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FOR ADMINISTRATORS

HOW SHOULD OUR UNIVERSITY SELECT STUDENTS FOR MULTILINGUAL PROGRAMS?

Ideally, have a policy to use international exams such as IELTS to test students for English language levels, and require a CEFR B2 level result for any test for postgraduate study in English.

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DO NOT ARBITRARILY CHOOSE OR FORCE STUDENTS INTO MULTILINGUAL PROGRAMS.

WHAT ADJUSTMENTS SHOULD WE MAKE TO THE CURRICULUM TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC SKILLS IN THREE LANGUAGES?

  • Add foundational courses (before entry into the program) that use genre-based pedagogy for students who are interested in multilingual programs but have lower proficiency in any of the three languages

  • Continue with credit-bearing courses in academic communication (focused on writing, but using reading and speaking to help shape writing)

  • Encourage co-teaching or other collaborations between content teachers and practical language teachers for all three languages

HOW CAN WE BEST PREPARE OUR STAFF TO TEACH IN MULTILINGUAL PROGRAMS? 

  • Provide courses that not only teach general English but also:

    • cover subject-specific knowledge and terminology in English and other languages; 

    • teach the language of teaching in English, 

    • teach methods of teaching in a foreign language; 

    • offer state of the art approaches to teaching in any language; and

    • raise awareness of the elements of different scientific texts that students and teachers need to produce (e.g. lab reports, psychological profiles, research articles). 

    • raise awareness of the need (and ways) to adapt skills across types of texts and languages

  • Invite teachers of disciplines and teachers of practical English to collaborate on lesson design.

  • Provide teachers teaching in English not only more money but more time to prepare lessons in English. ​

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WHAT RESOURCES SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR FUNDING IN MULTILINGUAL PROGRAMS?

Use the self-assessment process to identify the top priorities in your university. Priorities that have been noted in other universities include:

  • Library resources in three languages (paper collection and online database subscriptions)

  • Study abroad opportunities for students and teachers 

  • International student recruitment

  • Laboratory equipment and materials

  • IT resources and support

  • Internships

  • Courses in academic writing in 3 languages

  • Events that popularize teaching and learning in three languages

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