English for Academic Purposes Program

What is the Role of EAP at AIU?

Language study and language learning are the most effective means of acquiring genuine cross-cultural understanding. Language learning is often regarded as a tool because it is necessary for basic communication with people of various cultures and language backgrounds. However, using a language adequately at an advanced level calls for a deeper level of acquisition than a mastery of grammar and vocabulary, merely as “tools.”

To understand and use a language in order to gain knowledge beyond a superficial level, we must understand its special ways of structuring thoughts and expressing feelings. When we laugh at a joke in a second language, when we read a story, recite a poem, or watch a wonderful movie, we are sharing experiences that extend far beyond what we usually think of as “language.” You must learn to understand the cultural attitudes and values of the people whose language you are learning, and in doing so, come to understand and appreciate more deeply the richness of his or her native language and culture.

AIU describes its own curriculum as an example of “international liberal arts.” Essentially, “liberal arts” refers to a course of study that balances electives (choices) with requirements, so that students are expected to enroll in courses that represent various disciplines—social studies, hard sciences, arts, humanities, and usually foreign language and culture. Liberal arts curricula also typically require students to take a number of basic foundation courses, such as computer skills and composition courses.

The study of foreign language and culture has traditionally been a part of liberal arts curricula in the United States, and liberal arts education has characterized many of the finest universities in the world. English language study at AIU is required, obviously, because English is the medium of instruction for all courses. However, at the same time, the EAP, through its reading, writing and oral skills courses, makes every effort to introduce to students a wide range of topics, themes and styles of discourse in order to provide necessary background for study in AIU’s “international liberal arts” educational program. Language study at AIU serves to introduce students to the nature and spirit of liberal arts.

 

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