L1.1: EAP and Study Skills

• Considered by many as "the global language", English has been the medium of most, if not all, fields of study or discipline, especially under the Sciences. As a result, it is imperative among specialists and experts to have the necessary language proficiency.
• Language proficiency, however, must not be regarded as simply being “good” in using the target language. For example, it does not necessarily mean that when one speaks fluently in English, he/she exhibits the competencies to do well in a specific field. Language proficiency is holistic, making it a contributing factor to the practice of the an HCP. 
• The graph below presents that language competencies are honed through the Four Macro Skills— Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking
• These language skills are the gateway to learn the content and skills of/in a particular field of study or discipline. In your case, the most basic means to becoming an effective HCP is being proficient in its medium. 
• • 1: speech-based
  • 2: text-based
  • 3: receptive
  • 4: productive
  • 5: listening
  • 6: speaking
  • 7: reading
  • 8: writing
  • 9: interpreting
  • 10: translating

  A) 1

  B) 2

  C) 3

  D) 4

  E) 5

  F) 6

  G) 7

  H) 8

  I) 9

  J) 10

  
• ETIC (1975) defines EAP as ‘concerned with those communication skills in English which are required for study purposes in formal education systems’. Formal education equips one to an eventual professional practice that begin and end with communication. This is fact to the Healthcare Profession. 
• To put EAP in perspective, take note that: 

  • centers on Study Skills
  • features general academic English register, incorporates a formal academic style, with proficiency in the language use
• English Language Proficiency and Linguistic Competence are inevitably required, especially to HCPs. In fact, if international standards are taken into consideration, an HCP who aspires to work abroad must have him/herself certified to prove that he/she is proficient and competent in/with English. 
• Among these certifications are: 

  • TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) – tests workplace communication 
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – tests English used in the classroom (UK, Australia)
  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – tests academic and general language skills (United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand)
• The measure of English Language Proficiency is based on a scale, framework, or levels called Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. CEFR is one concrete measure to justify that a professional such as those in healthcare can manage to communicate efficiently in context using English as Second or Foreign Language.
• Study Habits meanwhile

  • are "adopted way and manner, when a student plans his/her private readings, after classroom learning, so as to attain mastery of the subject (Azikiwe, 1998).”
• Learning Styles:

  • showcases how learners “store information” for further use
  • are based on individual preference to learn best 

  are expressed through the VARK model by Flemming & Mills (1992) 
• Study Skills, on the other hand:

  • are abilities, techniques, and strategies used when reading, writing, or listening for study purposes (Richards, Platt & Platt, 1992)
  • are “mechanical aspects of study” (Jordan, 1997).