Improving Readability in an Explicit Genre-based Approach: The Case of an EFL Workplace Context

Abstract

The present study investigates how learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) improve the readability of their texts in an explicit genre-based approach that is utilized in an oil and gas exploration workplace in Angola. By drawing on the English for Specific Purposes and Systemic Functional Linguistics genre traditions, the study engages 18 intermediate learners (14 males and 4 females) in an explicit instruction of an email making a request and assesses how learners’ written products improve in terms of genre and linguistics choices. The study also explores how learners notice the features that render their texts readable. The results shed light on the features that should require attention in helping learners with readability, and inform on the way an explicit genre-based approach should be utilized to maximize learners’ ability to notice readability features.