ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC

AND PROFESSIONAL
PURPOSES
LESSON OUTCOME

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. determine the structure of a textbook in the natural and social
sciences;
2. describe language used in natural science and social science
textbooks;
3. explain the specific ideas contained in the natural and social sciences;
4. use knowledge of text structure of textbooks in social and natural
sciences to glean the information you need; and
5. Identify the main idea of a chapter from a natural or social science
textbook.
LESSON OBJECTIVES

6. state the thesis statement of an academic text;

7. paraphrase/ explain a text using one’s own words
8. outline reading texts in various disciplines
9. summarize the content of an academic text
10. write a précis/abstract/summary of texts in the various
disciplines
 READING TEXTBOOKS IN THE
NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

SCIENCE as a term?
Refer to:
Range of disciplines that involves process of discovery
How seasons change, parts of a flower, life cycle of a
frog, matter and energy, and so forth
SOCIAL SCIENCES TERMS

Refer to ff. disciplines:

Economics, sociology and history

Natural Sciences vs Social Sciences (similarities and

differences?)
What concrete topics are studied under each of these two
major divisions of what we term as science?
 WHAT IS SCIENCE?
(Refrain from using the dictionary: tap into your own
experiences to come up with your own definition of
science.)
THE NATURAL SCIENCES THE SOCIAL SCIENCES
Characteristi Sample Topics Characteristic Sample Topics
cs Studied s Studied
NATURAL SCIENCE VS. SOCIAL SCIENCE
 THE NATURE OF KNOWLEDGE IN THE NATURAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

• Knowledge presented has been produced as a result of a rigorous

application of the scientific method.
• Both data presentation in such fields are expected to be empirical in
nature,
• Through continued research, insights promulgated by these two
disciplines may improve or even change over time if proven that another
paradigm better explains a given phenomenon.
• The difference between the two, however, is that the natural sciences are
concerned with natural phenomena and physical variables.
• While the social sciences deal with behavior of individuals and
communities.
 THE LANGUAGE OF THE NATURAL AND
SOCIAL SCIENCES
• OBJECTIVE in nature
• Academic materials are written in a detached manner
• (author’s personal opinions, suggestions, and other peculiar
expressions are avoided in order to create an impression that the
data presented will hold true regardless of whoever is telling it)
• The pieces of information are usually presented in a deductive
manner.
• The overarching principles are first presented and then later on
backed up with concrete and specific pieces of evidence in order to
FEATURES OF A SAMPLE TEXTBOOK IN
THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

A. Unit Opener
B. Chapter Opener
C. Lesson Proper
D Lesson Synthesis
E. Assessment
 Pictures are
A. Unit not
Opener applications of
general
principles.
Rather, either
they are
remnants of a
culture tackled
in the unit or
depictions of
certain
historical or
social events
 The first paragraph of
the unit description
provides the period of
history to be tackled in
the unit. Note how it
The unit number sets the expectations
and the title are of the readers and
also indicated to provides the scope
and limitations of the
situate the unit.
discussion in the
unit in its proper
context and
sequence
The succeeding two
paragraphs, on the
other hand tell of
the specific topics
covered in the unit.
They also contain
some details as to
how topics will be
Oftentimes, the lesson
objectives are also
indicated in the lesson
opener. These are the
skills that students are
expected to manifest
after going through the
lesson.
 B. Chapter
Opener
The picture in the
chapter opener tells of
an important historical
icon in the civilization
being discussed. In
the case of this
sample lesson, it is
the Trojan Horse, the
Greeks’ key to victory
during the legendary
 Reading Tip
The pieces of information in social science
textbooks especially history textbooks presented
either chronologically or thematically. If the
arrangement is chronological, events are
narrated in sequential order. If it is thematic,
issues are tackled according to the categories
they fall under. Knowing the way ideas are
organized in the textbook will help you track the
flow of information more easily and pinpoint the
specific details you need to note.
 N

PROPER
 Maps are commonly found in the history
textbook and other materials in social
sciences. They can help locate specific
places where historical events transpired.
They can also provide information on the
kind of life the people being studied have
or had since geographical location and
topographical features influence a
community’s behavior. Moreover, they can
also help you visualize the discussion in the
textbook

This is an example of a bibliographic citation. It

serves to help you locate where a piece of information,
a material or an image is found. Furthermore, we also
uphold the principle of academic honesty whenever we
cite sources.
 The continuing portion In which places did the
“Foreign Trade” in the Minoans maintain trade
body of the lesson should relations?
still be in congruence This is an example of a
both with the thesis focusing question. It
statement and the lesson aims to highlight
objectives certain aspects of the
text that the author
deems important
Note that the map in
this section aims to
deepen your
understanding of the
foreign trade that Challenge: Try to use
transpired during the the map to trace the
Minoan and trade routes being
Mycenaean described in the
civilizations. subsection entitled
“Foreign Trade”.
 D. Lesson These bullet points serve to
Synthesis recapitulate and synthesize
• The Minoans showed the art of the important points of the
painting in frescoes and in pots. lesson. This, however, should
• In 1400B.C.E., the Mycenaeans invaded not be seen as substitute to
Knossos and replaced the Minoans as
reading the entire text, for the
the king of commerce in the Aegean
Sea. important insights about each
• The capital of Mycenaen civilization was point are expounded in the
the city of Mycenae; its most famous body of the lesson itself.
king was Agamemnon.
• The city of Troy fell into the hands of the
Mycenaeans in a battle which was given
life by Homer in the Iliad.
• The Mycenaeans had their own system
of writing which is called Linear B.
 The valuing question
aim to highlight the
importance of the
lesson in day-to-day
VALUING life. They are also
intended to connect
• Which contribution of the the contents of the
Minoans is important in the lesson with the current
present time? Why? context of the student.
• How does mankind give Remember that by
importance to the legacy of studying history, we
Minoan and Mycenaean become better
civilizations? equipped in shaping
the future
 The gap- fill activity
found at the end of
the lesson aims to
refresh the students
Study Helps on some important
I. Vocabulary. Choose the correct term in the box
that will complete the thought of each sentence.
terms introduced in
Write your answer on the blank. the lesson. It may
be answered either
fresco bull writing excavations before reading the
seafares epic Homer Western gold
actual lesson to set
the student’s’
1. The Greek peninsula became the cradle of
expectations or at
_________________ civilization. the end to check
2. The Minotaur was a beast with the head of a whether or not the
_______ and the body of a man.
students do
understand what
 E.
Assessment
II. Discussion. Answer the following questions for class
discussion.
A. Minoan Civilization
1. What civilization was formed in Crete? Who was the
king of the island?
2. Describe the ruins of the large palace in the city of
Knossos.
B. Mycenaean Civilization
1. Where did the Mycenaeans come from?
2. Why did Homer call the Mycenaeans as Achaeans?
III. Activity
Compare by means of a Venn diagram the Minoan and
Mycenaean civilization.
The discussion questions are designed to help you
come up with a comprehensive understanding of
the lesson’s contents. Although they are usually
written at the end of the chapter, these may be
read even before dealing with the lesson itself so
that you will be guided accordingly. If answered
at the end of the lesson, these can serve as
comprehension checks.
 The Venn diagram is just one of
the types of concept map or
graphic organizer that will
enable you to come up with a
bird’s eye view of the lesson.
2 Use only key words in producing
1
Minoan Mycenaea one; doing so will help you
3 n organize your thoughts. We will
see in the next chapter hoc a
concept map can be turned into
an outline of the entire chapter.
It may also serve as a reviewer.

1-2: Differences
3: Similarities
• Examine the connection between the discussion
questions and the lesson objectives at the beginning
of a chapter.
• These two portions direct you to the significant parts
of the lesson.
• Assessment tasks in social sciences are comprised of
essay and/or oral examinations. Why don’t you test
your conceptual understanding of the topic by
attempting to write an essay or deliver an oral
presentation based on the lesson’s objectives?
 Further, we also uphold the
principle of academic honesty
whenever we cite sources.