INTRODUCTION
SEAMEO RETRAC offers a wide range of special English programs including: Communicative English, Business English, Business Writing, Presentation Skills and Academic English (for international test preparation: TOEFL, IELTS, and TOEIC). In addition, tailored courses are provided to meet the specific requirements of clients and the needs of course participants.
Following are the features of the program design and implementation:
Instructors
SEAMEO RETRAC has a core faculty of approximately 150 experienced native English speaking and Vietnamese instructors of English with bachelors and masters degrees in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Of this highly qualified, experienced and motivated team, instructors who have strong background and substantial experience in teaching English to professional adults within the corporate sector will be selected to teach the courses.
Materials
Up-to-date materials and resources, published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, Macmillan Education and Cengage Learning, are integrated with authentic documents provided by the company to assure relevant and realistic content.
Methodology
The Communicative Approach in combination with the most innovative teaching methods wherever applicable will be used to make the learning stimulating, productive, and efficient. Students’ learning capacity will be further enhanced through the application of Information Communication Technology in teaching (i.e., LCD, lessons in PowerPoint presentations and through ISB, and relevant software for language teaching and learning). Learners will also be provided with opportunities to study independently in the multimedia computer lab and library to practice the language skills and increase self-directed learning ability.
Prior to a training course, clients are provided with full consultation to customize the course in accordance with their specific aims and objectives.
The course will be conducted either at SEAMEO RETRAC or at the learners’ institutions.
Each student, who successfully completes a course (i.e. who meets all the given requirements and the rules of the course), receives a Certificate of Achievement from SEAMEO RETRAC.
Report system
The following reports will be sent to the clients for their information when necessary:
Placement test report: a detailed report on the learners’ language proficiency level which helps decide the appropriate language level of the class learners will be placed in.
Interim report: a report that includes such details as learner attendance and their language progress.
Final or End-of-course report: Upon completion of the course, a comprehensive report is compiled based on the program instructors’ assessment of the learners’ performance and on individual contributions made by each learner throughout the program toward their own progress.
Assessment
A systematic evaluation and assessment scheme is set up, integral to the structure and successful completion of the Program. Assessment is carried out in three forms:
This assessment, including a written test plus an oral interview conducted before the program commencement, is to:
- determine the learners’ current level of linguistic and communicative competence;
- help identify the learners’ weaknesses; and
- provide a benchmark for improvement over the period of the course.
This type of evaluation aims to measure the learners’ on-going progress and, more importantly, identify the teaching and learning areas that need more focus and/or necessary adjustment for improvement and is performed in two parallel components:
- The course instructors will observe, record and evaluate:
- the learners’ participation and performance in classroom activities and
- the learners’ commitment and responsibility in the course
- the learners’ study results through each learning period of the course or after finishing each learning skill.
- The Course Coordinator will:
- conduct regular class observation to evaluate the teachers’ and learners’ performance
- assure that the course objectives are met.
- have separate meetings with the learners, the instructors and the employer to receive feedback and provide continual diagnosis of the learners specific needs
A final exam administered at the end of each course will serve as an official indicator of the learners’ achievement. The purpose of this achievement test is to identify whether and where progress has been made in terms of the language learning goals and objectives.
CONTACT
For further information, please contact:
1. Dr. Nguyen Thi Thuy Trang, Deputy Dean, Division of Foreign Studies
Email: ntttrang@vnseameo.org
Tel: ( 84 -28 ) 3824 5618 (Ext. 117)
2. Ms. Mach Buu Hien, Special Programs Manager
Email: mbhien@vnseameo.org
Tel: ( 84 -28 ) 3824 5618 (Ext. 230)