What are the essential resources and tools for EAP teachers and students?

1 EAP textbooks and materials

One of the most important resources for EAP teachers and students are textbooks and materials that cover the core topics and skills of academic English. These include academic vocabulary, grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, critical thinking, and research. EAP textbooks and materials should provide clear explanations, authentic examples, varied exercises, and feedback opportunities. They should also be relevant, up-to-date, and adaptable to different levels and contexts. Some examples of popular EAP textbooks and materials are Oxford EAP, Cambridge Academic English, and The Academic Phrasebank.

2 EAP online platforms and apps

Another essential resource for EAP teachers and students are online platforms and apps that offer interactive and engaging ways to practice and improve academic English skills. Online platforms and apps can supplement the textbook and materials, or provide additional support and guidance. They can also enhance the learning experience by offering features such as gamification, personalization, feedback, and collaboration. Some examples of online platforms and apps for EAP are Academic English Online, Quizlet, and Write & Improve.

3 EAP corpora and concordancers

A corpus is a large collection of texts that can be analyzed to reveal patterns and trends in language use. A concordancer is a tool that allows users to search for words or phrases in a corpus and see how they are used in context. EAP corpora and concordancers are valuable resources for EAP teachers and students, as they can help them discover how academic language is used in different disciplines, genres, and registers. They can also help them improve their vocabulary, grammar, and style by providing authentic examples and collocations. Some examples of EAP corpora and concordancers are The British Academic Written English Corpus, The Corpus of Contemporary American English, and Sketch Engine.

4 EAP reference books and websites

Reference books and websites are essential resources for EAP teachers and students, as they provide authoritative and reliable information on various aspects of academic English. Reference books and websites can help them check their spelling, pronunciation, grammar, punctuation, and formatting. They can also help them expand their vocabulary, learn synonyms, antonyms, and idioms, and avoid plagiarism. Some examples of reference books and websites for EAP are The Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, The Chicago Manual of Style, and Purdue Online Writing Lab.

5 EAP journals and podcasts

Journals and podcasts are useful resources for EAP teachers and students, as they provide insights and updates on the latest research and developments in the field of EAP. Journals and podcasts can help them keep up with the current trends and issues in EAP, learn from the experiences and best practices of other EAP professionals and learners, and reflect on their own teaching and learning strategies. They can also help them broaden their perspectives and stimulate their curiosity and creativity. Some examples of journals and podcasts for EAP are Journal of English for Academic Purposes, EAP in Ireland Journal, and TEFLology Podcast.

6 EAP communities and networks

Communities and networks are vital resources for EAP teachers and students, as they offer opportunities to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other EAP professionals and learners around the world. Communities and networks can help them share their ideas, questions, challenges, and successes, receive feedback and support, and access useful resources and opportunities. They can also help them develop their professional and personal skills, such as leadership, teamwork, intercultural competence, and lifelong learning. Some examples of communities and networks for EAP are BALEAP, IATEFL ESP SIG, and EAP Learners Forum.