For listening with comprehension, it has been recommended that students entering English medium higher education must be well versed with at least 100 'Academic Words'. An Academic Word List (AWL, 570 words), developed by Averil Coxhead at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand is deemed the standard list to choose from to cover all the subject areas. Another list of such words, called the General Service Word List (GSWL), consists of 2000 words, divided into groups, which are deemed as academic words to cover the entire education sector.
AWs are the most frequently used words in academic texts and often spoken by professional academicians. For those learning English as a second language and for foreign students intending to enter English-medium higher education in western countries, it becomes necessary to master such words to be able to read and listen to English speaking teachers.
However, for science students who intend to pursue higher education, the following 60 academic words have been recommended. Also, aspirants must be trained to phonically sound pronunciation of these words so as to listen and read with comprehension.
COMMON ACADEMIC WORDS IN SCIENCE TEXTS
Comments