Unit 10 – Academic English

1. Common errors in academic English

a) Listening. Watch the introduction to the video about academic English and answer the questions
https://youtu.be/mZQgd2sPxpk .

i) How does the speaker define academic English? ………………………….

ii) The speaker mentions three features of academic English:

·        It is more ………………………….

·        It is more ………………………….

·        It uses …………………………

iii) Which serious problem does the speaker mention? ………………………….

b) The speaker mentions the following 12 common errors in academic English, which did you know and
which can you explain?



2. Verbs useful for academic assignments (Based on Academic Vocabulary in Use, CUP, pp.14-15 )

a) Match the verbs on the left to their more formal synonyms on the right.

to influence

to try

to give

to show

to look into

to talk about

to question

             to attempt

             to provide

             to affect

             to investigate

             to demonstrate

             to challenge

             to discuss


b) Fill in the gaps in the sentences with suitable verbs from the exercise above. Put the verbs in
the correct form.

·        This theory ………………………………… to build bridges between different philosophical schools.

·        The graph ……………………..………… the correlation between the place where people live and drinks
they prefer.

·        He did not ………………………………… sufficient statistical evidence for his conclusions.

·        The thesis ………………………………… the attitude of young people to diet and health.

c) Explain the difference between the sentences in each pair.

Greg’s article supports Park’s theory.

                                             Greg’s article challenges Park’s theory.

Describe the new tax regulations.

                                             Discuss the new tax regulations.

Liam provides new data.

                                             Liam considers new data.

Tarski conducted four sets of experiments.

                                             Tarski examined four sets of experiments.

Lee established why such changes occur.

                                             Lee investigated why such changes occur.

John assumed that the data were reliable.

                                             John proved that the data were reliable.

Illustrate the magnitude of the deceleration.

                                             Find the magnitude of the deceleration.


d) In academic style, noun phrases are sometimes used instead of verbs (e.g. to investigate = to
conduct/carry out an investigation of/into, to classify = to make/provide a classification of).
Rewrite each sentence using the word in brackets and make necessary changes to replace the verb
with a noun phrase.

·        Erikson’s theory explains the fluctuations in the figures in the figures for this period.
(PROVIDE)

·        Bakker explores the relationship between family background and education. (EXPLORATION)

·        The book describes the life of Abraham Lincoln. (DESCRIPTION)

·        Cheng’s theory emphasizes the importance of reading in language acquisition. (PLACE)

e) What do you do in various courses/subjects? Choose two of them and describe typical activities
you do there.



3. Study habits (Based on Academic Vocabulary in Use, CUP, pp. 50-51)

a) Match the first part of the word combination on the left with the second part on the right.

to meet

to-do

to request

to draw

lecture

first

time

          list

          deadlines

          mind maps

          an extension

          draft

          management

          notes


b) What are your study habits? Tick those that apply to you:

·        I prioritize the most difficult or urgent tasks.

·        I am not able to revise for more than two hours, so preparing for an exam takes me many
days.

·        I review my lecture notes within 24 hours after I took them.

·        I use tricks to memorize things, like mnemonics or visualizing.

·        I draw mind maps.

·        I am very good at note taking during lectures, so I don’t need any additional materials.

·        I always write a first draft of the assignment and then I improve it after 2 or 3 days.

·        I find it useful to learn some things by heart.

·        I make a study plan each exam period.

·        I spent the last day before an exam cramming.

c) Here are questions from a self-assessment questionnaire on students’ time management. Ask your
neighbour and compare his/her answers with yours.



                                                                            often

                                                                                 sometimes

                                                                                          never

1 Do you begin working on end-of-semester assignments early in the semester?




2 Do you meet deadlines for submitting work?





3 Do you have to request an extension for your work?









d) Prepare a similar questionnaire for your classmates. The topic can be study habits or academic
assignments.

Make a survey in your group, analyze the data and present the results.


 often

      sometimes

               never

1



2



3



4