Date: Wednesday, 8 September 2021
Online via Zoom
Time: 9:15 am – 12:30 pm
The majority of learners at UM are undertaking their studies in a second or foreign language, which presents unique challenges. Increasing one’s awareness of language learning issues, effective teaching strategies and approaches, and the technological tools available can benefit language learners across disciplines. In this half-day event, experts and practitioners will discuss issue relating to learners in an English medium environment and develop approaches to support learners.
Attendance in all sessions is equivalent to 3 hours of professional development.
Target audience: UM Academic Staff and Teaching Assistants
Programme Rundown
9:15 am – 9:30 am Opening Remarks
DCTLE Prof. Katrine Wong
9:30 am – 10:45 am Keynote
Students in Transition: Myths and Reality about English-medium InstructionProf. Howard Brown, University of Niigata Prefecture
This session will focus on the idea of English-medium instruction (EMI) from the students’ point of view. I will introduce research from around the world on the challenges EMI students face and the strategies they employ as they transition from learning English to learning in English. We will learn about the difficulties students face with overall language proficiency and the specific challenges they have with reading, writing, speaking, and listening in an EMI classroom. Then, we will work together to explore possible solutions and strategies faculty members can adopt to help students facing this difficult challenge.
Break
10:50 am – 11:30 am Forum: Creating conducive learning environments at UM
Prof. Nevia DOLCINI (FAH)
Prof. Terence POON (FHS)
Ms. Ellen Yixuan JIA (FSS)
Mr. Callus Aolei CHEN (FST)
Moderated by
Katherine CHEN (FAH-ELC)
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Teaching with Moodle: Strategies and Features That You Need to Know
Dr. Alice LEE (FAH-ELC)
Dr. Chris Fulton (CTLE)
About the Keynote Speaker
Prof. Howard Brown is a professor and Chair of the Department of International Studies and Regional Development at the University of Niigata Prefecture in Japan. He has been researching EMI-related issues, especially meso-level implementation approaches, for more than 10 years. He is co-editor of the book English-medium Instruction in Japanese Higher Education and a series editor for the Routledge Focus series English Medium Instruction in Higher Education.
