ELC (283)
Statistics can be viewed as a language, a means of communicating with others. It is an essential aspect of statistical literacy. In other words it is the ability to communicate concepts and results in written and verbal form. Dr. Patrick Ethe Raj delivered a lecture on Statistics as a communication language- The need for a well-prepared methodology to ensure effective communication on 29.11.2022 at the English Language Centre – UTAS, Ibri.
Profile
Dr. Patrick Ethe Raj is a Malaysian citizen. He has a doctorate degree from University Malaysia Kelantan. Dr. Patrick’s experience spans across 3 decades in the industrial and academic world. Dr. Patrick is currently working as a professor at Putra Business School at University Putra Malaysia. His field of expertise also includes, Quantitative Data Analysis and Quantitative Research Methods. He presents his scholarly knowledge in lectures, webinars, symposiums, and conferences, at national and international levels.
Dr Yosra Sellami-Sellami, from Tunisia, shared her views at Global ELT seminar hosted by the ELC, UTAS, Ibri on 13 December, 2022. Her presentation was on Phases and Limitations of Online Education in the 21st Century. She gave an interesting account of post covid-19 Pandemic changes all over the world with special reference to the education sector. According to Dr Yosra governments all over the world resorted to cut off with the face-to-face instruction and adopted online alternatives. Consequently, there was a reshuffle of teachers’ and learners’ functions and also in the use of technological devices, such as iPads and computers, which became the new medium of communication between teacher and students and between students themselves. She further added that Success in an online framework depends primarily on the teacher’ ability to enhance students’ motivation and keep them highly engaged during the teaching-learning process because some learners may prefer the traditional setting of education to the online engagement.
Profile
Dr Yosra Sellami-Sellami, Tunisia, Faculty of Letters and Humanities of Sfax, Tunisia. She is a Doctor of Applied Linguistics. She received her doctorate from the Faculty of Letters and Humanities of Sfax, Tunisia. She is a reviewer at the Anatolian Journal of Education (AJE); International Journal of Language and Linguistics; International Journal of English Teaching and Learning; and a member in the editorial board of the International Education Studies and Sustainability Journal.
Fatima Fattoumi presented on the need of educators’ digital competence to enhance students’ future and employability at Global ELT seminar hosted by the ELC, UTAS, Ibri on 13 December, 2022. She was of the profound opinion that digital competence has become a pre-requisite for educators. She stated that many scales and tools that were initially designed to assess such competency throughout all educational levels have been applied only in primary and secondary education. This paper applies the DIGIGLO that draws on the European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators to assess the digital competence of educators in Higher Education.
Profile
Fatma Fattoumi is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor in ELT at the University of Carthage, Tunisia. She is a PhD candidate. She is a verified reviewer on Pablons and a UCL course Mentor on Future Learn.
Ms. Saoussen Jilani presented on Exchange Programs and its Role in Fostering Omani Student's Career at Global ELT seminar hosted by the ELC, UTAS, Ibri on 13 December, 2022. Exchange programs have always been considered as an essential constituent of students' learning journey. It is a liminal zone where there is a dialogic interchange of languages, cultures, speech communities, ethnicities, races, linguistic repertoires, and conversational competences. Even more, its importance lies in its de facto ability to transgress geographical boundaries in order to reach a solid unification of human entities. In this sense, an information session on exchange programs to the United States will be held at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences- Ibri
Profile
Ms. Saoussen Jilani is a lecturer of English, Fulbright Alumna with US Embassy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming practitioner, researcher in Trauma Theories, and former researcher in Sorbonne University-Paris 3. She is interested in promoting the educational curriculum tailored to teach students with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Miss Saoussen Jilani strongly believes in the importance of psychic behavior, existential wellbeing in the educational realm.
IELTS preparation classes were held for students taking the IELTS test through the British Council each month from September to December 2022. Most of the students were nurses from the Ibri Hospital, teachers from the Vocational Training College, administration staff from the College of Applied Sciences, and students from various educational institutions in and around Ibri. Through the needs analysis, we got to know that their main purpose for taking the IELTS test was to go abroad for higher studies, get a higher GPA, and get a promotion in their jobs. Mazahar Valioh Engameh and Sharon Ruth Devaneson of the English Language Centre were the IELTS tutors. Important tips and strategies in all four skills were identified, discussed, solved, and practiced in the class. Best practices were elicited from the students. and sample tests and answers were also shared with them.
Dr Mobina, who received a score of 9 in the IELTS speaking test, was invited to share her key strategies for answering the questions in the speaking test. All the classes were highly interactive, and there were eager and energetic students who participated in most of the activities.
The feedback was highly encouraging from all those who attended the course. 100% of the students said that they would strongly recommend the course to others. On the last day, Dr Abdulsalem Al Manthari (HoD ELC) of UTAS-Ibri distributed certificates to the students for their active participation and to the IELTS tutors for their dedication in sharing their expertise in IELTS.
The speaker, Ms Sharon Ruth Devaneson shared a teaching tip on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. The nerve point of her presentation was on how to bridge the gap between classroom and real life situations and it seemed important as it is notoriously difficult for many students, understanding how classroom curriculum applies to the real world. Especially, in areas like English, many students fall into the trap of repeating information without really comprehending the underlying framework.
Technology is another medium that is being used by teachers to bring the real world into the classroom these days. However, the language items learned by students mostly stay within the classroom. 'Connecting' what is learned in the classroom with the real world promotes total student involvement and learning through authentic situations. The teacher acts as the bridge that facilitates and provides the necessary scaffolding.
Profile: Sharon Ruth Devaneson has over 18 years of experience teaching English at the tertiary level. She has an M.A in English Language and Literature from the University of Madras and a CELTA from the British Council. She is constantly trying innovative techniques and strategies to motivate her students to learn and use English independently.
With the aim of enhancing ELC staff members’ understanding of Oman Vision 2040, Ms. Heba Qureshi conducted a professional development seminar on “Preparing Students with 21st Century Skills from the Perspectives of Oman Vision 2040” on Tuesday, 15 November 2022 at Multi-purpose Hall, Engineering Building.
Ms. Qureshi started the seminar by asking the staff about the 4C’s of 21st Century Skills. Active participation of the attendees showed their willingness to learn more. She emphasized the need to enhance the communication skills of students, for recruiters look for graduates with excellent communication skills. She then shared the list of interactive classroom-activities conducted by her, which focused on formal walk-in job interviews; some methods and tips that helped her enhance her students’ employability skills and the outcomes of the innovative class activity.
Before the session ended, a video recording of the walk-in job interviews and students and teachers’ views and comments were shown to the attendees.
Mr. Mohammed Aslam moderated the session. Ms Heba was awarded with the certificate of Appreciation.
The Ibri School paid a visit to the ELC on November 8, 2022. This is the second visit after receiving extraordinary feedback from the last school visit in the first semester.
More than 35 students from grades 7, 8, and 9 along with two teachers from the school participated in various programs that the ELC management and the Student Activities Committee (SAC) arranged for the visit.
The visit started with students being welcomed by Dr.Abdulasalm, Dr. Maryam, and Dr. Sultan in the ELC lobby. The committee members, along with the HOC, took the students on a campus tour to show them the facilities at the university. Later on, the English society mentors guided the students to attend a session in the ELC building. The session was fruitful and highly productive based on the feedback received. Dr. Mohsen, welcomed the students and introduced the agenda to them. Dr. Abdulsalam and Ms. Hiba enlightened students with their motivational speeches. The English Society mentors did a commendable job by sharing their views on relevant and key topics such as the importance of communication skills, dos and don'ts in school, life skills, procrastination, and so on. Thanks to Samah, Abdulkarim, Maitha, and the photographers who made the session a grand success.
The English Language Centre at UTAS - Ibri is always replete with novel ideas to break the monotony of work and The Social Activities committee compliments with an array of events for the teachers. The ELC staff was ushered into the new academic year with a welcoming event on Tuesday, the 27th of September 2022. To create a friendly ambience for the teaching staff, the event had a short entertaining drama titled “A Funny Burglar,” performed by the ELC faculty members Mr. Humaid Al Mamari and Mr. Mazaher Engameh.. The comedy skit had the audience in splits and proved as a good beginning to the day ahead.
An awareness session on Strategic, Operational and Action Plans was held on 8 November at D003, ELC Building. The event was attended by ELC Staff. Ms. Zahra Zohair Arab and Ms. Frizha May Baylon led the session.
Attendees were requested to form in groups and read the handout on main elements of the Strategic Plan. Then a quiz was given about it which contained 10 questions via Quizziz. The staff enjoyed and at the same time learned a lot about the quiz. The top scorers were Dr. Mirriam Cordova, Ms. Sharon Ruth and Dr. Mobina Rahnama.