Using discourse analysis to prepare learners for overseas university study

Abstract

Students coming to English speaking countries to study at university will encounter the English language being used in a number of contexts including lectures, tutorials/discussion groups, writing essays and reading textbooks and research articles. This discussion looks at each of these contexts individually. It proposes that the language teacher can help prepare their learners for this university environment through the deliberate study of relevant discourses, and suggests activities that facilitate such learning.