MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Language, sentence structure and vocabulary
Prefix and suffix
Task 1: Prefix
Make the opposite of these words using the following prefixes:
UNINDISILIMIRpossible
honest
appear
pack
lock
polite
visible
patient
regular
happy
correct
legible
friendly
employed
agree
legal
Write the new words in the table below:
1.
5.
9.
13.
2.
6.
10.
14.
3.
7.
11.
15.
4.
8.
12.
16.
Task 2: Suffix
Write down the words from the box with one suffix. There might be more than
one but just use one.
NOTE: One word already has a suffix.
1.
5.
9.
13.
2.
6.
10.
14.
3.
7.
11.
15.
4.
8.
12.
16.
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
Reading 1
The importance of pronunciation
All ESL (English as a second language) speakers have one thing in common,
which is a difficult problem with pronunciation. Although non-native speakers
study grammar and vocabulary for many years, they do struggle to speak like
native speakers due to pronunciation.
One of the first things a listener hears during a conversation or lecture is the
pronunciation. One can easily detect if the speaker is native or non-native.
When an ESL speaker is in conversation with a native speaker, the ESL speaker
can usually understand the native speaker’s grammar and vocabulary if used
coherently. However, if the pronunciation is difficult to understand, even though
the grammar and structure of the sentence is correct, the listener will not
understand what has been said.
Pronunciation and accent
The two points below show what an ESL student suffers from if they have poor
pronunciation skills:


People usually don’t understand what the ESL student is saying.
People usually understand what the ESL student is saying but the ESL
speaker may have to repeat their statements for clarification.
Many non-native speakers worry about having an obvious accent when they
speak English. This is unavoidable and depends on where you study English.
Realise, for example, that the English that is spoken in England, Australia and
Canada is different from the English that is spoken in the United States. Even
within these countries there is a wide range of accents. People from New York
speak different English from people in California.
Pronunciation tips



Keep practising. You will only get better and more confident.
Practise pronunciation in front of a mirror. Watch your mouth as you
speak.
What you see is not always what you get. Remember that the spelling of
words and their pronunciation are often different.
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
Task 1: Read the article The importance of pronunciation and answer the
following questions TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN:
1.
2.
3.
4.
ESL speakers are non-native speakers of English.
Non-native speakers study pronunciation every day.
You can easily detect if a speaker is native or non-native when they speak.
If you have good grammar and vocabulary you will have good
pronunciation.
5. If you have poor pronunciation, people will ask you to repeat what you
have said.
6. Australian native speakers have different accents from Americans.
7. Americans from New York speak with same accent as Californians as it is
American English.
8. If you practise pronunciation your pronunciation will improve with time.
9. A good way of improving your pronunciation is using a mirror.
10. If you can spell correctly you will speak with good pronunciation.
Language, sentence structure and vocabulary
Informal and formal
Task 1: Match one part of each box to match the topic ‘Informal and formal’.
Fill out the table below.
expressing enthusiasm
suggesting
explaining
thanking
apologising
expressing preferences
requesting information
I would rather visit...
I would just like to say I think that is wonderful news.
The first step would be to…
I would really appreciate it if you could forward the timetable to me.
I just want to express my sincere thanks for all you have done.
I recommend going to a German restaurant.
I would just like to apologise for forgetting your birthday.
I'd really prefer to visit...
I'm really sorry I forgot your birthday.
What you need to do is...
I think that's wonderful news!
Can you send me the timetable?
You really must go to a German restaurant.
What you need to do is...
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
Type of expression
Informal
Formal
Reading 2
Task 1: Read the following article
Reading tips for ESL students
Some people simply do not like reading, regardless of whether it is in English or
your own native language. For ESL students, reading is part of the curriculum in
all ESL course books. Here are some tips that might help you to enjoy reading.
1. Keep an open mind. Do not make up your mind that you are not going to
enjoy reading a textbook, novel or short story before you have even
picked it up. Keep your mind open and give it a go.
2. Be patient. As an ESL student you may not understand every single word
or comprehend the concept at first. Don’t put pressure on yourself to
understand every single word on the page, and don’t give up after the first
page because you think it’s too difficult. Ask yourself some questions as
you read to make sure that you do understand. Critical thinking questions
will help you understand and evaluate the text.
3. Choose something that interests you. Start your reading by choosing a
topic that will stimulate you as a reader. Perhaps a biography about your
favourite singer or actor, or the sports section or a newspaper. Read a
magazine that contains articles with topics you already know about. The
vocabulary will be more insightful as you understand it.
4. Choose a text that is not too difficult. Make sure that your reading
material is appropriate for your level. You will lose interest and patience
if you cannot understand or if you need to check your dictionary every
minute to understand the vocabulary.
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
5. Read as much as possible. It doesn’t matter if it is only a page per day and
increases to more. You need to start somewhere and once you have
started, keep it going. If you get bored with the reading material, change
to another source. You must always be interested in what you are reading.
The only way to improve is through practice. Practice makes perfect!
6. Talk about what you have read. Share what you have read. Let friends or
colleagues know that you are reading and what you are reading. In an
educational environment, people will be very supportive and may even
encourage you more. People might even give you further suggestions on
reading material or recommend certain places to buy books or read.
Task 2: Below are the answers that relate to the reading. Write your own
questions.
1. ________________________________?
No they don’t. Not all people like reading.
2. _______________________________?
No you shouldn’t make up your mind before reading.
3. ________________________________?
Yes. A biography about your favourite singer or actor.
4. _________________________________?
It doesn’t matter if it’s only a page a day.
5. ________________________________?
Yes. You will be surprised that people will be supportive.
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
ANSWERS
Academic and Informal Language
Language, sentence structure and vocabulary
Task 1: Prefix
1. Impossible
2. Dishonest
3. Disappear
4. Impatient
5. Unhappy
6. Incorrect
7. Illegible
8. Unpack
9. Irregular
10. Unfriendly
11. Unlock
12. Impolite
13. Invisible
14. Unemployed
15. Disagree
16. Illegal
Task 2: Suffix
1. Possibility
2. Honesty
3. Appearance
4. Patiently
5. Happiness
6. Correctness
7. Legibility
8. Packing / ed
9. Regularity
10. Friendliness
11. Locking / ed
12. Politeness
13. Visibility
14. Already has ed.
15. Agreement
16. Legality
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
Reading 1
Task 1: Read the article ‘The importance of pronunciation’ and answer the
following questions TRUE, FALSE or NOT GIVEN:
1. ESL speakers are non-native speakers of English.
TRUE
2. Non-native speakers study pronunciation every day.
NOT GIVEN
3. You can easily detect if a speaker is native or non-native when they speak.
TRUE
4. If you have good grammar and vocabulary you will have good
pronunciation.
NOT GIVEN
5. If you have poor pronunciation, people will ask you to repeat what you
have said.
TRUE
6. Australian native speakers have different accents to Americans.
TRUE
7. Americans from New York speak with same accent as Californians as it is
American English.
FALSE
8. If you practice pronunciation your pronunciation will improve with time.
TRUE
9. A good way of improving your pronunciation is using a mirror.
TRUE
10. If you can spell correctly you will speak with good pronunciation.
NOT GIVEN
Language, sentence structure and vocabulary
Informal and formal
Task 1: Match one part of each box to match topic ‘Informal and formal’.
1. APOLOGISING
Formal: I would just like to apologise for forgetting your birthday.
Informal: I'm really sorry I forgot your birthday.
2. EXPLAINING
Formal: The first step would be to
Informal: What you need to do is...
3. EXPRESSING ENTHUSIASM
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014
Formal: I would just like to say I think that is wonderful news.
Informal: I think that's wonderful news!
4. EXPRESSING PREFERENCE
Formal: I would rather visit...
Informal: I'd really prefer to visit...
5. REQUESTING INFORMATION
Formal: I would really appreciate it if you could forward the timetable to me.
Informal: Can you send me the timetable?
6. THANKING
Formal: I just want to express my sincere thanks for all you have done.
Informal: Thanks a lot for everything you did for us.
7. SUGGESTING
Formal: I recommend going to a German restaurant.
Informal: You really must go to a German restaurant.
Reading 2
Task 2: Below are the answers that relate to the reading. Write your own
questions.
1. Do all people / Does everyone like reading.
No they don’t. Not all people like reading.
2. Should you decide if you don’t like an article before reading it?
No you shouldn’t make up your mind before reading.
3. What should I start to read to make me interested in reading?
A biography about your favourite singer or actor.
4. How much should I read a day to begin with?
It doesn’t matter if it’s only a page a day.
5. Should you tell friends or colleagues that you are reading?
Yes. You will be surprised that people will be supportive.
For more detailed comprehension of these activities, MODULE 7 can also be
completed alongside both the Key to EAP Student Book: Foundation Level and the
Key to EAP Student Workbook: Foundation Level.
Click here for more information on the Key to EAP series:
http://www.oup.com.au/elt/skills2/key_to_eap.
A Complete English for Academic Purposes Program. MODULE 7: Academic and Informal
Language
Learning resources created by Peter Mooney-Smith and Clare Goss
© Oxford University Press 2014