Is teaching EAP a profession? A reflection on EAP’s professional status, values, community and knowledge

This article reflects on the extent to which teaching English for Academic Purposes (EAP) can be regarded as a profession by investigating and evaluating: the status, values, community and knowledge associated with teaching EAP (English for Academic Purposes.) The findings suggest teaching EAP has an objectively-recognised status as a profession with a well-established community of professionals e.g. IATEFL ESP SIG and BALEAP with shared professional values and knowledge informed by a broad and comprehensive academic and professional knowledge base.