Theory And Application Of Critical English For Academic Purposes

This thesis consists of two major parts. The first part is an introduction to critical English for academic purposes (EAP) theory. Firstly, the definition of critical EAP is clarified. Secondly, EAP's official history and unofficial history are reviewed. To be more specific, the six stages of development in EAP theory, say register analysis, rhetorical and discourse analysis, analysis of study skills and needs analysis, genre analysis and the latest development are presented, the political and economic roots of EAP are probed into. Thirdly, the major theoretical influence on critical EAP, i.e. Freire's theory of "hope" and "dialogue" and Foucaults' theory of power relations are introduced. And finally, critical EAP theory, i.e. Benesch's theory of needs analysis and rights analysis is highlighted.The second part presents a case study on an international conference interpreting course, demonstrating how critical EAP theory can be applied in EAP classroom teaching. By analyzing power relations between teacher and students, how teacher and students interact with each other is examined, and a dilemma of balancing students' request to have more time to discuss and practice in class and the coverage of materials required by the institution is discussed.