Al Ghurair University: English Language Program

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM - 2009/2010

Preamble

The mission of the English Language Developmental Program (ELDP) is to develop students’ English language proficiency to qualify them to pass the TOEFL successfully and to be subsequently admitted to AGU.

In order to fulfill the admission requirements at AGU, a candidate must demonstrate sufficient command of English language, as measured by the TOEFL test or an equivalent. The candidate must submit a minimum score of 500 in the paper based exam, or 173 in the computer based version, or 61 points in the internet based exam of the international TOEFL. Alternatively, an academic IELTS score of 5.0 points is accepted.

Placement Test

All potential students without adequate proof of their English proficiency are requested to take the Placement Test. This is an official TOEFL test conducted at the university in association with PAC, professional assessment company which is a licensed TOEFL institution. After an evaluation of the Placement Test scores, students are placed in an appropriate level of study.

Program Structure

The ELDP program consists of four levels that are sequenced in terms of language proficiency and complexity. The aim of instruction is to improve the English language skills of each student in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as in the use of grammar and vocabulary. The ELDP courses are designed to develop students’ academic preparation, facilitate independent learning skills and optimize the opportunity for success in university courses.

Teaching/ Learning Plan

The focus in the primary levels of the program is on general English. As language proficiency increases, ELDP courses become more academic in nature. In Level 4, students are prepared to sit for the Institutional TOEFL test, which, in partnership with PAC, will be held on campus periodically.

Each level has a defined focus on Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Grammar and Vocabulary.

Reading

The goals of the reading skills component are twofold: to improve reading comprehension and to increase reading speed. These goals are met through the extended practice of a variety of reading skills from multiple genres and interest based texts.

Writing

Writing development guides students from brainstorming for ideas, organization of ideas and the required editing and revision. The program entails sentence construction, paragraph development and eventually the writing of extended essays.

Listening

The main objective of the listening component is to develop and improve the ability of each student to effectively comprehend and respond in English. This goal is met through practice in interactive listening activities.

Speaking

Speaking practice prepares students to effectively communicate in social and academic settings. Instruction is given in how to respond with courtesy, express an opinion articulately, to agree or disagree effectively and to persuade and argue a point convincingly.

Grammar

The objective of the grammar component is to achieve grammatical accuracy though integration with reading, writing and oral activities.

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is orientated towards preparing the student to comprehend the variety of course specific words encountered in university study.

Instruction and Evaluation

         Level 1: 15 hours per week for 8 weeks.
         Level 2: 15 hours per week for 8 weeks.
         Level 3: 12 hours per week for 8 weeks plus one university course.
         Level 4: 6 hours per week per semester plus up to three university courses.

TOEFL Examination

Students who pass Level Four may sit for the TOEFL examination at Al Ghurair University. The examination is conducted in partnership with PAC.

Evaluation

Progress tests are administered regularly. Practice tests, quizzes, projects, midterms and final examinations are given to assess progress in the courses. Promotion to a higher level in the program is determined by course grades and instructor assessment.

Academic Credit

ELDP credits are not transferable to degree programs. They are designed primarily to prepare the student for TOEFL and to facilitate university entrance as per the Ministry of Higher Education and Research requirements.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Level 1: Elementary - The primary focus is on accelerating the acquisition of vocabulary and improving conversational skills in tandem with grammatical competence. Basic reading and writing skills are given concentrated attention.

Level 2: Intermediate - Writing skills focus on paragraph construction, and reading skills such as skimming, scanning and predicting are introduced. Grammatical relationships are studied and guided conversational activities are undertaken.

Level 3: Upper-intermediate - Students are expected to develop an awareness of audience, become adept at detecting contextual cues and employ a wide range of appropriate vocabulary in written and verbal tasks. Guided practice in essay writing is also introduced.

Level 4: TOEFL Preparation - The objective in this course is to achieve Institutional TOEFL readiness in anticipation of the Institutional TOEFL test. Extensive reading is expected and major reading skills are reviewed in tandem with listening comprehension, structure and written expression.

FEES

         Level 1- AED 7500/-
         Level 2- AED 7500/-
         Level 3- AED 6000/-
         Level 4- AED 6000/-

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

The English language department also offers the following courses:

English communication (ENC102): ENC 102 is a three credit hours course. The purpose of this course is to present an overview of the foundations of business communication, with particular emphasis on the skills necessary to establish and maintain effective professional and personal relationships.

English composition (ENC101): ENC 1O1 is a three credit hours course. The course focuses on composing as a recursive process for generating meaning as well as communicating effectively. The course deals with paragraph writing in different genres and shows how writers can achieve focus and coherence; support their claims with evidence as well as proofread and edit their work.

Report Writing (ENC105): ENC105 is a three credit hours course. The purpose of the course is to introduce technical writing, which familiarizes students with the principles of clear, concise writing in a technical environment for specific discourse communities. Technical writing conventions such as headings, illustrations, style, and tone in the writing of a variety of reports will be considered.

Research and study skills (ENC104) : ENC104 is a three credit hours course. This course focuses on the research and learning skills needed to succeed in university. Topics include: improving comprehension, utilizing reading strategies for study purposes, developing vocabulary, mastering course content, taking notes, managing time, taking tests, writing assignments, referencing techniques, setting academic goals and making optimum use of study resources. Tutoring, counseling, and computer learning assistance are provided.

FACULTY PROFILE

SHADI HIJAZI - Shadi is a lecturer and the acting head of the English Language Centre. He has a Master's degree in Curricula and Teaching Methods of English Language, from Amman Arab University for Graduate Studies, Jordan. His Bachelor's degree in English Language & literature, is from Philadelphia University. He worked as a lecturer at Aljabal Algharbi University, Libya, American University of Sharjah, Canadian University of Dubai and Computer College, Dubai. He is also the manager of Sweileh Educational Institute, Jordan. He designs Instructional Software and is an avid user of technology in teaching to facilitate the achievement of his course objectives.

Dr. SUHAIR AL-ALAMI - Suhair Al-Alami graduated in 2003, with a PhD in Applied Linguistics. She is presently reading for a second PhD at Aston University in Birmingham, England. Dr. Al-Alami worked as a Senior Supervisor of Teaching and Training at the Ministry of Education in Jordan. At present, she is a Lecturer at Al Ghurair University, Dubai. Dr. Al-Alami is recognized for her achievements in the field of TEFL. Whilst working in Jordan, she was twice nominated to represent the country. Besides conducting workshops and initiating training programs, she has published several articles and directed some projects in Jordan and the UAE. In addition, Dr. Al- Alami has presented papers at twenty-seven conferences, the most prominent of which are the ALTE International Conference which was held at the University of Cambridge/England in the year 2008, and the PALA International Conference which was held at Roosevelty Academy/Holland in the year 2009. Last but not least, Dr. Al-Alami is a member of TESOL Arabia/UAE, MENAWACA/UAE, and PALA/UK.

TAMARA BANI HANI - Tamara Bani Hani is an instructor in the English Language Department at Al Ghurair University since 2008. She has graduated in 2006 from University of Jordan, with an M.A in Linguistics. Ms. Bani Hani also holds a B.A in English for Special Purposes from Jordan University of Science and Technology. Her current research interests are in the field of sociolinguistics, with particular emphasis on code switching. She is also researching the impact and implications of new word formation in text messaging.

RANJANI RAMESH - Ranjani Ramesh is a lecturer in the English Language Center. She has an M.A in Linguistics and Literature from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), and a Dip TESOL from Trinity College, London. She has over 19 yrs experience in teaching English at the tertiary level, 14 of them in the Middle East, in Oman and in UAE. She has taught various nationalities a variety of programs in ESL. Her previous work environments were at The American College of Dubai and as Head of Academics at the University of London affiliate centre in Knowledge Village. Her areas of interests are in using learner management systems in language learning, teacher beliefs in second language acquisition, leadership in teaching, and motivation in language learning. She has presented several in house papers as well as at a TESOLARABIA SIG conference.

Anjum Azeez - Anjum Azeez is a lecturer in the English Language Department at Al Ghurair University. Having 10 years experience in teaching, she has adopted various methodologies in improving the reading skills and training the students in communication. She has her M.A in English language and literature where Phonetics was one of her major subjects. Dr.Albert Memorial Award and a Gold Medal were awarded to her for her Academic Excellency in M.A in Loyola College. She worked in Skyline University College Sharjah for 6 years, teaching various general education courses and trained foundation students with innovative skills. She also worked in Emirates Institute of Banking and Financial Studies in Sharjah as English lecturer, teaching the employees of various banks of U. A.E.

ANASTASIA J. KHAWAJA - Anastasia has a Masters degree in Multilingual/Multicultural Education in 2007. She began her PhD in Second Language Acquisition and Psycholinguistics also at Florida State and plans to complete it in another university in the near future. She started her teaching career in elementary and high school and after completing her masters, taught at Florida State in the Center for Intensive English Studies and for the Spanish department. In addition to teaching in the US, she has taught in Peru and South Korea. She speaks Spanish and is currently a student in Arabic. She looks at second language study from a psycholinguistic perspective and is currently researching English composition revision strategies in peer and self review practices with Arabic speakers..