAS series. Anne has varied experience of teaching English for Academic Purposes. She has been teaching on EAP courses at the Centre for Applied Language Studies since 1994 and is part of the EAP Management team. She was also Director of Studies at a Language School in Italy. Amongst other qualifications, Anne has obtained an MSc in Teaching English as a Foreign Language from Aston University, a P.G.C.E from the University of Bristol and a Certificate in Online Education and Training from the Institute of Education, University of London. Whilst Anne is interested in the teaching of all skills within EAP courses, her current focus is on the teaching of academic writing skills and the development of appropriate materials and methodology. She is especially interested in the teaching of critical thinking skills in academic writing. Anne is also concerned with the teaching of study and research skills to prospective postgraduate students, and developing methods and materials through which the needs of students from different disciplines can be met in one classroom. She is also interested in teaching content-based courses and is presently involved in teaching writing to scientists and social scientists by electronic delivery and 'e-learning' methodology.
