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This book is a timely go-to resource for any professionals wishing to communicate with the growing number of readers whose first language is not English. It highlights the potential language difficulties these readers face, and provides guidelines and tools for overcoming them. The guidelines show how to convey complicated information clearly without affecting the integrity of the subject matter, while the practical 'before' and 'after' examples clearly illustrate how using these guidelines and improves scientific texts. The book also includes text evaluation tools that allow writers to rapidly assess the readability of their materials. It is based on theory and the authors' extensive experience in producing highly readable English texts for L2 readers who struggle with materials that were originally prepared for L1 readers.
List of contents
1 Globalisation of Science and Technology.- 2 Bridging the Gap.- 3 Readability.- 4 The L2 Reading Experience.- 5 What's in a Word?.- 6 Sentences: Get a Grip on Grammar.- 7 Go with the Flow.- 8 Select Style.- 9 Clear the Page.- 10 Tools for Readability.
About the author
Gregory Roos is an organic chemistry professor, researcher and writer with more than 35 years of experience in academic institutions in seven countries. He has developed chemistry courses and learning material for students with various non-English linguistic backgrounds in South Africa, the Middle East, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. In addition to writing more than 150 research papers, conference contributions, and giving invited lectures, he is co-author of Organic Chemical Concepts, an EFL Approach (Academic Press, 2015), and author of the unique research collections Key Chiral Auxiliary Applications (Academic Press, 2014) and the Compendium Of Chiral Auxiliary Applications (Academic Press, 2002). He currently is an adjunct Professor at Murdoch University, Australia, and remains engaged in various academic writing projects.
Cathryn Roos has more than 30 years’ experience developing curriculum and materials for English as a Foreign Language programs in the Middle East, Canada and Japan. She has developed specialized courses as well as learning and testing materials for disciplines such as health and safety, alternative sources of energy, engineering, general science, early childhood education, office skills and computer applications. She has a BA in Anthropology (U. Manitoba), a TESL Certificate (Carleton U.), and a Master of Education (U. Toronto).
Summary
This book is a timely go-to resource for any professionals wishing to communicate with the growing number of readers whose first language is not English. It highlights the potential language difficulties these readers face, and provides guidelines and tools for overcoming them. The guidelines show how to convey complicated information clearly without affecting the integrity of the subject matter, while the practical ‘before’ and ‘after’ examples clearly illustrate how using these guidelines and improves scientific texts. The book also includes text evaluation tools that allow writers to rapidly assess the readability of their materials. It is based on theory and the authors’ extensive experience in producing highly readable English texts for L2 readers who struggle with materials that were originally prepared for L1 readers.
