scholarly journals The Cara Syria programme – combining teaching of English for Academic Purposes and academic and research skills development

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-172
Author(s):  
Sarah Brewer ◽  
Karin Whiteside

AbstractThe Cara Syria Programme has been developed to support Syrian academics who have had abandon their academic positions due to the conflict in Syria and who have seen their careers compromised as a result. The Programme offers a means to re-establish their academic identities and develop new skills through participation in the learning activities and workshops provided on the Programme itself and through potential research collaborations with academics in universities in the UK. A key element is the training in English for Academic Purposes (EAP), which is delivered in weekly online lessons and intensive language workshops in Turkey. Both the online teaching and the workshops are staffed by volunteers working in language teaching and specifically in English for Academic Purposes. One of the core principles of this teaching is to pitch content in a way that is intellectually motivating and relevant in terms of the participants’ academic identities, but scaffolded to take into account language proficiency levels, which can be as low as CEFR A1. Over the last eighteen months the technology, administrative structures, and language materials suitable for learners at all levels between A1 and C1 have been developed, and the process mapped to ensure sustainability.

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Gregory Strong

Japanese universities are increasing their course offerings through English-medium instruction (EMI) and even full-degree English-taught programs (ETP), but language proficiency and the integration of language support courses and EMI classes remain challenges. English for academic purposes (EAP) courses might be used as a bridge to EMI coursework just as they assist international students coming to study in the UK. UK EAP programs are explored through statistics on international students, a description of testing and degree entry language requirements, and semi-structured interviews with 10 EAP program directors and course leaders who outline program funding and autonomy; program perception by university communities; teachers, course materials, goals, and objectives; program and teacher evaluation; teacher support and faculty development. 日本の大学では、教授言語としての英語(EMI: English as a Medium for Instruction)の授業や、すべての単位を英語で修得するプログラム(ETP: English-Taught Programs)が増えてきているので、英語能力測定試験や学術目的のための英語(EAP: English for Academic Purposes)を大学の入学試験に利用するという、より伝統的なアプローチを考察することは有益である。英国におけるEAPプログラムが、そのモデルとして役立つと思われる。本論では、EAPプログラムを次の点から考察する。まず、英国における留学生の試験や入学要件の統計について述べる。次に、プログラムディレクターやコースリーダーとの(臨機応変に質問を変える)半構造化面接のデータについて述べる。前述の両者は、プログラムの資金と自治、大学コミュニティーによるプログラムの認知、教員・教科書・目的、プログラムと教員の評価、教員支援と専門能力の育成などを意図する。さらに、日本の学習課程が本アプローチを採用する方法を探るための提案を行う。


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8642
Author(s):  
Lucas Kohnke ◽  
Andrew Jarvis

COVID-19 and the shift to online teaching necessitated a change in approach for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) teachers in preparing their students for university studies. This study explored how EAP instructors coped with and adapted their provision for emergency remote teaching. The study was conducted at an English-medium university in Hong Kong and a qualitative case study approach was adopted. The results revealed two overarching themes of opportunity and challenge. While the sudden shift to online teaching forced innovation and fostered collaborative learning and feedback, teachers experienced difficulties in communicating with students and monitoring their learning. The study voices teacher perspectives in delivering EAP courses online and highlights important implications for the successful delivery of future online EAP provisions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Hasselberg ◽  
K. H. Holgersen ◽  
G. M. Uverud ◽  
J. Siqveland ◽  
B. Lloyd-Evans ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Crisis resolution teams (CRTs) are specialized multidisciplinary teams intended to provide assessment and short-term outpatient or home treatment as an alternative to hospital admission for people experiencing a mental health crisis. In Norway, CRTs have been established within mental health services throughout the country, but their fidelity to an evidence-based model for CRTs has been unknown. Methods We assessed fidelity to the evidence-based CRT model for 28 CRTs, using the CORE Crisis Resolution Team Fidelity Scale Version 2, a tool developed and first applied in the UK to measure adherence to a model of optimal CRT practice. The assessments were completed by evaluation teams based on written information, interviews, and review of patient records during a one-day visit with each CRT. Results The fidelity scale was applicable for assessing fidelity of Norwegian CRTs to the CRT model. On a scale 1 to 5, the mean fidelity score was low (2.75) and with a moderate variation of fidelity across the teams. The CRTs had highest scores on the content and delivery of care subscale, and lowest on the location and timing of care subscale. Scores were high on items measuring comprehensive assessment, psychological interventions, visit length, service users’ choice of location, and of type of support. However, scores were low on opening hours, gatekeeping acute psychiatric beds, facilitating early hospital discharge, intensity of contact, providing medication, and providing practical support. Conclusions The CORE CRT Fidelity Scale was applicable and relevant to assessment of Norwegian CRTs and may be used to guide further development in clinical practice and research. Lower fidelity and differences in fidelity patterns compared to the UK teams may indicate that Norwegian teams are more focused on early interventions to a broader patient group and less on avoiding acute inpatient admissions for patients with severe mental illness.


Societies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 75
Author(s):  
Zeynep Correia

Airports are located at the core of the production process, but can they also be where the “revolutionary subject” is hidden? We know what airports stand for nowadays, but have we pushed for what they could possibly stand for? Can airports, as a form of urban technology, be reimagined beyond their current roles of a “space technology nexus” driving capital movement? Can we imagine, idealize, and locate them somewhere else in a period dominated by the economy of time, where speed and accessibility matter the most? In this framework, this provocative essay aims to frame airports as a protest and public expression venue. Drawing inspiration from recent examples, such as the Stansted Airport protests in the UK, the Occupy Airports protests that occurred all around the United States, and touching upon the divergent example of Turkey’s 15th of July night protests in 2016, I provide a glimpse of an alternative prospect for this key urban infrastructure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 68-77
Author(s):  
Nashruddin Nashruddin ◽  
Fiptar Abdi Alam

Covid-19 pandemic condition demands the learning activities to be conducted online. The current study aims to investigate the types of humor inserted by the teacher in the EFL online teaching-learning activities, and students� responses toward the teacher�s humor. The participants of this descriptive qualitative research are an EFL teacher and 29 students of the 2nd grade at SMA Muhammadiyah Barru. To collect data about the types of humor used by the teacher, the researchers directly observe the online learning activities conducted by the teacher and his students. For gaining the deepest data about students� responses toward the teacher�s humor, the researchers randomly interview 10 from those 29 students. The researchers found that in the online teaching-learning activities, the teacher inserted humorous words that based on the theory were classified into pun fan, joke, innuendo, malapropism, and absurdity. Besides that, the researchers also found new types of humor used by the teacher, which were then named as local humor and plesetan humor. From the interview result, it is found students� responses towards the teacher�s humor indicate that humor maintains students� focus in learning activities, stimulates students to solve problems quickly, and keeps students� self-confidence in online learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
pp. 183-186
Author(s):  
Malanashita Ganeson ◽  
Sasikala Devi Amirthalingam ◽  
Kwa Siew Kim

The Malaysian government’s ongoing movement control order (MCO) to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread, has disrupted the teaching and learning (T&L) activities of higher education institutions in the country. This paper seeks to outline the steps taken by the Department of Family Medicine of the International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia, to adapt its online teaching and learning activities. The five tips are: i) understand how to use online T&L platforms; ii) teachers should create multiple communication channels; iii) ensure attendance is captured; iv) enhance the online T&L experience and v) conduct online formative assessments.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vic Lally ◽  
Madeleine Sclater ◽  
Ken Brown

This paper reflects on some of the themes emerging from a consideration of recent research at the nexus of technologies, learning and culture. The authors comment on the expansive nature of the concept of learning spaces in papers featuring an investigation of technology enhanced learning (TEL) and communication design studios in the UK and Australia, the use of interdisciplinary research collaborations to develop novel implementations of TEL learning spaces, and the challenges of developing an e-university in Malawi. They also examine a comparative study focused on classroom-based learning spaces augmented by computer-based assessment technologies, and the role of TEL both within and in response to protests at universities in South Africa. Massive open online courses are then considered as distinctive educational designs that may offer diverse student experiences, either formal or informal. The next emerging theme considers the sources of tension and richness arising from the widely divergent values that can be embedded in TEL. This is followed by consideration of infrastructural issues and the technologies–learning–culture nexus, followed by the use of theory in TEL work, leading to interdisciplinary theory-informed TEL projects that may be beneficial in the wider project of reimagining higher education for work and study. Finally, the paper examines the theme of mobile TEL and the hegemonic issues surrounding the building of sustainable and authentic foundations for learning with mobiles in the globalised South. The theme points to the methodologically challenging and problematic aspects of this hegemonic analysis and considers how the arguments may be further developed.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105678792110423
Author(s):  
Kuruppu Achchige Dulani Daminda Kuruppu

The objective of this study was to outline the education reform approaches which could implement during online teaching and learning activities. The approaches consisted with online teaching, online mentoring /student induction programmes, online examinations and online guest lectures/webinars. The approaches practiced, were discussed in activity 1 to 7 in the methodology section. In addition, the outcome assessed using 4Rs model for reflection and PDCA cycle at the results and discussion section. In conclusion, this study showed that the approaches implemented assist to improve the interaction of the students.


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