Title page, abstract and table of contents only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / "This study attempts primarily to bring together some of the existing literature on text coherence, cohesion, and thematic structure and the influence of these text characteristics on reading comprehension and EAP material preparation, particularly in an EFL/ESL context. The textual features of coherence, cohesion and comprehensibility are of primary concern... The results of the analysis suggest that thematic elements and cohesive devices, which act as signposts in directing the readers’ attention in the meaning making process, are to be taken into account in teaching and testing reading and writing." -- From abstract. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1289484 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Humanities, 2007

Title page, abstract and table of contents only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University of Adelaide Library. / "This study attempts primarily to bring together some of the existing literature on text coherence, cohesion, and thematic structure and the influence of these text characteristics on reading comprehension and EAP material preparation, particularly in an EFL/ESL context. The textual features of coherence, cohesion and comprehensibility are of primary concern... The results of the analysis suggest that thematic elements and cohesive devices, which act as signposts in directing the readers’ attention in the meaning making process, are to be taken into account in teaching and testing reading and writing." -- From abstract. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1289484 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Humanities, 2007

This is a case study of the academic and occupational discourse of immigrant entrepreneurs in a bilingual (Cantonese and English) business and language program which aims to relate the linguistic and managerial knowledge acquired in class to the business operations. This case study raises problematic questions for both LSP (Language for Specific Purposes) research and bilingual code-switching research. There were two purposes: (1) to study the functional variation of discourse in the educational program and the operation of small business; and (2) to investigate the importance of the functional variation of discourse in code-switching. Pursuing purpose one, part one of the study explores two models: an LSP approach based on "genre" and learning tasks(Swales, 1990); and the Language Socialization approach (Halliday,1975; Mohan, 1986; Ochs, 1988) viewing language learning and sociocultural learning as occurring simultaneously in "activities"(social practices or situations). Two issues are raised: (1) Data indicate that the LSP approach does not illuminate the relation between academic discourse and occupational discourse; (2) It does not account for specific connections between tasks in classroom discourse and genres in business practices. The Language Socialisation approach, however, points to important dynamic theory/practice relations which appear in contrasts between business rules and examples, language rules and examples, seminar discourse and workshop discourse, and the English class and service encounter discourse. Pursuing purpose two, part two of the study compares the Language Socialization model with two models of code-switching as it relates to functional variation of discourse: (1) Guthrie (1983), and (2) Faerch (1985). Model (1) misses a large proportion of second language examples while model (2) fails to account for data labelled as "business rules" and "business examples" in the sample. The Language Socialization approach, however, recognises in discourse both theory (e.g., language and business rules) and practice (e.g., language and business examples). Rules are mostly handled in the first language while examples are mostly handled in the second language. A log-linear analysis indicates that, in all cases, "rules/ examples" is the strongest predictor of language choice. / Education, Faculty of / Curriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department of / Graduate

The aim of this project is to provide a curriculum designed specifically on the basis of negotiated and strategic competence, which will meet the needs of the business world.

This project addresses the need for effective English training for speakers of other languages who are engaged in professional careers.

The aim of this project is to propose a model for a private English language school in Greece with an emphasis on English for business purposes.

This project introduces theoretical discussion on five aspects of writing: register, genre, pragmatics, functional writing, and social function the goal of this project aims at improving business peoples' technical writing competence.

This study aims to explore how the application of Business English as a Lingua Franca (BELF) is perceived among the employees at a chosen company, exploring to what extent BELF is used, and identifying opportunities and challenges of BELF. Using a qualitative research methodology conducted through semi-structured interviews, consisting of six participants, the study delves into the usage of BELF in a bigger Swedish company, how the employees experience it, and what factors matter for its outcome. The results show overwhelmingly positive experiences of BELF among respondents, primarily due to its necessity and appreciated utility in facilitating communication with customers and colleagues who do not share the same mother tongue, emphasizing the significant role of English in diverse business contexts. However, despite the generally positive outlook, challenges such as multilingual meetings, code shifting, misunderstandings in different contexts, and a restricted vocabulary, are identified.

This study compared simulated sales negotiations with authentic negotiations. Specifically, three areas of language were considered: (i) chat phases, (ii) mitigation in disagreements, and (iii) argumentation. Findings indicated that greatly reduced use of chat phases in the simulations led to an impoverishment of the interactional aspect of communication. A statistical analysis indicated that mitigation of disagreements was significantly reduced when compared to authentic negotiations. Finally, in spite of the difference noted between professional and non-professional negotiators in the simulated negotiations, a significant increase in the use of argumentation was found in the simulations. Even though further research would be required, it could be hypothesized that these differences may be attributed to the one-off nature of simulations, the absence of a surrounding business context and the intrinsic difficulty of using interactional language in simulations. These factors should be considered when simulations are used and designed for business and LSP training courses. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Linguistics)

published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy