Abstract
Although English has become the lingua franca of science, the degree of access and proficiency varies greatly among individuals and nations. This is one of the downsides of a global language. It may be a few decades before equal access becomes routine (Education First, EF English Proficiency Index (2017) (cited 2018), www.ef.com/epi [1]). Meanwhile, language bias prevents many scientists in the world from fully accessing scientific knowledge. This chapter discusses the issues facing L2 readers and how we can help bridge the gap between L2 readers’ proficiency in English and their access to scientific knowledge.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Education First, EF English Proficiency Index (2017) (cited 2018), www.ef.com/epi
ETS, Linking TOEFL iBT Scores to IELTS Scores—A Research Report (2010), pp. 1–17
M.F. Ruiz-Garrido, J.C. Palmer-Silveira, I. Fortanet-Gomez (eds.), in English for Professional and Academic Purposes, ed. by W. Herrlitz, P. van den Hoven. Utrecht Studies in Language and Communication, vol. 22 (Rodopi, Amsterdam, 2010), p. 237
D.C. Castano, A Software/Design Method for Predicting Readability for ESL Students. English Philology, Complutense University of Madrid, Masters, P.T. Caller (2010)
J. Milton, The development of vocabulary breadth across the CEFR levels, in Communicative Proficiency and Linguistic Development: Intersections Between SLA and Language Testing Research, ed. by I. Bartning, M. Martin, I. Vedder (European Second Language Association, 2010), pp. 211–232
P. Nation, R. Waring, Vocabulary size, text coverage and word lists, in Vocabulary: Description, Acquisition and Pedagogy, ed. by N. Schmitt, M. McCarthy (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1997), pp. 6–19
G.H.P. Roos, C.L. Roos, Organic Chemistry Concepts: An EFL Approach (Academic Press, Boston, 2015)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Roos, C., Roos, G. (2019). Bridging the Gap. In: Real Science in Clear English. SpringerBriefs in Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7820-1_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7820-1_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore
Print ISBN: 978-981-13-7819-5
Online ISBN: 978-981-13-7820-1
eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)