Objectives
The programme prepares students to:
1. Acquire knowledge about the general and specific educational aims for teaching English.
2. Acquire an awareness and proficiency of the English Language.
3. Explore teaching methods theoretically and practically.
4. Acquire the special skills required to properly instruct children.
5. Understand a child on all levels (physical, emotional, intellectual, and others).
6. Interact well with young learners in a classroom.
7. Explore methods that work best in teaching English to young learners.
8. Create a good classroom atmosphere for learning English.
9. Manage children's behaviour.
10. Use teaching resources easily and efficiently.
11. Develop their teaching career and increase their level of professionalism.
Curriculum Development
A special Curriculum Development Committee undertakes – on a regular basis – the task of reviewing the course descriptions, objectives, contents, as well as course books. Based on the students’ needs analysis, a major task of the committee is to recommend up-to-date course books, as well as introducing new courses required for bettering students’ performance. The major sheet has been adapted to qualify graduates to teach in the intermediate and the secondary schools. As well, some faculty members authored their own books – on theoretical linguistics in particular – tailored to meet the actual needs of students.
Academic Advising
Under the supervision of the Department General Academic Advisor, all the faculty members provide their students with the major sheet as well as a list of the major English courses distributed on the 8 semesters of study. At the beginning of each semester and before registration, students are advised on which courses to take. It is also a major task of the academic advisor to solve students’ problems in registration.
Academic Requirements
The general requirements apply to all students working towards a bachelor degree in the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET). These requirements reflect PAAET’s effort to offer an excellent program of study. Thus the PAAET requires a high concentration of courses in its undergraduate majors, while at the same time requiring a core of general education.
The main components of the English programme are:
1. A core general education in the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities (30 credit hours).
2. English concentration: 60 credit hours of courses offered by the English Department as follows:
a. Basic English language skills: 9 credit hours of required courses.
b. Linguistics: 18 credit hours of five required courses and one elective.
c. Literature: 12 credit hours of three required courses and one elective.
d. EFL/ESL: 21 credit hours of six required courses and one elective.
3. Vocational courses: 40 credit hours offered mainly by the Department of Education.
Please note that students must maintain a minimum GPA of at least 60% to be in good academic status and graduate from the Department.
Academic Advising
The minimum requirements for admission of applicants to the English Department are the following:
1. Undergraduate degree-seeking applicants must hold the General Secondary Certificate of Education (GSCE) or its equivalent to be considered for admission.
2. Applicants must earn at least 70% in the GSCE to be considered for admission.
3. Because of the large number of applicants, admission is highly competitive and is mainly based on the scores in an admission examination and an interview. Applicants must score 60% or above in each to be considered for admission.