ENHANCING FOREIGN LANGUAGE- MEDIUM PROGRAMMES IN HIGHER EDUCATION

A PROJECT REPORT

ANNA ZELENKOVÁ - MÁRIA SPIŠIAKOVÁ

Faculty of Economics, MBU in Banská Bystrica

Aim

To introduce the project

„Enhancing

Foreign Language-Medium

Study Programmes at MBU”

– activity: developing professional competences of teachers teaching in these programmes

Project activities

1. Creating new joint-degree study programmes

2. Innovating present courses in foreign languages

3. Teacher training and building a self-study centre for foreign languages

Activity 3

• Aimed at students’ needs

• Satisfying teachers’ needs

To create a space for autonomous learning and improving language and specific-content knowledge

Main prerequisite

Professionally prepared teacher

• Teacher training courses for teachers participating in study programmes in foreign languages (English, German)

Teacher-training

Preparatory phase1. Needs analysis (questionnaire,

180 teachers, language and pedag. needs)

2. Course design Foreign language improvement Pedagogy / methodology Intercultural competence

Realisation phase

4 courses in English, 1 in German

Content:

• language

• pedagogy

• intercultural competence

Topics

• co-operative learing and team work• facilitation of discussion and academic debate• effective questions supporting learning• learning by solving problems and by tasks• providing feedback• understandig intercultural differences • classroom management in a English • alternative assessment methods

Language competence

• Use of English in the teaching process and academic situations

• Presenting and communicating views and opinions

• Communicating in intercultural environment

Pedagogic competence

• Based on constructivist theory of learning

• Learning theories (Gardner’s model)• Innovative methodology (learner- and

learning-centred)• Development of student’s autonomy (self-

study)• Innovation of teaching materials

Intercultural competence

• understanding cultural differences and cultural diversity

• cultural values and beliefs that influence behaviour

• body language across cultures

• culture in the classroom

Trainers´experience

Teachers appreciated:

• Acquired knowledge about innovative methodology by practical applications of methods

• Approaches to syllabus design:

defining learning outcomes

communication learning outcomes

monitoring and assessment

practical classroom management

Trainers´experience

Teachers appreciated:

• importance of students´reflection on the ways of learning

• knowledge about learning theories and learning styles (Gardner´s multiple intelligences theory)

• being in the role of learners

Contribution to the strategic goal of the project• changes in and restructuralisation of curricula

• improved quality of higher education

Higher competitiveness of university on the European education market

Thanky you.

Questions?