The Language Center at Sultan Qaboos University is inviting proposals for presentations and workshops at the First Annual National Conference on teaching academic English in the Sultanate of Oman, on Wednesday and Thursday, 21 & 22 March 2001. The theme of the conference is:

Presentations and workshops will focus on theoretical and practical aspects of a range of topics with the expressed aim of developing proficiency in language skills, increasing awareness of the issues in the field, and providing insights in solving problems.

Plenary Speakers

Dr. James Dean Brown - University of Hawai'i at Manoa, USA[ bio ]

Dr. Bridget Gersten - Regional English Language Officer, Tunisia [ bio ]

Robert R. Jordan - University of Manchester, UK [ bio ]

• What are the salient features of EAP (English for Academic Purposes) and how they are different from EGP (English for General Purposes)?
• How and at what stage the transition from EGP to EAP be facilitated?
• Other than language skills, what other skills are needed to achieve higher proficiency in EAP?

LANGUAGE SKILLS

• How can language proficiency in each of the four skills—listening, speaking, reading, writing—be improved? What criteria should be used in selecting materials for these skills?

 

 

 

 

TESTING

• What methods of assessment are the most effective in EAP?

 

 

INFORMATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

• What is the role of the Internet and educational software in language teaching? How can they be utilized effectively in EAP courses?

 

 

CULTURAL ISSUES

• How can course materials, teaching approaches, methods, and classroom management be structured in a way to make them culturally appropriate in Oman?

 

 

 

 

Deadline for submitting proposals:
Tuesday, February 20, 2001

PROPOSAL GUIDELINES

REGISTRATION