Having spent 25 years working with international students, I was interested to read Ayako YoshinoÕs article. But I wish that she had done her research before making the statements about academic writing instruction at UK universities. I was amazed to read: "Academic writing... provision is sporadic across the university system, and there does not seem to be much sharing of good practice."
I can assure her that if Cambridge University does not provide such courses, almost every other university in this country does. As far as sharing of good practice is concerned, the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes has existed since 1972 for this purpose. Most UK universities are members of BALEAP and, as well as a biennial conference, we have professional issues meetings three times a year precisely to share our practice in academic writing and other academic areas.
Andy Gillett
Chair, BALEAP
Hertfordshire University
www.baleap.org.uk