eng booklet 22 march

pForuongdraatimons

gateway to success

The English Language Center’s First International Conference
March 31st and April 1st 2018

Foundation Programs in Higher Education:

Gateway to Success

Success
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Fporuongdraatimons

gateway to success

Foundation Programs in Higher Education

Gateway to Success

Content

A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR
ABOUT ELC
FOUNDATION PROGRAMS IN HIGHER EDUCATION:
GATEWAY TOSUCCESS
KEYNOTES
CONFERENCE PROGRAME
ABSTRACTS
SPONSORS

A Word from the President

The University of Bahrain as the national university plays an important role in
meeting the needs of a new generation of learners, aspiring to thrive and contribute
to increasingly interconnected world. This provides new challenges for academics
who must constantly develop and innovate to meet the changing needs of academia
and millennial learners.
As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, our clear focus is to deliver the following:

▪ exceptional educational experience for students
▪ an environment that stimulates creativity, innovation and enterprise
▪ a setting that contributes to the economic growth and development of
Bahrain
▪ an integrated approach with industry and wider partners to develop
industry relevant research
▪ rewards for student excellence
▪ world-class campus that is technology-led and environmentally friendly

Already our progress in 2017 has exceeded expectations. The quality of our teaching
has been recognized by becoming the only university in the MENA region to be
named as a global partner of the Higher Education Academy (UK). In terms of
research, UOB was recently one of only six successful Gulf universities out of 172
that applied for grant funding from the UK government. The funding will strengthen
scientific ties between the UK and the Gulf region in order to find solutions to shared
global challenges. Finally, our research excellence and expertise in the critical areas
of water security, renewable energy and food security has led us to embark on long
term research projects with University of Oxford, Shanghai University, Loughborough
University and Aston University, some of the leading universities in the world which
we hope will lead to breakthrough solutions.

Prof. Riyad Y Hamzah
President of the University of Bahrain

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A Word from the Director

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On behalf of the organizing committee, I am honored and delighted
to welcome you to the 1st International Conference on Foundation
Programs at Art Rotana Hotel, Amwaj, Kingdom of Bahrain.
The theme of this conference “Foundation Programs in Higher
Education: Gateway to Success” is an excellent opportunity for
individuals, institutions and decision makers involved in the design and
execution of foundation programs to learn about the challenges facing
practitioners in this area. The conference will feature a highly interactive
and stimulating program including plenary sessions, workshops and
parallel sessions. Therefore, we hope that it will provide the ideal
environment to stimulate ideas and establish collaborations as well as
initiate intense discussions. In addition to exchanging views and sharing
experiences in the field, the conference also strives to offer extended
networking opportunities among delegates to meet and interact with
leading experts.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for attending our 1st International
Conference. Special thanks are also due to the organizing committee
who has worked extremely hard for the details of important aspects of
the conference program. I gratefully acknowledge all their great efforts.
I wish you all an enjoyable and stimulating conference and also a
relaxing stay in our spectacular and beautiful country.

Dr. Ghada Ahmed Jasim
Director, English Language Center

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About ELC

The English Language Center(ELC) at the University of Bahrain has a
32-year history of providing language learning and support to newly
admitted students and other integrated programs. Through the
Orientation English Program, the ELC is tasked to raise the students’
standard of English. The University of Bahrain considers the Orientation
English Program as one of the institution’s pillars for two key reasons;
the university delivers its mainstream programs in English and students
proficiency of the language is vital for their professional success.

Today, the ELC has flourished through a team of about 50 dedicated
and dynamic ELT educators. They provide students with high-quality
instruction in learning the English Language. In addition to the emphasis
on sound pedagogy in classroom instruction, the ELC has embraced the
effective use of technology to enhance teaching and learning experience.
This approach is adopted to mo tivate students of digital age and promote
the possibility for remote autonomous learning by students at their own

Succpace.

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Vision To provide an educational environment for Orientation students

and all other integrated programs so that the students can develop their level
of English through the use of best practices and educational strategies. The
ELC seeks recognition at the international level through excellence in quality
assurance and professional accreditation by academic agencies.

Mission To instruct the students, and to enhance and develop their

English language ability to the required level of other colleges through
blended learning strategies and to develop their character and skills, and to
motivate them to participate in extra-curricular activities as autonomous
learners.

Objectives
▪ The goals of the Orientation English program were drafted to improve
students’ English language skills and raise their proficiency level to
acceptable international standards in the TOEFL and IELTS exams.

▪ To prepare students psychologically, socially and academically so they
can enroll in a variety of programs at the university.

▪ To develop students’ study skills, research skills and critical thinking
capabilities through cooperation with cross-curricular and interdiscipli-
nary programs at the university.

▪ To enable students to utilize technology in distance learning and online
education.

▪ To enhance the students’ interests and talents through participation
in extracurricular activities, such as contests, competitions, creative

cesswriting,drama,speech,debates,actingetc.
▪ To inform students about the dangers of plagiarism and the ways to
avoid it.

▪ To develop students’ skills and learning strategies to become independ-
ent, self-motivated and life-long learners.

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Foundation
Programs in
Higher Education:
Gateway to
Success
international conference “Foundation
Educational institutions play a Programs in Higher Education:
proactive role not only in the transfer Gateway to Success” will shed light
of knowledge and ethics, but also in on the soft (transferable) skills and
the advancement and empowerment competencies university students
of societies. Foundation programs need to succeed in the college
within the framework of their classroom. It will also present the
respective universities represent different trends affecting the design
a practical dimension for the role and execution of these programs, as
of educational institutions and are well as the opportunities offered by
shaped and designed according to related trends to improve foundation
the needs and challenges of the time. programs in order to prepare students
Hence, the foundation program is for the different majors at university
considered a significant phase in level. In addition, the Conference will
the lives of students and a difficult explore links between foundation
challenge for most of them, as it is programs and public education,
a transitional period from school to higher education through the
college, including the atmosphere, exchange of experience and teaching
regulations, methods of assessment, best practices.
etc.
The English Language Center’s first

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IMAGE

IMAGE

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Our Keynotes

Charles Hall is an Associate Professor of English
at Alfaisal University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His
work intertwines three areas of interest: TEFL
(Teaching English as a Foreign Language), ESP
(English for Specific Purposes) - especially law
and medicine -, and teacher training. He has
taught or lectured in over 40 countries, including
Iraq, South Sudan, Yemen, and Syria. He is the
author or co-author of several texts and articles
including the recently published Phonetics, Phonology & Pronunciation
for the Language Classroom from Palgrave. He has worked in or with
IEPs since 1976.

Rachel Wicaksono is Head of the School
of Languages and Linguistics at York St John
University in the UK. After graduating from Oxford
University with a degree in English Language
and Literature, Rachel trained to teach English
to speakers of other languages and worked as
a teacher, teacher trainer, inspector and school
Principal in India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka,
Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. On
returning to the UK, she joined York St John
aUniversity as a coordinator of the International Foundation Program.
She teaches on the BA English Language and Linguistics, BA TESOL and
MA Applied Linguistics: TESOL, as well as supervising and examining
doctoral students. She has an RSA/UCLES CTEFLA and DTEFLA, and a
MA TESOL and a Doctor in Education from the Institute of Education,
London. She was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship from the
Higher Education Academy.

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Gary Pathare has taught English in the Dubai Men’s College (HCT)
Foundations program since 2001, after ten years’ teaching English and
teacher training in Spain. His main professional interest is in developing
and sharing new teaching approaches and materials to support them;
sets of his Foundations materials are used throughout the 17-campus
HCT college system. Gary is author of many ELT course books, including
Headway Academic Skills, Headway Plus and Milestones B1 and B2
(Oxford University Press), Unlock Basic Literacy (Cambridge University
Press), and Skillful 4 (MacMillan), and he has published articles on
teaching writing, reading, and pedagogical uses of IT. He is a winner of
the UAE IT Challenge for tertiary teacher’s projects, and has extensive
experience as an IELTS and Cambridge examiner, IDP consultant, and
exam item writer for the UAE national exam body and the British Council
APTIS. Gary has an M.Ed. (TESOL) from Newcastle, with a dissertation
focus on teaching spelling to Arabic L1 Foundations students, a Trinity
Licentiate Diploma in TESOL, and a degree in law.

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Conference Program

March 31st,2018

8:00 am – Registration and Badge Collection
9:30 am
Art Rotana Exhibition Entrance

9:30 am – Opening Ceremony by
10:00 am The President of the University of Bahrain

H. E. Prof. Riyad Y Hamza

English Language Center Director

Dr Ghada Ahmed

Ballroom II

10:00 am – Keynote Speaker Address I
11:00 am Ballroom II

11:00 am – Break / Book Exhibition
11:30 am Art Rotana Exhibition Entrance

ESP Programs

12:15 am – Integrating Academic Bridging the Gap
12:45 pm English Teaching into Mr. Ebrahim Rajab
Royal College of Surgeons in
Medical Foundation Ireland
Curriculum
Mr. Omar N’Shea,
University of Malta

Ballroom I Convention Center

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12:45 pm – Lunch Break
2:00 pm
Choices Terrace

2:00 pm - Best Practices in Foundation Programs
2:30 pm
A case study on Bahrain Challenges Faced by Some
Polytechnic’s Foundation Foundation Students at
Programme review Bahrain Teachers College
in Acquiring Reading and
Ms. Carolyn Doyle, Writing Skills
Bahrain Polytechnic Dr.Shaban Aldabbus,
Ballroom I Bahrain Teachers College

Convention Center

2:30 pm – Keynote Speaker Address I
3:30 pm Ballroom II

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Conference Program

April 1st,2018

9:00 am – Keynote Speaker Address III
10:00 am Ballroom II

10:15 am – National Geographic Learning Workshops
11:15 am
Creative Writing Making Authentic Material
Ms. Emma Pathare , Accessible
NGL Ms. Anna Hasper, NGL

Convention Center

Ballroom I

11:15 am – Break /Exhibition
12:00 pm

Art Rotana Exhibition Entrance

12:00 pm – Language Teaching and Learning
12:30 pm The stairway from
knowledge to Sheltered Instruction For
English Teaching (SIOP)
evaluation: Integrating
critical thinking skills Ms. Norhan Ibrahim, Royal
to language instruction University for Women ,
Ms. Sevgi CAN , Koc
University, Istanbul

Ballroom I

Convention Center

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12:30 pm – University of Bahrain Foundation Program
1:00 pm The New Foundation
Programme at the
University of Bahrain –
Connecting the Dots

Microsoft Session Ms.Biljana Davceva &
Mr. Aboubaker Alhitty,
University of Bahrain

Ballroom I Convention Center

1:00 pm – Lunch Break
2:00 pm
2:00 pm – 2:30 Ballroom III
pm Panel Discussion

Ballroom II

2:30 pm – 3:00 Closing and Certificates
pm

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Presenters

Kate Tindle

‘My students just don’t read’
Engaging students in extensive reading

Extensive reading (ER) is an essential part of any language program that
aims to help L2 students develop into fluent readers. Among other benefits,
there is mounting evidence to show that reading a lot over a sustained
period results in improved reading comprehension (Grabe, 2009). However,
it can be challenging for teachers to motivate students to read extensively,
particularly when the students do not read regularly in their L1. This
presentation will outline some of the reasons why it is vital for our students
to read more, and by reflecting on the research and the experience gained
from implementing an extensive reading program, will suggest ways to make
ER work in the classroom, even with reluctant readers.

Anthony Gurr

‘Using Meaningful Technology in the ELT Classroom’

We are now 18 years into the 21st Century and today’s teachers are faced
with the challenge of moving from simply ‘using edtech tools and toys’ to
seriously entering the ‘Age of Technology-enabled Teaching’.
In his talk / workshop, Tony will explore what this means for the so-called
‘21st century teacher’ and, perhaps more importantly, the ‘20th century
teacher’ who is looking to use technology to meaningfully expand and
improve student learning. He will also argue that it is not a question of
teachers trying to ‘compete’ with the ever-improving technology that we will
see over the next few years but rather how we work with selected aspects of
that technology as human beings and principled, caring educators that will
ultimately make the real difference to our students.

Omar N’Shea

‘Integrating Academic English Teaching into Medical Foundation
Curriculum’

Most textbooks available for tutors and learners from mainstream and
specialised publishers target already-qualified physicians, nurses, and other
health workers who need to practice their professional skills in an English
language environment. This leaves out a large segment of the EFL market,
namely students on pre-tertiary foundation programmes who wish to
study Medicine and Surgery at undergraduate level and who have little to
no experience in dealing with discipline-specific textbooks, peer-reviewed
journal articles, long essay writing, lectures, and so on. Based on an
assessment and a mixed body of pre-existing EFL textbook market and
bespoke materials based on available teaching documents, it was clear that
they don’t effectively prepare for success in their undergraduate studies.
During follow-up feedback sessions, the learners themselves reported a
low-degree of engagement stating, in most cases, that they felt the materials
were not relevant to the immediate and long-term academic needs.

Anna Hasper

‘Making authentic materials accessible’

Adult learners need relevant input that inspires, educates and motivates,
especially when it comes to developing reading skills. However, when teaching
reading we commonly begin with the text and at times students don’t easily
identify with authentic content. In this session we will look at how we can
facilitate the reading process by starting from the students’ own reactions
and experiences. This interactive session will explore how personalization
can help to explore authentic materials and deliver meaningful lessons to
your learners.

Presenters

Shaban Aldabbus

‘Challenges Faced by Some Foundation Students at Bahrain Teachers
College in Acquiring Reading and Writing Skills’

We are now 18 years into the 21st Century and today’s teachers are faced
with the challenge of moving from simply ‘using edtech tools and toys’ to
seriously entering the ‘Age of Technology-enabled Teaching’.
In his talk / workshop, Tony will explore what this means for the so-called
‘21st century teacher’ and, perhaps more importantly, the ‘20th century
teacher’ who is looking to use technology to meaningfully expand and
improve student learning. He will also argue that it is not a question of
teachers trying to ‘compete’ with the ever-improving technology that we will
see over the next few years but rather how we work with selected aspects of
that technology as human beings and principled, caring educators that will
ultimately make the real difference to our students.

Ms.Biljana Davceva & Mr. Aboubaker Alhitty

‘The New Foundation Programme at the University of Bahrain –
Connecting the Dots’

This presentation aims to shed some light on the process of designing,
establishing and implementing the English language component of the new
Foundation Programme at the University of Bahrain. It aims to give insight into
the experiences of the Foundation Programme committee that was involved
in conceptualising, designing and implementing the new programme.

Carolyn Doyle

‘A case study on Bahrain Polytechnic’s Foundation Programme
review’

A gap analysis of students’ educational backgrounds and the requirements
of degree programs was undertaken. This gap is the mandate of the
Foundation Program and ensures that the program is fully relevant to its
stakeholders. Data analysis, interviews and a series of focus groups with
stakeholders provided information that led to affirmation of parts of the
program, reconfiguration of others and an opportunity to use externally
benchmarked exit examinations for some courses. Core elements of
the program are unchanged and students will continue to study English,
Mathematics, ICT and study skills but the review has initiated changes in
delivery.

Emma Pathare

‘Creative writing’

We have many stories to tell, yet it is sometimes difficult to know where to
begin. Exploring the power of images as a story-telling tool can help to open
the door to creativity. This session will provide an overview of techniques for
story development and focus on specific examples with photos from the Life
as Lived Photographic Project.
The session will finish with the launch of the University of Bahrain National
Geographic Learning Creative Writing Competition, an opportunity for
everyone to open the door to their own creativity.



Presenters

Ebrahim Rajab

‘Bridging the Gap’

This stemmed from research at RCSI Bahrain and the wider literature
on transnational education [1].Arabic speaking foundation year medical
students must not only transition to learning medicine in English, but
they must also adapt to new ways of learning, knowing and being;
redefining academic and social relationships; moving into new spaces. We
have developed four recommendations for local Arab students entering
foundation year of transnational medicine education ‘at home’: (i) early
contact, intervention and tracking; (ii) extend student-centered teaching,
support development of independent learning skills and use of interactive
technology enhanced learning; (iii) central location of student learning
experience through all operations; (iv) focus on the advantages of student
experience in a transnational campus, and promote the positive use of
English amongst the local student population during recruitment, admission
and communications.

Norhan Ahmed

‘SIOP’

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) was developed to
make content material more comprehensible for language learners. SIOP
has 8 components and 30 features that can assist in building a successful
language classes.

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