Response 5

Developing an EAP Writing Course for Chinese ESL Students


This paper introduces an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) writing course developed to help students from China acquire an adequate level of academic writing competence in English so that they can successfully handle the academic writing tasks that they will need to undertake in their undergraduate studies.


In the senior high school, the teacher only asks us to write some expressive writing tasks, such as writing a short letter, describing a place, and narrating a personal experience. After I go to the college, I am asked to write some academic paper and I need systematic guidance and well-designed instruction to acquire this competence.


This article introduces metacognition, skills, and strategies for academic writing. I think it is useful and helpful. It mentions some of the mistakes I have made before. As for metacognition, we should use a knowledge-transforming rather than knowledge-telling process. This is what we usually do. We sometimes merely retell the statement instead of giving a new idea. As for skills, the author suggests that we should adapt writing to specific audiences, take notes and synthesize information from various sources, write appropriate thesis statements and topic sentences, and organize information effectively.


One of the professors advises me that I should take the writing classes as many as possible to enhance my writing. “Practice makes perfect,” and I deeply believe that. Besides, he also suggests that I should read more in order to learn usage of phrases and words, the culture, the structure of the articles, and the brand-new ideas. I should work hard to accomplish this competence to write an outstanding academic writing.