Article published in:
Dutch Journal of Applied Linguistics
Vol. 9:1/2 (2020) ► pp. 207–214

An English academic reading course for Dutch pre-university students

| University of Groningen
| University of Groningen
| University of Groningen
| University of Groningen
In this research note we argue that reading lessons for the subject of English in Dutch pre-university education require adjustments. Currently, these lessons do not prepare students well for university reading. Too often, lessons emphasize searching for information, the dominant skill to pass the school exit exam. Instead, students would benefit much more from instruction on reading to learn and critical reading, which are important university skills. Moreover, the expository texts for English classes generally concern school subjects instead of genuine English content such as linguistics. To address these problems, we are in the process of developing an academic reading course focussing on linguistic topics to enhance students’ academic readiness, while at the same time adding depth and content to the subject of English in Dutch pre-university education. An empirical study to evaluate the effectiveness of this course will follow.
Keywords: academic reading course, strategies, pre-university education, linguistics, English lessons, Netherlands
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
    • 2.1Reading to learn
    • 2.2Critical reading
    • 2.3Content in the English lesson
  • 3.English academic reading for pre-university students
  • References
Available under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0 license.

For any use beyond this license, please contact the publisher at rights@benjamins.nl.

Published online: 02 February 2021
https://doi.org/10.1075/dujal.19042.gro
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An English academic reading course for Dutch pre-university students