Collaborative language teaching in English and engineering studies at a technikon
Abstract
This mini-dissertation investigates the possibility of implementing
Collaborative Language Teaching (team teaching) for the study of
engineering and English at a technikon. This is done in an effort to
address the issue of relevant ESL support offered to engineering students
at a technikon. More specifically, it is an attempt to isolate those
distinctive characteristics of technikon education and the study of
engineering and English that might affect the implementation of team
teaching at the Technikon Northern Gauteng.
Collaborative Language Teaching is discussed in terms of its origins in
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Content-Based Instruction (CBI).
These two proposals for language teaching both emphasise the central
importance of relevance in second language (SL) learning. Team
teaching is proposed as a possible strategy (procedure) for implementing
SL syllabuses that can provide a visible connection between two distinct
disciplines like engineering and English. Specific characteristics are also
discussed with regard to the use of the strategy. It is indicated that,
because this strategy is a departure from the familiar, some difficulty
might be experienced in an attempt to implement it. The knowledge,
attitudes and commitment of educators will have an effect on whether
they would be willing to become involved in team teaching. It will further
influence the quality of the team teaching relationship, and subsequently,
the success of team teaching.
The empirical component of the study employs a questionnaire in order to
determine the knowledge of Engineering and English lecturers about team
teaching, as well as their attitudes towards the possible implementation
of the strategy. Based on the findings of the literature review and the
empirical study, the dissertation proposes general guidelines for the
implementation of team teaching at a technikon, as well as
recommendations for the implementation of the strategy at the Technikon
Northern Gauteng.
Collections
- Humanities [2671]
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