New research into the development of language skills and the importance of spelling and word recognition will be under discussion in Dubai later this month, at a first-of-its-kind “Colloquium” – a gathering of language experts.
The event, jointly hosted by the British University in Dubai (BUiD) and TESOL (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Arabia Research Special Interest Group, will draw together academics from across the Emirates to attempt to draft the first stages of a full research agenda into the development of language skills.
Demand for teaching of the English language in the region has risen sharply in recent years, as students look to develop an international skill set. In particular, the increased need for “knowledge workers” within the public and private sector in the United Arab Emirates has seen the launch of a number of initiatives designed to increase spoken and written English comprehension.
The increased number of adult workers taking part-time education to improve their language skills has also sharpened the debate on how best to teach English.
The Colloquium will look to examine some of the basic word decoding skills – such as spelling and word recognition – that form the building blocks of effective language learning.
“For many years, teaching of English in the Middle East has focused upon top-down and communication skills, but there is increasing recognition of the importance of other more fundamental skills,” said Dr. Mick Randall, Senior Lecturer in TESOL and Acting Head of the Institute of Education at the British University in Dubai, who is organizing the event.
“This meeting will act as an important opportunity to promote discussion of skills like spelling and writing in the Arab World, and hopefully enable us to share research findings and new initiatives,” he added.
The Colloquium will take place on Thursday, 18th May at the British University in Dubai, Knowledge Village. Participants will include a number of experts from leading universities schools and other education institutions in the UAE.
About The British University in Dubai
The British University in Dubai (BUiD) is the Middle East’s first research-based, postgraduate university. The University was established to facilitate access to world-class education, training and research in the Middle East. BUiD aspires to the highest, internationally recognized British standards as reflected in its partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Birmingham, the University of Manchester, Cardiff University and now the Cass Business School at City University, London. Each has a five or five-star rating in the UK national Research Assessment Exercise that signifies research of international standard.
The not-for-profit university offers full and part-time Masters Degree programmes and Continuing Professional Development courses in Information Technology, Project Management, the Built Environment and Education. Subject to accreditation, a new Masters programme in Finance and Banking will be offered in January 2006.
All BUiD’s current Masters Programmes have received Accreditation Eligibility Status from the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research’s Commission for Academic Accreditation.
The founders of the University are the Al Maktoum Foundation, the Dubai Development and Investment Authority, Rolls-Royce, the British Business Group and the National Bank of Dubai. The University is managed by a provisional council under the chairmanship of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum.
The Emirates Group, DUCAB, Atkins and Dubai Duty Free are supporters of the university through financial contributions or the provision of scholarships.
