Page 8 - ELG1601 Jan Issue 432

ELspecialist English
Page 8 January 2016
says the preface of a Mastering the art of language

ll art is quite useless,’
‘Anovel whose protago-
nist had his life transformed by a
portrait. While some agree with Claudia Civinini hears how studying art can boost students’ motivation require a deeper understanding
Oscar Wilde, many would beg to of process and methods within
differ – especially in the educa- as well as benefit their cognitive, literacy and language development the discipline if they are to be
tion sector, where art is valued as used sensibly’, observing that
a tool to foster critical thinking, sometimes students display a
literacy and language learning. as an awareness of subject-spe- lack of confidence in using qual-
Art is also perceived by cific language, terminology and itative and descriptive language.
students and teachers as an expression is not at all common Examples of tasks and issues
interesting subject which can in student vocabulary as they of course design. The University
do wonders for student engage- enter higher education.’ of the Arts London stated that
ment. However, is added To investigate the relation- one of the biggest challenges is to
motivation the only value that ship between language and art, strike a balance between ‘the level
art brings to the classroom? If we looked at some of the pro- of interest and specialist con-
so, then any other subject would grammes on offer in language tent of materials for all students
do the trick – as long as stu- schools and universities which whilst simultaneously addressing
dents find it interesting. Or is art combine English with art, linguistics needs and develop-
intrinsically better at facilitating design, film and theatre, media, ment in a systematic way’. They
learning, especially thanks to and most often fashion. We also also refer to a corpus for creative
the collaborative and practical asked Anna Phillips, an experi- language to inform their course
activities which it lends itself to? enced course designer and writer design. Keele University uses a
There are many studies that now developing an English for small corpus of media-related
support the idea that art increases fashion and textiles textbook, vocabulary to support students in
a child’s ability to learn in other to provide us with some insider their path from the analysis to the
academic areas, even maths. A knowledge into course design. Courtesy Nottingham Trent University production of media. The Uni-
public school in Vermont, US, Types of courses, age groups versity of Westminster employs
saw the number of third graders and the single biggest challenge. a similar strategy, whereby stu-
achieving numeracy standards Most of the institutions we heard dents analyse and then create
more than treble three years after from offer either open courses critical reviews which, thanks to
the implementation of its Inte- or foundation and pre-sessional their structure, help develop stu-
grated Arts Academy programme. courses designed to equip stu- CUTTING EDGE A student gets to work in the fashion studios at Nottingham Trent University dents’ first descriptive and then
More specifically targeting ELT, dents and professionals with the evaluative language.
the New York State Department necessary set of skills to undertake fertile environment, however; as they become “pro-active co- summarised, students need to Anna Phillips observed that
of Education report Art as a Tool study or work in the field of art. the University of Westminster creators” of content at the very ‘communicate precisely and ESP textbooks need to include
for Teachers of English Language Some offer EL summer courses in observed, ‘An aspiring playwright start of their experience.’ Not- efficiently in their area of exper- activities to foster both general
Learners states that art benefits which art is a ‘plus’ option. The and a film director have a lot to tingham Trent University added tise’. To achieve this goal, they communication skills, such as
students’ cognitive, literacy and biggest age group is 18–24-year- learn from each other.’ that students benefit from the have to be proficient in a vari- performing well in an interview,
language development, it caters olds, but these courses are also Art for language – what opportunity to test and apply ety of communicative skills. and more specific skills, such
for diversity and it encourages popular among older profession- is the benefit of including their language skills in a ‘lively Nottingham Trent University as annotating a sketchbook or
problem-solving skills and criti- als, students undertaking further an artistic component in the studio environment’. observed that students should writing a profile for a fashion
cal and conceptual thinking. studies and younger students with course? Art can reach students Art also helps develop stu- develop core verbal skills to customer. The challenge is bal-
Art for language then, but a passion for art. with any level of language abil- dents’ higher-order thinking express their ideas confidently, ancing content and language,
what about language for art? Art When asked about the single ity. Bell London observed that skills, such as analytical and as well as listening and reading keeping in mind that ‘as language
requires a precise set of commu- biggest challenge for a teacher teachers were able to use a broad questioning skills, as observed skills to be proficient in an art teachers, it’s the skills and strate-
nicative skills and vocabulary running these courses, institutions variety of materials to meet dif- by Kings London. and design studio and to conduct gies we need to focus on’. n
that should not be taken for responded in unison: catering for ferent learning needs, and the art All institutions mentioned further research. Kings London
granted even in native speakers. the different needs of students and design component could be the high interest and relevance added that students must be able Thanks to Anna Phillips, Bell
Professor Paul Haywood from in terms of interests, language included at any level of language of the topic, which fosters stu- to reflect and articulate their London, International House
Middlesex University, an insti- level and expectations. Kings and artistic ability. dents’ motivation and, according ideas, while the University of London, Keele University,
tution offering various courses London mentioned that students Art gives students owner- to Scarborough International Westminster listed critical writ- Kings London, Middlesex
combining English language were ‘interested in developing ship over their learning and School of English, can even ing and critical reading as core University, Nottingham Trent
and art, explained: ‘We hope discrete and sometimes very spe- gives them plenty of meaningful facilitate the study of grammar. skills. Keele University also University, Scarborough
that overseas students will ben- cific art skills more than others’, practice. As Middlesex Uni- Language for art – what underlined the importance of International School of
efit from these programmes but and for this reason programmes versity noted, ‘Learning is best are the most important com- specific terminology, a concern English, University of the Arts
we would also encourage home must be precisely tailored. absorbed if it is “active” and municative skills in this field? shared by Middlesex University, London, University
students to consider their value, Diversity always breeds a very students feel involved because As International House London which noted that ‘some terms of Westminster

Why culture can trump grammar

Communicating effectively with patients means more than just a
high Ielts score when working in Britain’s NHS, explains Ros Wright

hanges in policy guide- range of lexical components, ive’. Patients and relatives are model for breaking bad news is
lines mean that both from medical terminology and far more likely to forgive the odd used systematically across the
Cnon-EU and EU-trained sub-technical vocabulary to col- grammar mistake than an intona- NHS. Trainees can develop lan-
doctors are now required to loquialisms and euphemisms. tion pattern that lacks warmth guage to Set the scene, determine
obtain Ielts 7.5 to register for the Knowing that a deceased rela- and compassion. the patient’s Perception of their
GMC (UK’s medical accredita- tive is ‘pushing up the daisies’ as Medical recruiters and health- condition, obtain the patient’s
tion board). However, given the opposed to ‘smelling the radishes care professionals all highlight Invitation before delivering the
nature of the Ielts exam, to what from below’ (as in Germany) the need to gain a working preferred amount of Knowledge,
extent does this enhanced score may avoid unnecessary tension at knowledge of NHS culture before while providing Empathy and
actually ensure overseas doctors an already emotional time. hitting the wards. This includes finally Summarising and laying
are fit to practise in a UK hospi- Intonation is another cause for an appreciation of the patient’s out a Strategy for the future. Com-
tal? The obvious lack of medical concern. Research carried out by role in decisions made on their munication frameworks such as
content is only one aspect where King’s College London in 2014 care and treatment, as well as the this not only ensure NHS policy
this exam falls short. found that ‘rhythm and intona- need to obtain patient consent is adhered to, they also offer the
Four areas in particular pose tion of speech’ had a negative regardless of intervention, be that overseas doctor guidance from a
problems for new NHS recruits. impact on the information and routine physical examination or language perspective.
Greeting trainees at Notting- attitudes conveyed by interna- organ donation. It also involves While not all of these areas are
ham’s QMC recently with the tional medical graduates. Devoid understanding the multi-disci- language-related per se, they all
local expression, ‘Hey-up me of the appropriate intonation and plinary nature of the NHS and impact significantly on the level
duck!’ I was not entirely sur- tone, expressions of empathy working relationships with other of communicative competencey
prised by the sea of blank faces. might not be demonstrated to healthcare professionals, which required to comply with the
Understanding and responding full effect to those already feel- may differ greatly from the doc- standards of good practice set
appropriately to the language ing distressed and vulnerable. tors’ own experience. out by the GMC. The fact that
of the patient is essential in While asking about her father’s Lastly, introducing the use of none of them can be tested by
establishing and developing rap- treatment recently, my mother’s frameworks to enhance effective the Ielts does seem to invalidate
port. Unlike most other areas perception was that although the communication with patients and this exam as a successful means
of language training, preparing doctor demonstrated an accurate colleagues is another area where of benchmarking proficiency in
overseas doctors to work in the level of English, his delivery medical English trainers can help a context so dependent on effec-
NHS involves teaching the entire was ‘adversarial and dismiss- prepare new doctors. The ‘Spikes’ tive communication. n