Teaching undergraduate academic writing in Sweden: notes on a new book with developmental and sociolinguistic perspectives

Abstract

Thinking and Writing in Academic Contexts: A University Companion (Falk, 2011), is designed to help students, especially those with L2 (or incipient L2) English, increase their proficiency levels in composing essays and short research papers in English. The book also aims to raise students� awareness of the typical expectations academic readers have when they consider the quality level of a text. This research note first provides a brief description of the language proficiency levels of incoming undergraduate students who study English in Sweden. Spoken proficiency in English usually ranges from satisfactory to excellent among incoming Swedish students, but these undergraduates typically need support and feedback on their texts so that their writing gains sophistication in language, structure, and content. The theoretical portion of this research note highlights some sociolinguistic perspectives concerning the linguistic development of young adults relating to the �developmental imperative� (Eckert, 2000), the �linguistic market� or �marketplace dialect� (Chambers, 2009), and the dynamic continuum of standard English (Wolfram & Schilling-Estes, 2006; see also Karstadt, 2002; Falk, 2005). The second half of the research note provides a brief synopsis of the chapters in the book; it also mentions some of the approaches that are taken to share advice with readers.