An overview of supplementary teaching materials for advanced EST students in Japan

EST (English for Science and Technology) is an important area of ESP in Japan. The success of EST courses for science and technology/engineering disciplines is partially dependent on the choices of teaching materials. As shown in previous research done by the same presenters of this study in ICAMechs 2014, the quantity of teaching materials for lower and intermediate levels of EST courses in Japan is considered to be satisfactory though the concerns over the quality and variations of technical disciplines still exist. This research is a continuation of the investigation of teaching materials for EST courses in Japan with a focus on the supplementary or reference materials for advanced students of EST at Japanese universities. This study aims to conduct an overview of the market available reference books for advanced EST students at Japanese universities. The categories of the overview include languages used, publication information, main content themes/topics and/or skills, target audience/level of English, and length.