Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

21st Century Teaching and the Global Scale of English

  At a webinar organized by the Language Research Center on February 24, 2021, Ms. Arshi Khatoon presented her topic: 21st Century Teaching and the Global Scale of English. She put emphasis on the dynamics of the most modern concepts of learning and teaching and its proper implementation to have better learning outcomes.   Ms. Khatoon, first, stated the fact that in this global and interconnected world, all learners need new skills and knowledge to be successful in their lives. 21st-century skills are essential for the fulfillment of such success, she added. She quoted David Nunan, "The Global Scale of English represents the most significant advance in performance-based approaches to language learning, teaching and assessment since the development of the Common European Framework of Reference".   Teachers, Ms. Khatoon, said, can use the global scale of English to guide their students properly. The teachers first ask themselves how good their English is, whether they are progressing and what they need to do next. To answer these questions, both teachers and students need to follow the steps of the English learning ecosystem. A teacher should know a clear definition of a particular level of proficiency, alignment between the learning materials and the 'levels' of definitions, and have tacit knowledge of assessment tests designed to profile learners' proficiency across the four basic skills. The Global Scale of English, Ms. Khatoon explained, is an accurate, standardized scale that measures English language proficiency. Unlike other frameworks, this particular scale identifies what a learner can do at each point on the scale across the four skills. The purpose of the scale, she said, is designed to motivate learners.   She focused on Learning and Innovation Skills that comprise 4Cs – Critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. These skills help students thrive in their working lives. These 4Cs help students have opportunities in advance to develop basic skills or foundation knowledge. They also ensure that students have proper academic, social-emotional, and workforce skills to be successful.   The key elements of 21st-century learning help students prepare for their future jobs independently. She, therefore, emphasized that lessons should be designed according to the 21st-century theme.   Ms. Khatoon concluded that students need the ability to think critically and creatively, collaborate with others and communicate clearly.   The webinar was a great success with active participation from students and faculty members of the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs. Date: 2-25-2021 Source: Mohammad Adil Siddique
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FLT Delivers In-Service Professional Development for MOE Teachers

  The Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education has recently collaborated with the Faculty of Languages and Translation to deliver the 2nd annual 4-week intensive English language course designed for Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers.   With this program, FLT and Al Khaleej Training and Education teachers provided English language instruction to nearly 90 public school teachers at the primary, secondary, and high school levels. The purpose of the program was to deliver an English language refresher course to public school teachers. The curriculum was geared to both beginners and those expecting to take the IELTS exam in the near future.   This program was sponsored by the Vice Presidency of Academic Affairs, Faculty of Languages and Translation Dean, Dr. Abdullah Al-Melhi, and Dean of Community Service and Continuing Education, Dr. Omar Alwan Aqeel. ELC Director, Fahad Al-Shehri, supervised operations under the tutelage of Vice Dean of Academic Affairs, Dr. Yahya Asiri.   After passing an entrance exam, governed by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), nearly 90 students joined one of four different groups reflecting their English language proficiency.   Vice Rector of Academic Development and Quality, Dr. Merzin Al-Shahrani, attended the opening ceremony. He congratulated the participants and thanked the faculty and staff who made the program possible. "I congratulate all of you attending this program. You have wonderful instructors that I am sure you will learn a lot from. This 2nd annual program will be even better than the first, and we hope to expand and improve the effort each succeeding year," he said.   Representing the Faculty of Languages and Translation were Hassan Costello and Dr. Michael Hadzantonis. Representing Al Khaleej Training and Education were Bryan Bell and Rocio Munoz.   The Deanship of Community Service and Continuing Education recognizes the importance of this program and is committed to its continued success. Dean Aqeel explained that education should be a lifelong endeavor, even for teachers.   King Khalid University is proud to partner with the National Center for Educational Professional Development (NCEPD) and other public institutions for the benefit of our citizenry at the local, regional, and national levels. The Faculty of Languages and Translation is pleased to participate in all public service and other outreach efforts. Date: 8/25/2019 Source: Faculty of Languages and Translation
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