Special English Language Enhancement Programmes Currently the English Language Centre offers three Special English Language Enhancement Programmes:
Supplementary English Programme (located in ST405) The English Language Centre offers a Supplementary English Programme primarily for 1st year higher-diploma and degree students who have been identified as requiring additional English language tuition. Programmes are offered in both semesters of the academic year and are 22 hours in length. Students attend in groups of five or less. Intake In semester one, students are identified through an analysis of their HKALE (A Level) and HKCEE (O Level) results. Students who have failed a combination of their writing, speaking and listening papers at either the A or O Levels are identified. In semester two student intake is based on recommendations made by their regular English teachers. Recommendations are made through referral forms which indicate in which areas the students are particularly weak. Programme Structure and Content The Programmes content is based primarily on the needs identified at the time of referral. At the same time, students’ self-perceived needs and wants are elicited by means of a Needs Questionnaire, which they complete at the start of the programme. Each group in consultation with their teacher agrees on a small number of areas, on which to focus. The most popular areas include the following:
The process of selecting and then prioritising areas to study requires that the group draw up an objective and record it on their Learning Plan. An example of an objective is: "My aim in this objective is to improve my presentation skills, especially in developing confidence and in organising and expressing my ideas." After the objective is recorded, students, with the help of their teacher, select materials that will help them meet the objective. These materials are recorded on the Record of Study. Students also provide feedback on the materials.
Student Self-Assessment and Teacher Feedback Within a 22-hour programme, students can expect to complete approximately three objectives. As they complete their first objective (about 6-8 hours into the programme), they are able to record their progress and receive teacher feedback. Although teacher feedback is given formally at the end of each objective, due to the nature of small-group teaching immediate feedback is a regular feature of Supplementary English Programme teaching.
Progress Reports At the end of each 22-hour programme, teachers present a formal report documenting the groups attendance and progress to the students’ Programme Leader in the parent department and to the Subject Leader in the English Language Centre. This report details:
Writing Assistance Programme (Located in ST405) The Writing Assistance Programme (WAP) offers one-to-one assistance to any PolyU student writer at any stage of the writing process. It aims to help writers develop an ability to critically evaluate and revise their writing and in doing so become more effective writers. WAP teachers offer 30-minute writing conferences with writers during which the teacher and writer are able to discuss a text the student has brought to the WAP. The kind of help writers receive through the WAP include:
Students are free to bring in any written work; however, students who bring in long texts, e.g., final year reports, will need to decide which portion of the text they want to receive feedback on within the 30 minutes. Students needing more time with a teacher can book in for an hour appointment at the recommendation of a WAP teacher.
Student Resources The WAP area in ST405 also has a number of writing resources available for students joining the programme. They include:
Teacher Resources The WAP offers writing teachers a number of resources, including the Writing Centre Journal and the Writing Lab Newsletter. WAP teachers do not edit, correct or rewrite for writers.
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