2024 UIC English for Academic Purposes Conference

2024.4.2 Zhuhai UIC (T1-101)

Updated on 25 March 2024

Introduction:

The 2024 UIC English for Academic Purposes Conference is jointly organized by the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) and Oxford University Press. This conference aims to further promote the construction and practical exploration of college academic English teaching, learn about the latest international educational materials and resources, and discuss effective approaches to English education in this era of globalization.

As Chinese enterprises accelerate their expansion overseas, English, as the common language for international communication, is increasingly being used in academic, scientific research and daily life. The teaching and practice of academic English is particularly important for learners who are interested in further study in international higher education. Through this conference, we hope to discuss with experts and scholars the teaching methods, practical strategies and challenges facing academic English, in order to improve the teaching quality of academic English in China and cultivate more outstanding talents with international vision and cross-cultural communication skills.

Speakers:

Mr. Jonathan James Corbett (UIC)

Leveraging the Strengths of Non-Native English Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) to Enhance English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Curriculum

Abstract: The field of English language teaching has been traditionally influenced by 'native speakerism', often marginalising non-native English speaking teachers (NNESTs). However, recent changes in hiring practices at our English Language Center have created a more diverse teaching staff. Drawing on the feedback of NNESTs, this speech will explore the potential of these educators to improve the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) curriculum.

Biography: Mr. Jonathan Corbett holds an MA in Applied Linguistics TESOL from Aston University, UK, and a PGCE in Adult Literacy/ESOL. He has experience teaching ESOL, EFL, and pre-sessional English in the UK, and working in an EMI institution in China. Jonathan’s current roles are Associate Head of the English Language Centre at United International College and course convener of two EAP courses for first year students. In this role he worked as part of a team that developed new EAP courses. He is committed to enhancing EAP teaching practices and improving student outcomes.

Dr. Craig Cooper (UIC)

Navigating and Negotiating Academic Texts

Abstract: This speech presents the pedagogical methods employed in UIC’s EAP I, II, and III courses, with a special emphasis on how UIC students engage with and negotiate academic texts, cultivate stance, express attitudes, and understand credibility in the context of academic navigation. It will be suggested that these skills are central to the principles of soft critical EAP, a methodology that promotes student autonomy and encourages active interaction with course content. The speech includes findings of a 2024 survey, which involved students who have completed the EAP sequence.

Biography: Dr. Craig Cooper holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Visual Arts from Hong Kong Baptist University. Dr. Cooper's professional journey spans across universities in China and the UK. Dr. Cooper is the course convener for the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) III course at United International College, Beijing Normal University – Hong Kong Baptist University (UIC) and is interested in finding common ground between disciplines and fostering mutual exchange on interdisciplinary approaches to EAP.

Prof. Jian-E Peng (Shantou University)

An Introduction to Shantou University’s EAP Course Framework

Abstract: Teaching English for academic purposes (EAP) is an integral part of the English curriculum at Shantou University. In accordance with the institutional structure of this university, the EAP courses are organized into three distinct segments to address the needs of different student groups. The first segment, the ELC 4 course, offered by the English Language Center (ELC), is designed for non-English majors, excluding those in the Medical College. A progressive series comprising Basic Academic Writing I, Basic Academic Writing II, and Research Writing, is specifically tailored to English majors from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. The third segment, the English for Academic Purposes course, is delivered by the Foreign Language Department in the Medical College and targets students in this college. This presentation will outline the course objectives, course structure, course assessment, and intended learning outcomes associated with each course series. It concludes with our reflections on the progress and challenges encountered in the implementation of EAP teaching.

Biography: Prof. Jian-E Peng is a professor at the College of Liberal Arts, Shantou University, China. She holds a PhD from the University of Sydney. Her research interests include learner motivation, computer-assisted language learning, multimodal discourse analysis, teacher development, academic writing, and research methodology. Some of her publications include papers appearing in Language Learning, TESOL Quarterly, Computer Assisted Language Learning, System, Journal of English for Academic Purposes, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, ELT Journal, Linguistics and Education, The Asia-Pacific Education Researcher, and RELC Journal. She also published a book entitled Willingness to communicate in the Chinese EFL university classroom: An ecological perspective (2014, Multilingual Matters), a book in Chinese (2019, Sun Yat-sen University Press), and five invited book chapters. She was included in Stanford’s list of the World’s Top 2% scientists and Elsevier’s list of Highly Cited Chinese Researchers from 2020 through 2022.

Prof. Lei Ma (BNU)

English for Academic Purposes at Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai Campus

Abstract: The talk aims to introduce the English for Academic Purposes program initiated in the fall semester of 2019 at Zhuhai campus of Beijing Normal University. The talk covers how it is carried out and the difficulties encountered. It tends to discuss the potential feasibilities to the future teaching.

Biography: Prof. Lei Ma, an associate professor at School of Foreign Languages and Literature, Beijing Campus of Beijing Normal University, dispatched to Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Zhuhai Campus of Beijing Normal University in September, 2019. She has been in charge of English language teaching program for non-English majors since then. She used to be the director of William and Mary Confucius Institute, USA between 2012 and 2016, and taught at University of Artois, France in 2017. She interpreted many transcultural lectures between English and Chinese for distinguished professors such as Léon Vandermeersch, Michel Zink, Wang Ning, Dong Xiaoping, and so on. She offers English courses A Brief History of Chinese Philosophy, and Analects to graduates and undergraduates respectively.

Mr. Luke Nestler

Senior Professional Development Consultant

Luke is a career development consultant at Oxford University Press (China). He holds a CELTA certificate and has worked in the education industry in China for 11 years. He has worked in schools and institutions in China, teaching students at different levels and training teachers from different backgrounds. He has extensive experience as a project manager, working with local education authorities to design and deliver a syllabus that is closely aligned with the national curriculum. Luke is also one of the few project mentors in the world to be accredited by the University of Oxford's School of Further Education 'Oxford Senior Teacher International Study Programme'. He prides himself on improving teaching and has a keen interest in the field of curriculum design.

Mr. Felix Zhao Jia

Senior Program Manager

Felix has been with Oxford University Press for 7 years and has many years of experience working with public and private English language education institutions and schools. Through his understanding of Oxford's historical learning resources and years of contact and observation of the first-line teaching market, he connected Oxford's excellent education programs with the vast number of English learning teachers, students and parents in China. In recent years, in the era of the Internet, he has worked with different teams at Oxford to expand Oxford learning resources to more scenarios, so that Chinese students can get a better learning experience at a lower cost and in a faster way, both inside and outside the classroom.