This book features five theme-based units on cross-disciplinary academic English skills, focusing on the needs of first-year undergraduate students. Each unit covers academic writing, reading and speaking skills. The units progressively take students through the steps needed to complete three common academic assignments: the essay, report and tutorial discussion. These steps include searching for sources, note-taking, establishing personal stance, synthesizing information from multiple sources and structuring academic texts. Each unit also includes opportunities for students to analyze texts, apply their critical thinking skills, try out what they have learnt in productive tasks, as well as reflect upon their progress.

It is aimed at first-time university students. Many of the readings in the book are related to China and the broader Asian context. As such, this textbook might appeal to first-year university students in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan.

Miranda Legg is a senior lecturer in the Centre for Applied English Studies at the University of Hong Kong.

Kevin Pat is an assistant lecturer in the Centre for Applied English Studies at the University of Hong Kong.

Steve Roberts is an instructional designer in the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Hong Kong.

Rebecca Welland is a lecturer in the Centre for Applied English Studies at the University of Hong Kong.

Letty Chan has taught undergraduate English for Academic Purposes (EAP) and English for Specific Purposes (ESP) courses at the University of Hong Kong and is currently a doctoral candidate in applied linguistics at the University of Nottingham.

Louisa Chan is a lecturer in the Centre for Applied English Studies at the University of Hong Kong.

Wai Lan Tsang is an honorary assistant professor in the Department of Linguistics at the University of Hong Kong.