English as an Additional Language: Appreciating Academic English

Explore this section, to understand the difference between academic and everyday English and language use.

A good knowledge of Academic English is necessary to achieve your academic and career goals. It is not just about speaking – it is about communicating with precision, depth and clarity. 

Academic English language differs significantly from everyday language.

• Academic Language: This is the formal language used in academic and professional settings. It requires

• Sophisticated vocabulary, often discipline-specific

• Precision

• Appropriate grammar and expressions

• Everyday Language: In contrast, everyday language is social language, and is simple and informal. It is used in everyday conversations among family and friends.

To succeed academically, you will need to use academic language to describe and understand complex ideas, process higher-order thinking, and grasp abstract concepts. 

 Watch the video below to learn more about academic language.

The figure below highlights the main differences between academic and everyday English.