All Things EAP

BALEAP

All Things EAP is the official podcast of BALEAP, the global forum for EAP professionals. What do you think of the podcast? Please let us know by filling out this form. We'd love to use your feedback to inform our upcoming book chapter on Educational Podcasting. Thank you!

  1. 1d ago

    Generative AI in EAP - where are we now?

    Following on from 2024 episode on Machine Translation and GenAI, we explore a critical question: is generative AI really inevitable in education—or have we simply accepted a narrative? Our panel challenges the assumption that AI's dominance in higher education is a foregone conclusion. Rather than asking "how do we use AI?", they ask more fundamental questions: What does it mean for AI to be designed without commitment to truth? How do we preserve the productive difficulty that enables learning? And who sets the agenda—educators or edtech companies? They discuss the politics of academic writing, the importance of friction in learning, institutional massification, and what it means to centre values (rather than tools) in teaching and assessment. Hosts: Xiaoqing Bi, Xian-Jiaotong Liverpool University, China Paul Breen, University College London, UK Laura Richards, University of Leeds, UK Guests: Ayanna Prevatt-Goldstein, University College London, UK Mike Groves, Lingnan University, HK Klaus Mundt, University of Nottingham, UK Julia Molinari, The Open University, UK References: Beetham, H. (2026) 'Student writing as "passing" in a time of synthetic text', in Prevatt-Goldstein, A. and Mallows, D. (eds.) Critical perspectives on academic writing: The politics and practices of writing development in UK higher education. London: UCL Press, pp. 122–145. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781806550746 Groves, M. and Mundt, K. (2026) 'Progressive academic writing literacies: the constructive use of machine translation and generative AI as graduate competences', in Prevatt-Goldstein, A. and Mallows, D. (eds.) Critical perspectives on academic writing: The politics and practices of writing development in UK higher education. London: UCL Press, pp. 90–120. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781806550746 Molinari, J. (2026) 'Academic writing as political', in Prevatt-Goldstein, A. and Mallows, D. (eds.) Critical perspectives on academic writing: The politics and practices of writing development in UK higher education. London: UCL Press, pp. 25–51. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781806550746 Prevatt-Goldstein, A. and Mallows, D. (eds.) (2026) Critical perspectives on academic writing: The politics and practices of writing development in UK higher education. London: UCL Press. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.9781806550746 Turner, J. (2018) On writtenness: The cultural politics of academic writing. London: Bloomsbury Academic. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5040/9781474219051 BALEAP YouTube Channel

  2. 12/12/2025

    Challenges in Materials Design

    In this episode, EAP practitioners Jen McDougall, Katrien Dereoy, and Milada Walkova discuss the challenges and strategies in designing effective materials for English for Academic Purposes (EAP). The conversation highlights the importance of context, the role of feedback, and the necessity of both theoretical underpinnings and practical applications in materials design. They also touch on personalization for diverse student groups, the influence of AI, and incorporating inclusivity and diversity in EAP materials. The speakers offer practical advice for new and experienced EAP practitioners alike, emphasizing the value of collaboration, research, and continual learning. Host: Laura Richards, University of Leeds Guests: Jennifer McDougall, University of Glasgow Katrien Dereoy, University of Luxemburg Milada Walkova, University of Leeds References: Charles, M. & Frankenberg-Garcia, A. (eds.) (2021) Corpora in ESP/EAP Writing Instruction: Preparation, Exploitation, Analysis. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Karpenko-Seccombe, T. (2020) Academic Writing with Corpora: A Resource Book for Data-Driven Learning. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Mishan, F. & Timmis, I. (2015) Materials Development for TESOL. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Sinclair, J. (2004) Trust the Text: Language, Corpus and Discourse. London: Routledge. Tomlinson, B. (ed.) (2013) Developing Materials for Language Teaching. 2nd edn. London: Bloomsbury Academic. Tomlinson, B. (2011) Materials Development in Language Teaching. 2nd edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Walková, M. (2024) Teaching Academic Writing for EAP: Language Foundations for Practitioners. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

  3. 11/05/2025

    Discipline-specific vocabulary

    This episode explores the challenges of teaching and learning discipline-specific vocabulary in EAP contexts. Alex Runchman interviews four colleagues working across University College Dublin's satellite campuses in China, which teach diverse disciplines including finance, engineering, biological sciences, and environmental policy. The guests discuss the challenges of teaching technical terminology, strategies for vocabulary learning, the role of technology and AI, the unique partnership subject lecturers and EAP practitioners can enter into. Hosts: Xiaoqing Bi, Xi'an Jiaotong - Liverpool University Alex Runchman, University College Dublin Guests: Huang Zixia, School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin; teaches at Guangzhou Dublin International College Andy Merton, Beijing Dublin International College Joy Chu Ming-shi, Chang'an Dublin International College; background in environmental engineering Sally Ou Yali, Chang'an Dublin International College References: Coxhead, A. (2000). A new academic word list. TESOL Quarterly, 34(2), 213-238. Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press. Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2012). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and skills (3rd ed.). University of Michigan Press. Toogood, C., & Hale, K. (2025). Empowering professional identity and positive outcomes through Third Space collaboration: A subject lecturer and EAP practitioner case study. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, (33). https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.vi33.1196 Vandergrift, L., & Goh, C. C. (2012). Teaching and learning second language listening: Metacognition in action. Routledge.

  4. 09/15/2025

    EAP in Turkey

    In this episode, Michelle talks to experienced EAP practitioners in Turkey who discuss challenges, institutional differences, and the evolving role of practitioners in their context. Guests discuss their routes into EAP, curriculum autonomy, professional development, and the impact of native speakerism. The conversation gives a vital glimpse into the need for context-sensitive resources and greater institutional support for EAP professionals in differing contexts. Hosts: Michelle Evans, University of Leeds Laura Richards, University of Leeds Guests:  Derya Alinmakas, MEF University (Istanbul, Turkey) Yasemin Oral,  Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa (Istanbul, Turkey) Simon Mumford, Izmir University of Economics (Izmir, Turkey) References: Topkaya, E. Z. and Çelik, H. (eds.) (2024). Teaching English for Academic Purposes : Theory into Practice. Springer Nature: Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72545-6 On the transition from EGP to EAP teacher Campion, G. C. (2016). 'The learning never ends’: Exploring teachers’ views on the transition from General English to EAP. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 23, 59–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2016.06.003 On EAP teacher development Fitzpatrick, D., Costley, T., & Tavakoli, P. (2022). Exploring EAP teachers’ expertise: Reflections on practice, pedagogy and professional development. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 59, 101140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeap.2022.101140 On EAP teacher identity reconstruction Dikilitaş, K., & Mumford, S. (2023). Identity reconstruction through reflection and reflexivity: a new journey beyond the Ph.D. dissertation. Reflective Practice, 24(3), 265–278. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623943.2023.2170342 On the specific problems of EAP writing in Turkey Özdemir-Yılmazer, M. (2022). Exploring students’ developing perception of writing in an EAP program of an English-medium university in Turkey. The Reading Matrix: An International Online Journal, 22(2). On the benefits of writing up teacher research Dikilitaş, K., & Mumford, S. E. (2016). Supporting the writing up of teacher research: Peer and mentor roles. ELT Journal, 70(4), 371–381. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/ccw014

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All Things EAP is the official podcast of BALEAP, the global forum for EAP professionals. What do you think of the podcast? Please let us know by filling out this form. We'd love to use your feedback to inform our upcoming book chapter on Educational Podcasting. Thank you!