| A colloquium on “Inquiry into expertise in EAP teaching: EAP teachers’ professional growth” was held on 26 January. 40 teachers from different ELCs gathered together to explore this topic. Here is a summary of the key points from the group discussions.
What is EAP teacher expertise? |
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· Knowing how to identify the gap between what students know and what they need to know · Learning to master the writer’s voice · Prioritizing students’ needs and helping them become more competent academic writers · Expertise can include research, teaching, materials development and assessment · Basic EAP knowledge (e.g., referencing, paraphrasing) and knowledge about specific kinds of communication in the discipline (exposure to other disciplines) · Requires ongoing development and it’s achieved mostly with experience · Openness to learning · Ability to develop knowledge about discourse and styles of different genres with an understanding of audience and purpose · Having the ability to make decisions about material selection · Having the latest knowledge |
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*** Core competency refers to the ability to gauge the language level of your students and adapting or selecting materials appropriate to their level – To find students in their own voice but in an academic way – To identify EAP genre (which language features provided in the text) – Knowing about the proficiency level (where did they start) and how they can go further – Bridge the gap in between language and their field exploration |
| What are the best practices of effective EAP teachers? |
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– Being reflective and willing to change – Being knowledgeable about students’ needs, interests, strengths and weaknesses – Willingness to innovate – Planning to ensure effective practice – Collaborating with other practitioners – Collaborating with content area specialists – Engaging in critique of texts – Focusing on and being sensitive to learner needs – Engaging in materials development initiatives or projects of relevance to teaching – Ensuring sound student engagement in class – Scaffolding learning – Integrating technology in teaching – Effective use of exemplars |
| How can we develop expertise in EAP teaching? |
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– Join PD sessions – Join the HKCPD PD sessions and conference – Learning from other colleagues – Reflecting on own experiences – Conducting action research – Keeping abreast of changes in the disciplines – Helping students understand teachers’ roles – Use of technology (MOOCs, Blends/online learning/teaching) |
