FORGING A FREEWAY FOR ENGLISH ACROSS DISCIPLINES The Experience of the PPP, ITM A Level Programme

Abstract

This paper highlights the initiatives taken by teaching staff in the PPP, ITM A Level Programme to share classroom strategies and methodology towards quality classroom teaching. The reasons and events which led to the forging of inter-disciplinary links are detailed. These info-sharing sessions provided avenues for staff teaching English to interact more meaningfully and share commonly practised strategies while subject lecturers acknowledged the importance for improved language competence in their respective disciplines. Jointly supervised projects and team teaching approaches were recommended.

Later feedback from subject lecturers indicated a number of problematic areas as each subject had its own "profile" of difficulties. Nevertheless, it was generally agreed that an EAP cum ESP model would provide students with more insights regarding the language of their disciplines. Possible strategies were proposed and implemented while the outcomes and benefits derived are outlined.

This report would interest teachers engaged in parallel institutions where studies are perceived as highly compartmentalised. The integration of English with the subjects taught, the need for on-going staff development and communication and the call for a bottom-up mechanism for change may interest ESL/EFL teachers from a diversity of backgrounds.