Language experts discuss new techniques at KAU

JEDDAH: The English Language Institute (ELI) at King Abdulaziz University with campuses in Sharafia and Al-Salama in Jeddah held the ELI Annual Training Day at King Faisal Convention Center with more than 250 participants.
A galaxy of professionals presented a number of topics in the field of English as a foreign language (EFL) under the supervision of Dr. Dawla Al-Amri, vice dean of the ELI Women’s Colleges. The event was organized and coordinated by Dr. Tahany Al-Baiz, head of professional development and graduate studies units, and the organizing team, led by Salwa Ali, the event coordinator.
The program was honored by the presence of Dr. Hana Alnuaim, dean of KAU Women’s Campuses, then initiated with Dr. Norah Al-Malki’s presentation of the Holodecks Project whose application is extended to the use of cyberspace as opposed to traditional forms of teaching through poems and drama.
Bahiya Kashghari offered a blended learning model to teach EFL communication, listening and speaking skills. This is one of the prominent studies on blended learning at KAU.
The often neglected area of teaching pronunciation in English language classrooms was presented by Ashjan Allhedan with tips and techniques through the communicative approach.
Dr. Manal Qutub’s study aims to establish a research-based framework for developing the basic academic competencies that focuses on the core, academic survival-level skills students need to be successful in their university work.
The difficulties of getting a research paper published were discussed by Misbah Khan whose workshop outlined the process of publishing research papers in journals in order to provide early-stage researchers with a handy introduction to essential issues.
Masuda Wardak held forth on the perceived obstacles of implementing the Learning Management System (LMS) including the importance of ensuring a smooth delivery of the system and instructors’ skills and competence at employing technology.
The use of multimedia for enhancing the proficiency of weak students in particular in the complex area of grammar was presented by Rabab Qaissieh. Her workshop highlighted the potential of the webcam to enhance the learning of grammar by EFL/ESL learners.
Syeda Saima Bukhari identified the attitudes of adult learners toward second language acquisition. The study provides an insight into the adult learner’s major characteristics and certain developed attitudes that affect language learning.
A qualitative-quantitative study presented by Shuruq Alsubaie presented elicitation techniques, an important feature of EFL classroom discourse.
Naila Masud dwelt on modern teaching methodologies and current trends in ESL/EFL teaching while Nadia Junaid discussed corpus-based L2 teaching and learning.
Time management, an important feature of English language teaching, was discussed by Sara Ansari, while Suad Abdullah Alharthi’s workshop focused on integrating skills and promoting critical thinking through Socratic Seminaring.
Professional development events are an integral part of teacher development at the English Language Institute at the Women’s College Campuses and are actively promoted and supported by the ELI management with a view to provide quality teaching and updated methodologies to students who stand to gain from a wholesome English teaching/learning experience.