Academic English – The Academic Lingua-Franca
Keywords:
Academic English, Social English, English for Academic Purpose, Language Appropriacy, Second Language LearningAbstract
Language is not monolithic. The use of language does and should vary in terms of phonology, grammar, lexis, level of formality, etc depending on the context and situation the language is being used. Recent developments by linguists have emphasised the importance of language varieties. Hence, the language usages which may be correct but not appropriate in certain instance. The learner should be taught to discriminate between situations and employ the target language accordingly. Academic English and social English are two separate forms of language. Academic English is more demanding and intricate than social English. An English language learner (ELL) with social English proficiency may not necessarily have the academic English proficiency. Learners who are comfortable and capable in ESL either find it difficult to use the target language in formal setting or resort to ‘playground language’. The paper discusses how we need to vary language to suit particular situation, media and human relationships. It advocates due importance to be given to academic language proficiency in ESL classroom and recommends the various approaches/activities that can be implemented to teach the same.
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References
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