Thesis and dissertation writing : Preparing ESL students for research

Large numbers of ESL students are undertaking degrees throughout the world where they are required to write a thesis or dissertation in English. These students often have difficulty in meeting the demands of the kind of writing required of them at this particular level. They are often unaware of the level of preparation writing a thesis or dissertation requires of them. This article describes a program which aims to help ESL students prepare for thesis and dissertation writing by focusing on the thesis proposal as an important part of that process. © 1997 The American University.