The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes (EAP), edited by Ken Hyland and Philip Shaw (and updated in 2026 with Paul Thompson), is a foundational text that bridges the gap between and pedagogical practice in applied linguistics . It serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, teachers, and advanced students navigating the complex landscape of university-level English. Thematic Structure and Content
: Unlike more prescriptive guides, it addresses "thorny issues," such as how EAP can reinforce institutional power structures and the "ancillary status" of EAP practitioners within universities. Comparative Value Handbook of English for Academic Purposes
: Analyzes how institutional environments and global trends—including the rise of English as an academic lingua franca —shape learning. The Routledge Handbook of English for Academic Purposes
: Dedicated sections cover core academic skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and modern research/pedagogic genres like 3-minute theses and digital genres . Critical Reception and Strengths : Explores the field's
: The latest edition introduces critical research on Artificial Intelligence in teaching , bibliometric approaches, and teacher professional development. Critical Reception and Strengths
: Explores the field's foundations, debating the merits of general versus subject-specific course designs.
The volume is organized into eight distinct sections, moving logically from broad ideological concepts to specific operational applications: