Teachers’ perceptions of the current practices and challenges in English for academic purposes: A survey study at universities in Shanghai, China

This study investigates university teachers’ perceptions of current practices and challenges in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) instruction at four institutions in Shanghai, China. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research explores key areas including course and assessment design, teaching materials, teacher training, and pedagogical approaches. The findings highlight widespread reliance on English for General Academic Purposes (EGAP), inconsistent assessment practices, limited teacher preparedness, and dissatisfaction with available teaching resources. Although teachers recognize the distinct demands of EAP, many struggle to implement them effectively due to a lack of institutional support and targeted training. The study underscores the need for contextually appropriate materials, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance the quality and relevance of EAP instruction in Chinese higher education. This article was published open access under a CC BY licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ .