This paper provides a contextual, discourse analytical account of one writing consultation between a faculty-based language adviser and a Master of Public Health NESB student. The findings show that the consultation was a dynamic exchange during which a range of meanings were negotiated. The findings also show that the adviser scaffolded the student’s academic writing and learning in a number of ways
Martin and Rose make reference to how genre based approaches have been hugely successful in Australian schools. They recognise that introducing a genre based approach causes problems in English language programs: how can knowledge and skills be effectively learnt and to teach this knowledge an skills. Advocating a top down approach in contrast to a traditional bottom up approach to language teaching, Martin and Rose discuss Rothery's model of deconstruction, joint construction and independent construction to illustrate how talk and dialogue can be used to successfully allow learners to become independent in reading and writing themselves.