Langues & Cultures
Volume 6, Numéro 3, Pages 90-100
2025-11-18

Designing An English For Academic Purposes Course For Biology Students: A Focus On Argumentative Discourse



Authors : Benyaiche Hadja . Mahieddine Rachid .

Abstract

Abstract: This study investigates the argumentative discourse needs of second-year biology students at the University of Adrar, Algeria, within an English Medium Instruction (EMI) context. With the current English for Academic Purposes (EAP) module largely focused on terminology, the research aims to inform a proposed redesign of the EAP course. Three instruments were used to collect data: an argumentative essay task, a five-minute oral presentation, and a student questionnaire. The results indicate that students face persistent challenges in structuring arguments, supporting claims with evidence, and engaging with counterarguments—both in writing and in speech. Students’ perceptions further reveal that the current module does not meet their academic communication needs. These findings align with existing research highlighting the underrepresentation of argumentation instruction in EMI settings. The study recommends a shift from terminology-centered instruction to an argumentation-focused EAP module; one that offers pedagogical strategies such as Toulmin’s model, peer feedback, and dialogic tasks.

Keywords

Argumentative discourse ; English for Academic Purposes ; English Medium Instruction ; Biology students ; Academic communication needs ; Course design

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