Page 23 - ELG2307 Jul Issue 485

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English as a Medium of Education:
English as a Medium of Education:

Powerful learning opportunities ahead
Powerful learning opportunities ahead

here have been many predictions on ready skills. This is where the design of the a big part in supporting the implementation of
the future of English learning and Cambridge English Qualifications and IELTS EME programs.
teaching over the last decade, but is hugely beneficial. We know from research
Tthe British Council’s recent Future that students taking these exams will develop How Ed tech can help
of English paper really stood out as a useful a wide range of language skills that will be As Ed tech continues to transform English
indicator of where we’re heading, writes Nicola really useful at university. This includes language learning and teaching, we need to
Johnson, Head of Global Recognition at skills you need to be confident in reading look at how technology can support and help
Cambridge University Press & Assessment. and summarising complex information, students learn the skills they need for EME.
What really struck me from the British writing essays, presenting ideas in class and It’s fair to say that Generative AI and other
Council’s recent predictions was the importance collaborating with your classmates. technologies will make it easier, not only to
placed on English as a Medium of Education or learn English, but to use it in higher education
EME – a term I’m sure we’re going to hear much How the Cambridge English exams contexts, but it won’t do all the work.
more about in the future. The idea of teaching can help From this point of view tools such as ChatGPT
academic programmes in English is nothing With Cambridge’s range of qualifications will enhance the learning experience, but not
new, but it’s certainly a growing area and we are and commitment to effective teaching replace the teacher. That’s why at Cambridge
seeing thousands of these types of programmes and learning, we stand ready to support we firmly believe it is important not to cut
being successfully delivered and having a institutions, teachers, and learners as they corners with tech and keep a human in the loop
positive impact all over the world: navigate the opportunities and challenges at all times. For teachers, this hybrid approach
presented by EME. For example, we specifically might mean classroom activities along the lines
How to thrive in an EME environment design IELTS and the Cambridge English of encouraging students to spot the difference
The growing trend of EME presents challenges qualifications, especially C1 Advanced so between authentic expertly written text and
and opportunities in terms of student they cover the skills that learners will need to less reliable computer-generated content.
readiness, teacher training and having access thrive in English taught environments. The
to the right kinds of resources. We find that relevance of the Cambridge English exams in Don’t forget about the soft skills!
these challenges can be reduced if both staff this context is one of the driving forces behind In a high tech, increasingly online future, a
and students have a good level of relevant our impressive recognition figures. In fact, the much wider range of “soft” skills will be needed
English skills when they begin their courses. Cambridge English exams are now recognised once students graduate. This replaces a big
So, what skills do you actually need to thrive by over 25,000 organisations including leading responsibility on English language teachers in
in an EME environment? universities around the world. The exams are Higher Education EME environments to help
also internationally recognised and aligned students to develop these skills. That’s why
Study-ready skills! with the Common European Framework we’ve recently launched the Employability
For English language students it’s important of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which Skills Module, which has been designed to help
to remember that it’s not just about knowing means they provide a reliable and objective improve students’ understanding of the skills
the language, it’s about developing study evaluation of language skills, which can play they will be expected to know in the workplace.
editorial@elgazette.com 23