Wants, needs & perceptions ESP Teacher Training in the

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Wants, needs perceptions ESP Teacher Training
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Dr Abdulkarim Al Nujaidi,
• Head of English Language Curriculum Design
• GOTEVOT, KSA
• Phil Dexter, ELT Consultant
• British Council, KSA

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GOTEVOT Training Initiatives why necessary?

• 50 Institutions (approx) 600 teachers
• A number with MA and PhDs IN ELT but majority
  with no systematic teacher training
• Mixed level of motivation among teachers
• Need is to meet strategic importance of English
  across GOTEVOT programmes diversification
  skilled workforce

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Our Training Package to date

• One month basic methodology training in UK
  20042007
• 250 teachers
• One month advanced methodology training in UK
  2007
• 20
  teachers
• One week training in Saudi Arabia 2005-2007
• 200 teachers

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Training in Saudi Arabia the package

• Communicative approaches theory practice
• Approaches to ESP materials development
• Learner Centred vs Teacher Centred teaching
• Lesson planning and supplementing the coursebook
• Multi-level and Mixed Ability challenges and
  solutions
• E-learning
• Classroom practices the role of the mother
  tongue
• Course feedback

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Training in Saudi Arabia - Issues

• Relationship between-
• Lack of pre-service training
• Need to understand methodology
• Need for practical classroom solutions

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Training in Saudi Arabia - Issues

• Differences in perceptions between trainers and
  trainees-
• Beliefs
• Role of the teacher
• Level of students
• Importance of English within the GOTEVOT system

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4 Teacher Training Challenges in GOTEVOT

• How much subject knowledge do ELT teachers need
  to have?
• How does this relate to a focus on a learner
  centred approach?
• What attitude can we take to the role of the
  mother tongue in an EFL/ESP situation?
• What key elements of teaching training could be
  prioritised in an ESP context?

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Survey sample

• 92 ESP teachers from colleges of technology and
  technical Institutes in Saudi Arabia
• Age group
• 4 under 25
• 53.3 26-30
• 33.7 31-40
• 7.6 Above 40

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Survey sample
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Survey sample
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Survey sample
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Survey sample
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Teacher Preparation
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Teacher Preparation
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Teacher Preparation
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Teacher Preparation
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Teacher Preparation
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Teaching Preference
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English used in class
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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Perceptions of need for training
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conducting needs analysis
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conducting needs analysis
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Training Needs

• We need to have a training program on ESP or a
  program in TESOL
• Need more training programs during the scholastic
  year to refresh our memories teaching practices
• We need training that touches the students'
  problems
• More training on ESP for teachers abroad

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Training Needs

• more programs like the SA training that
  concentrate on communication which most teachers
  lack
• we are not chosen for training
• No training for us at GOTEVOT
• More training on ESP, more training programs
• we need more methods to teach English

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Training Needs

• we need courses abroad in English speaking
  countries and Ph.D. programs
• We need training on how to use teaching aids
• Training on ESP methodology and developing
  speaking skills

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Problems

• Heavy teaching load
• Large classes
• Students level and carelessness
• Outdated textbooks
• Poor equipment Lack of teaching aids like
  computers and data show and good speakers
• Some ESP textbooks are confusing and difficult to
  teach

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Our Future Vision for ELT Teacher Training

• Needs based systematic training in KSA
• 2 weeks in summer ongoing training during the
  year
• Basic Methodology course in UK
• Preliminary to advanced methodology course
• Advanced Methodology course in UK
• Identification of trainers to cascade training
  with defined roles trainer training programmes
  in Saudi Arabia

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• Dr Abdulkarim Al-Nujaidi
• anujaidi_at_hotmail.com
• Phil Dexter
• phil.dexter_at_sa.britishcouncil.org