Page 14 - ELG2005 May Issue 470

INTERVIEW .

Effective EAP NCUK

Diane Schmitt talks to the Gazette about
NCUK’s recent effectiveness study
What Next for Global ELT?

What is NCUK?
NCUK is a consortium of universities with a global network of more
than 75 Delivery Partners who deliver our portfolio of degree pathway
qualifications. We have provided more than 35,000 international
students with a pathway to study abroad at some of the best NCUK Student Prize Awards 2019
universities in the world.
What are the particular strengths of the NCUK EAP
Why do an EAP effectiveness study? programme?
Because at NCUK we have a unique relationship with our The programme benefits from interaction between UK-based EAP
universities, we were able to collate their data and demonstrate the specialists and EAP specialists in each delivery centre. These
consistency of our student outcomes. This in turn evidences the interactions ensure that the syllabus and its implementation take
quality of our qualifications in preparing account of the different educational systems that
international students for university. students come from and the variety of provision
Flexibility in the at NCUK Universities.
What are the main conclusions? The EAP module is integrated within subject
The study shows that NCUK students perform syllabus allows EAP study and ensures that academic language
consistently well at university, showing our teachers to apply their development occurs alongside subject study and
qualifications – which integrate EAP – fully can support students’ subject knowledge
prepare students. We found no substantial expertise to meeting development, rather than being stand-alone. In
variance based on a student’s country of origin or the needs of their particular, we plan coursework assessment tasks
the Study Centre they attended. This highlights that focus on texts and topics taken directly from
the academic rigor and quality assurance of our local context. students’ subject study.
teaching and delivery. Another key strength is that the EAP
assessment includes both a traditional examination and summative
What about language level? Could those with higher level tasks that simulate a range of academic activities that students will
English to begin with do better? encounter at university.
Although we have not factored in the variable English level of
students entering the NCUK preparation programmes, it does seem How does teaching international students who have
natural that students with higher levels of English on entry might do studied EAP differ from those who haven’t?
better both on EAP assessments and in their degree. The biggest challenge facing university lecturers is the increasing
Higher proficiency in English would leave students with more diversity amongst their students: diversity in background knowledge,
attention available to attend to aspects of academic literacy that go student understanding of the attitudes and behaviours expected in
beyond language. Anglophone universities, and in academic language proficiency.
Keep in mind, however, that the EFL curricula that many students Lecturers cannot assume that students know what is expected of
study in school rarely gives much attention to academic language. them and often have to spend considerable time introducing activities
Students are unlikely to have encountered many of the genres and and explicitly modelling what they expect.
academic functions that they will meet at university, so even students A high level of language proficiency is not sufficient to bridge the
with high proficiency in English can benefit significantly from gap. NCUK students who have studied EAP have been introduced to
focusing on Academic English. the expectations of English-medium universities and provided with
opportunities to practice new ways of learning. In fact, in a survey of
The study only uses data from UK Universities – why? our alumni in 2016, 93 per cent of alumni students felt well equipped
NCUK has added universities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and to meet the expectations of their first year of university.
the USA only in the past 1-2 years, so these pathway students haven’t Students who have studied EAP are more confident about meeting the
had a chance to complete the full duration of their degrees. expectations of their new educational environment and are more likely
to know how to interact with their lecturers both in and out of class.
Do all NCUK Delivery Partners offer the same EAP
preparation courses globally? What further study is indicated?
Each of our undergraduate and postgraduate degree pathway There is a lack of comparative studies into the performance of wider
qualifications have EAP embedded within them. NCUK provides a groups of international students, whether taking similar programmes
shared syllabus and assessment tools to all Delivery Partners, which or studying on pathway programmes at individual institutions. NCUK
states clear learning outcomes and minimum contact hours for each is keen to work with universities in exploring such comparisons.
of the qualifications, and provides recommendations for teaching
materials. However, Delivery Partners are offered flexibility in how Diane Schmitt is chair of the NCUK Quality
they work towards those learning outcomes. Assurance committee. An independent
NCUK provides the online Teachers’ Hub, which provides consultant working in areas including EAP,
suggestions for materials and opportunities for collaboration. Each EMI and programme evaluation, she previously
Partner is also allocated an EAP Delivery Advisor. taught EAP and TESOL at Nottingham Trent
Flexibility in the syllabus allows EAP teachers to apply their University for 25 years. She has also taught in
expertise to meeting the needs of their local context. Standardisation Japan and Azerbaijan and given talks and
is achieved through centralised assessments and moderation of workshops in over 25 countries. Technology to the rescue?
students’ work by UK-based examiners.

14 May 2020 editorial@elgazette.com 15