Professional Development Videos

  • Teaching English for Academic Purposes

The number of language learners studying English in order to gain entry into an English higher education institution is continually increasing. English for Academic Purposes is a specialized area of English language instruction in which the focus is on providing students not just with the language in order to be successful in post-secondary education, but also with the academic skills for that success. The videos in this section focus on activities and techniques to use when teaching those academic skills.

Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

The skills of quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing are largely expected in the academic environment of the North American culture. Often, the international student does not know how to explain in their own words what an expert has already stated.

Teaching Critical Reading Skills

Higher level students, particularly those who are looking to move into higher education studies at an English-speaking university, need to learn to read critically.

Teaching Critical Thinking Skills

English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students have quite a challenge ahead of them.

Teaching the Academic Word List

In 2000, Averil Coxhead determined that there was a set of words that was crucial for success in an English academic context, the Academic Word List.

Using Debates to Teach English

Debating, a formal process to follow to argue a point or position, is an effective communication task to include in speaking classes in order to give students the opportunity to work on key speaking skills.