The use of English in Brazilian academic life : The main parameters

Abstract

This article comments on some interesting aspects which emerged from a large scale project carried out to determine the role of English in the Brazilian scientific and academic community. Based on the data obtained an attempt was made to identify the main parameters which govern the use of English, i. e. the stage reached in academic life (from undergraduate to post doctoral) and the specialism. We also show the need to analyse the text types associated with different specialisms. As a conclusion we show how this type of survey would be useful in better targeting ESP programmes to the most suitable groups.