Forum on Curricular Issues

FOCI-V: PATHWAYS FOR PROGRESS/ION: WHAT WE DO DO, DON’T DO AND COULD DO was held at Koç University on 10th and 11th May.

Participants from 16 different university foundation/preparatory programmes came together to discuss the different ways we are all aiming to develop a programme that optimises our learners’ motivation, deals with their failure and maximizes their success.  The forum explored issues such as number, length & pace of courses/levels/whole programme, modular or non-modular approach, exit-levels, supporting weaker students, dealing with repeat courses and learners who are unable to complete the programme in the expected time.  Documents from the focus groups and photos from the event will soon be available here. 

Many thanks to William and the Koç University team for hosting such an enjoyable and successful event!

If you attended FOCI-V, please feel free to add your comments on the event here.

A big thank you to all who organised and attended the FOCI-IV event. You can download the FOCI IV minutes here and the round up session notes here.

Presentation slides

Nevin Adalar’s presentation on the meaning of ‘curriculum’ from the opening plenary of FOCI IV.

Foci IV openeing plenary

The group A presentation

FOCI IV: Group A Presentation

The group B presentation

FOCI IV: Group B Presentation

FOCI-IV @ Eastern Mediterranean University
Collaborating with Colleagues to Consolidate the Curriculum

9am-4.30pm Friday 9th December and 9am-1pm Saturday 10th December 2011

Registration is now open. Closing date 16th September

For full details of the event, click here.

The first meeting of the SIG for Academic Purposes of the European Association for Language Testing and Assessment (EALTA) will be held on Friday 14th October, 2011 at the Sabancı University Communciation Centre in Karaköy, İstanbul. The theme of the meeting is “Good Practice in the Testing and Assessment of Academic Skills.”

Presentations can be around 40 minutes each. Please send an abstract of no more than 200 words to Peter Holt pholt@SABANCIUNIV.EDU. The deadline for proposals is Monday, September 12th.

A big thank you to all who organised and attended the FOCI-III event held at İstanbul Aydın University on Friday 13th May! If you attended the event we would like you to share with us your reflections on the day: some of the things which you “took away” from the event or which you would like to investigate further.

Here is one from us to start you off!

Transparency: Are our expectations explicit to the learners right from the start? Are our objectives and assessment criteria explicit to the learners (in language they can actually understand – not “TeacherSpeak”)? The teacher too needs to be a model of autonomy too by being open about their reflective practice.

Images from the third FOCI event held at Istanbul Aydın University.

[Show as slideshow]

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Today is the deadline for registration for the FOCI III event at Istanbul Aydin University on 13th May 2011. We will however accept any registrations which happen over the weekend so Monday 21st March is the final deadline.

FORUM ON CURRICULAR ISSUES
FOCI III @ Istanbul Aydın University
Developing a curriculum that fosters independent learner competencies

Date: Friday 13th May 2011
Venue: İstanbul Aydın University (Bahçelievler Campus)

RATIONALE

In May 2010 the Curriculum Team of Sabancı University School of Languages set up a forum for representatives from a range of universities in Turkey and North Cyprus to come together to discuss curriculum issues in university foundation EAP programmes preparing learners for their undergraduate studies in English. The FOCI project has now become a regular event to be held twice a year in collaboration with different host institutions. We are pleased to announce that FOCI III will be organised in collaboration with İstanbul Aydın University Preparatory School.

AIMS OF THE FORUM

To provide an opportunity for representatives from a range of foundation EAP programmes in different state, foundation and private universities within the Turkish context to come together in order to:

• discuss issues of concern in the areas of needs analysis, syllabus writing, implementation, and programme evaluation;
• share experiences and ideas relevant to curricular issues from their diverse contexts;
• raise mutual awareness of the activities and approaches to curriculum issues in other programmes;
• build relationships and links between the curriculum teams in different institutions.

EXPECTED OUTCOME FOR FOCI III

The forum will take an informal and hands-on approach to the practical “nitty-gritty” of curriculum work aiming to complement the formal presentation of papers or workshops to be found at other professional gatherings such as conferences, seminars and workshops.

It is intended that participants will come away from the Forum with concrete examples of how other institutions have responded to the challenge of developing a curriculum to foster independent learning through learner and teacher autonomy and through the integration of technology into the implementation of the curriculum.

This will involve whole-group discussion and smaller groups focusing on particular areas who will then feedback to the whole group. The topics of the focus group will be decided from suggestions made by participants on the registration form.

PARTICIPANTS

Any university providing EAP programmes to prepare students for their undergraduate studies in Turkey or Northern Cyprus is invited to send one representative: a member of a syllabus or curriculum team, or other teacher who is involved in curricular development.

• In order to ensure efficient and focused discussion and an informal atmosphere, places are limited to one representative from each institution.

• If interest exceeds capacity, places will be allocated randomly from applications received by the closing date, while ensuring a range of different types of university and geographical spread in order to ensure the widest variety of perspectives.

• There is no fee and refreshments and lunch will be provided free of charge.

• The language of the forum will be English

• The deadline for registration is 18th March, 2011.

To register: use this link

For inquiries contact: fociturkey@gmail.com

Campus location: Adnan Kahveci Bulvari No:78, Bahçelievler, ISTANBUL (Website)

Unfortunately we are unable to provide accommodation. The following are hotels close to the campus:

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