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  • © 2019

Real Science in Clear English

A Guide to Scientific Writing for the Global Market

  • Provides simple, practical recommendations and methods for improving the readability and fitness for purpose of texts
  • Uniquely focuses on the specific challenges faced by non-native English readers
  • Raises awareness of learner-language profile among creators and publishers of scientific materials
  • Based on extensive professional experience teaching and interacting with non-native readers of English in scientific and academic settings

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Education (BRIEFSEDUCAT)

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Table of contents (10 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxi
  2. The Global Impact of English and Science

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 1-7
  3. Bridging the Gap

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 9-13
  4. Readability

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 15-21
  5. The L2 Reading Experience

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 23-39
  6. What’s in a Word?

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 41-52
  7. Get a Grip on Grammar

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 53-73
  8. Go with the Flow

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 75-88
  9. Balance Your Style

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 89-94
  10. Clear the Page

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 95-108
  11. Tools for Readability

    • Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos
    Pages 109-127

About this book

This book is a timely go-to resource for any professionals wishing to communicate with the growing number of readers whose first language is not English. It highlights the potential language difficulties these readers face, and provides guidelines and tools for overcoming them. The guidelines show how to convey complicated information clearly without affecting the integrity of the subject matter, while the practical ‘before’ and ‘after’ examples clearly illustrate how using these guidelines and improves scientific texts. The book also includes text evaluation tools that allow writers to rapidly assess the readability of their materials. It is based on theory and the authors’ extensive experience in producing highly readable English texts for L2 readers who struggle with materials that were originally prepared for L1 readers.


Authors and Affiliations

  • Perth, Australia

    Cathryn Roos

  • Murdoch University, Perth, Australia

    Gregory Roos

About the authors

Gregory Roos is an organic chemistry professor, researcher and writer with more than 35 years of experience in academic institutions in seven countries. He has developed chemistry courses and learning material for students with various non-English linguistic backgrounds in South Africa, the Middle East, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. In addition to writing more than 150 research papers, conference contributions, and giving invited lectures, he is co-author of Organic Chemical Concepts, an EFL Approach (Academic Press, 2015), and author of the unique research collections Key Chiral Auxiliary Applications (Academic Press, 2014) and the Compendium Of Chiral Auxiliary Applications (Academic Press, 2002). He currently is an adjunct Professor at Murdoch University, Australia, and remains engaged in various academic writing projects.

Cathryn Roos has more than 30 years’ experience developing curriculum and materials for English as a Foreign Language programs in the Middle East, Canada and Japan. She has developed specialized courses as well as learning and testing materials for disciplines such as health and safety, alternative sources of energy, engineering, general science, early childhood education, office skills and computer applications. She has a BA in Anthropology (U. Manitoba), a TESL Certificate (Carleton U.), and a Master of Education (U. Toronto).

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Real Science in Clear English

  • Book Subtitle: A Guide to Scientific Writing for the Global Market

  • Authors: Cathryn Roos, Gregory Roos

  • Series Title: SpringerBriefs in Education

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7820-1

  • Publisher: Springer Singapore

  • eBook Packages: Education, Education (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-981-13-7819-5Published: 20 August 2019

  • eBook ISBN: 978-981-13-7820-1Published: 07 August 2019

  • Series ISSN: 2211-1921

  • Series E-ISSN: 2211-193X

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXI, 127

  • Number of Illustrations: 55 b/w illustrations, 23 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Science Education, Engineering/Technology Education, Writing Skills, English

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 59.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access