A Model for Implementing Academic English Lessons: Anadolu University Case

Year 2018, Volume: 8 Issue: 1, 151 - 170, 13.02.2018

Belgin Aydın İlknur İstifçi

Abstract

This study aims to
provide a model used by Modern Languages Department of Anadolu University
School of Foreign Languages, in order to implement Academic English courses as
a result of a curriculum renewal project started in the 2014-2015 Academic
Year. The curriculum renewal process started with the implementation of the
needs analysis process that arose out of the problems experienced in the
existing system. After gathering the opinions of the various stakeholders and
identifying the needs of the learners regarding learning English at their
departments, Academic English lessons were inserted into the programs as
elective courses. Academic English lessons were designed to be implemented at 6
different proficiency levels (from A2 to B2+) with varying contents determined
considering the needs of the learners according to their academic fields. This
paper will explain the whole curriculum renewal process including how the
syllabi, the materials and the evaluation procedures were determined,
implemented and revisited based on the feedback gathered from the learners and
the teachers. Academic English lessons’ addressing students’ needs revealed
increase both in the teachers’ and the students’ motivation level as well as
facilitating cooperation between language teachers and content teachers.

Keywords

Academic English, curriculum renewal, needs analysis, cooperation between language and content teachers

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