An institution-wide strategy for ongoing, embedded academic language development: Design, implementation and analysis

Authors

  • Dr Emily Edwards Academic Language and Learning, Institute for Interactive Media & Learning University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • Dr Rosalie Goldsmith Academic Language and Learning, Institute for Interactive Media & Learning University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
  • Dr Caroline Havery University of Technology
  • Neil James

Abstract

Widening participation and the internationalisation of universities have led to initiatives to more explicitly develop academic practices, including language and literacy practices, which students need to successfully undertake their degrees. However, for some students for whom English is an additional language, more support is required. This paper builds on previous literature and presents a university-wide program implemented at a large metropolitan university in Australia that not only incorporates compulsory language screening and follow up language development for identified students, but also includes ongoing explicit assessment of students’ academic language within their degree programs. This paper outlines the theoretical underpinnings of this program’s design, its implementation and an analysis of the associated factors underpinning both the successes and challenges experienced to date. In doing so, we discuss implications for other universities wishing to implement institution-wide strategies to support students’ ongoing academic language development.

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Published

2021-03-31

How to Cite

Edwards, E., Goldsmith, R., Havery (formerly San Miguel), C., & James, N. (2021). An institution-wide strategy for ongoing, embedded academic language development: Design, implementation and analysis. Journal of Academic Language and Learning, 15(1), 53–71. Retrieved from https://journal.aall.org.au/index.php/jall/article/view/745

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Section

Research Articles