the two-track theory: fixing arabian english language programs
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THE TWO-TRACK THEORY
Re-tooling the Applied Sciences English Program
Description and Curriculum
The Colleges of Applied Sciences
The Colleges of Applied Sciences
Branch of Ministry of Higher Education
Six Colleges
Business, Communication, Design, Information Technology (Education and Engineering)
Centralized Curriculum
Language of Instruction: English
Accredited by Victoria University (New Zealand)
Applied Sciences Curriculum
Foundation Year
General English
22 hours per week
Enter IELTS 3.0
Exit IELTS 4.5
Math, Islam, Computers
3 Levels (Semesters)
C- Elementary
Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, Grammar
B- Pre-Intermediate
A- Intermediate
C + Study Skills
Applied Sciences Curriculum(Continued)
Year 1 Year 2
Begin Academic Study
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
10 Hours, 2 Semesters
Academic Lexis in Context, Essays, Research, Presentations
Immersed in Major
English for Specific Purposes
8 Hours, 2 Semesters
Specified Lexis & Language Production
End of English Program
Applied Sciences Curriculum(Continued)
Years 4 & 5 Other Features
Full-time Academic Study
No Formal English Support
Assessment Scheme (English)
50% Continuous Assessment, 50% Final Exam
Minimum Grade
50 %: C B A
2.0 GPA (65%)
A Year 1 Year 2
Graduation
Points to Examine
The CAS Curriculum
English Proficiency…
IELTS Assessment & Grades 3.0 to enter Foundation
4.5 to begin Academic Studies
Secondary Exit Exam , notTertiary Entrance Exam Correlate with IELTS? Correlate with MOHE
objectives?
No IELTS after Foundation A Final correlate with IELTS?
What is the real level of English?
Grades vs. Proficiency
Stony Point High School
Grades can be earned without proficiency being reached
Extra-Credit
“Help” from Teacher
Inaccurate, Irrelevant, Incompetent Assessments, Assessors and/or Assessment Makers
…Determines Knowledge and Skill Acquisition
Academic Lecturers
Lower Learning Goals
or
Teach above students
English Teachers
• Students pass but struggle
• Assign essays to students who struggle with basic sentence mechanics they “learned” in previous levels
Is this fair?
Dr. Howard GardnerTheory of Multiple
Intelligences
Professor of Cognition and Education
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Re-defines “intelligence”
Includes All mental and non-mental abilities
Rejects “General Intelligence” (g)
Person with high g excels in all intellectual areas
Theory of Multiple Intelligences
The Multiple Intelligences
1. Visual-spatial
2. Verbal-linguistic
3. Logical- mathematical
4. Bodily-kinesthetic
5. Musical-rhythmic
6. Interpersonal
7. Intrapersonal
8. Naturalistic
9. Existential
A student who learns math easily may not be more intelligent overall than another, because the other may…
…be stronger in another intelligence type
…learn differently.
…excel in another field.
…think on a fundamentally deeper level.
Einstein
The Multiple Intelligences Theoryand the Colleges of Applied Sciences
English Program Academic Subjects
Some will learn: easily
difficultly (differently)
not at all (differently)
≠ predictor of potential in other fields
Linguistic Intelligence… …access to lessons
…exam questions
…chance of success on written assignments…
…despite other relevant strengths.
English is…
…a door that isn’t open for all. …the whale in the bathtub.
The Two-Track Theory
The Two-Track Theory
Given
Linguistic intelligence varies from person to person.
English is:
a resource for continued development.
the means for communication within the international community.- Philosophy and Guidelines for the Omani English Language
School Curriculum (1987)
The Two-Track Theory
Hypothesis
All students can gain knowledge and skills in their own language and culture.
Students can learn English and Western academic norms to facilitate study and communication in a global setting.
English should be studied alongside academic subjects.
The Two-Track Theory at CAS
The Academic Track The English Track
10 semester program
National/Regional language
Typical University Program
10 semester program
7 required courses
Electives/Advanced Courses
Focus on “Real” English Level
Focus on English Proficiency in Major Subject
The Academic Track
Independent Research
Senior Project or Thesis
Internship Program
Introductory
Advanced
Interactive
Learn/Practice Fundamental Concepts, Functions and Terms
Encounter and Developments, Standards and Trends
Related Projects
The English Track
Prepare Students for Casual and Formal Interactions
Memos, CVs, Job Interviews
General English
English for Specific Purposes
English For Academic Purposes
Advanced English (Elective)
International Proficiency Test Preparation
Senior Project or Thesis
Literature, Conversation, Journalism Courses
Specialized Terminology & Communication Styles
Express Knowledge and Practice Skills in English
Facilitate Study, Research and Academic Communication
Western Academic Norms
The English Track - Assessment
Dual Focus Strategy
Proficiency in Core Skills
Reading, Writing, Speaking, Listening, Grammar, Lexis
Proficiency in Major Subject
Tasks and Lexis
Internationally –Recognized Exit Examination
Independent or External Design and/or Grading e.g. Cambridge PET for
Schools
Standards v. Students
Authenticity, Neutrality, Objectivity and Validity
Advantages
Inclusive, Balanced Approach Increase Attainment of
Knowledge and Skills
Increase Attainment of English Continuous English Support
Opportunities for Advanced Students
Ease of pace 10 Semesters
7 Required Courses
Room for repetition
Credibility & Prestige Demonstrable Academic and
English Proficiency
Advanced Projects
International English Language Tests
Develop and Publish Research
Accreditation
How can CAS get accredited with a Two-Track curriculum?
English Language Proficiency Tests
Improved Body of English Language Academic Work
English Language Projects and Theses
Present Curricula and Syllabi of Academic Programs
“Big Picture” Oman/GCC/Arabic Countries:
Independent accreditation associations
Knowledge is Inseparable from Language (Vygotsky)
If this is true, then… …but maybe it isn’t…
…learners can not transmit knowledge and skills to own people. All the more reason to
follow Two-Track curricula
Another solution:
“Hybrid” classes for some courses
Texts in English, Explanations in English
Al-Khwarizmi
Work based on:
Persian & Babylonian Astronomy
Indian Numbers
Greek Mathematics
Printed in Arabic
Work spread West through Latin
Foundation of Modern Algebra
“Al-Khwarizmi” AlgoritmiAlgorithm
Further Research Questions
To what extent are “two-track” curricula already in place?
How pedagogically feasible is the Two-Track Theory in Oman and worldwide?
How practically feasible is the Two-Track Theory in Oman and worldwide?
Gardner’s MI Theory is both widely implemented and contested. What are the implications of this for the Two-Track Theory?
