English for Academic Purposes
The program for graduate students
The English for Academic Purposes Program graduate-level curriculum in Academic Discourse is designed to promote the academic development of incoming graduate students for whom English is not the native language. The Program coursework prepares students for success by supporting and clarifying the expectations, research and literacy methodologies, and instructional methods of American graduate education, as well as by helping students practice advanced spoken and written language skills in the context of coursework related to their chosen fields of study.
A specialized sequence of courses, support, and workshops taught by EAP specialists is linked to specific courses taken by graduate students at Benedictine University, especially in the first year of study. The Program’s Academic Discourse classes and workshops provide students with structured assistance within the context of their chosen disciplines, with EAP faculty working closely with their colleagues in the target graduate areas and in some cases mirroring specific course content. With the exception of ADG 400, the “orientation” component of the EAP Program, ADG courses are credit-based (1.5 to 3 credits per class) and graded on a pass-fail basis. Assessment is on-going and by portfolio, and the five-week lab sequence is designed so that students can be placed and supported at various points in their course of studies.
The EAP Program’s academic administration is through the Department of Languages and Literature, with evaluation and placement assistance from the International Programs Office. Student advising remains with the degree-granting program, but graduate programs are strongly encouraged to place incoming students in the ADG sequence.
Upon successful completion of the EAP Program, graduate students will demonstrate not only improved oral and written fluency and comprehension in advanced English-language situations, but also preparation to apply the standards and practices of American higher education to their chosen profession. To this end, the EAP Program focuses on two principles essential to effective skills transfer: transparency of teaching goals and methods, and practical, skill-building coursework. Workshops provide students with opportunities for one-on-one and small-group instruction that promotes individual and discipline specific development. Special attention is paid to issues of appropriate collaboration, academic honesty, and other issues pertinent to the building of scholarly community and the promotion of professional success.