Training in a Second‐language Environment

Begins with a treatment of some general background issues on the nature and function of language. Maintains that English may be thought of as a range of styles which are used according to purpose and audience. Specialized purposes with specialized audiences produce specialized styles, which means that specialist styles will produce some level of difficulty for most people, particularly speakers of other languages. Sets out some implications of this training, and gives some strategies for approaching training in such a context. Describes a number of ways of estimating the readability of text and gives an example of text simplification. Concludes with a brief description of some strategies for actively teaching those aspects of specialist language which the trainer isolates as being important.