Vocabulary and Grammar
Current research has demonstrated the critical role that vocabulary acquisition plays
in becoming a skilled L2 reader. Moreover, it has been proven that extensive
reading does not ensure adequate vocabulary growth for EAP students, and therefore
explicit vocabulary instruction must be a component of all EAP courses. Online
vocabulary analysis tools enable the selection of salient vocabulary for academic
articles.
The explicit teaching of grammatical structures should be undertaken only for those
structures which impinge on students’ understanding. Analysis of syntax and the
structure of sentences, paragraphs, and texts should also be included whenever such
knowledge enhances students’ ability to understand what they are reading.
Grammatical and syntactical structures should be examined individually and in
context, with the emphasis on understanding rather than on production.