Year | definition | source | 1975 | "is concerned with those communication skills in English which are required for study purposes in formal education systems. It is curriculum-oriented, and in areas such as Anglophone Africa where English is the main study language it involves primary and secondary as well as tertiary levels." | The British Council (1975, p.-2) |
1976 | "... the language and study skills required to acquire competence in these areas within an educational institution" [n.b. defintion is implied ] |
| Richards, J.C. (ed.) (1976, p.-6) |
2001 | "the teaching of English with the specific aim of helping learners to study, conduct research or teach in that language" | Flowerdew, John. & Peacock, Matthew (2001, p.8) |
2002 | " refers to language research and instruction that focuses on the specific communicative needs and practices of particular groups in academic contexts" | Hyland, K. and Hamp-Lyons, L. (2002, p.2) |
2007 | "courses and materials designed specifically to help people who want to use English in academic contexts" | Harmer, Jeremy (2007, p.19) |