English Program
Program overview
The Department of English Language and Literature (DELL) was established in 1987. It started offering courses for both foundation students and other students majoring in English Language and Literature in the College of Education. In 2006, the college of Education was transformed to the College of Applied Sciences under the Ministry of Higher Education (MoH) and it is still offering the degree course in English Language and Literature specialization. At present DELL offers courses in three main streams namely. ELT, EAP/ESP and General Foundation programme. It has a total of 65 teaching staff from all around the globe. The B.Ed English program aims to prepare qualified teachers academically and educationally to teach English in Omani schools and across the region. A graduate of this program can expect career opportunities in both government and private educational sectors where English is an academic programme.As an extension of service to the Omani community at Rustaq, English department also conducts IELTS exam at the college on every month in collaboration with British Council Muscat and other International organizations.‘Community English Language teaching Programme’ is another service from the English Department to the local community in which we offer free English courses ranging from basics to highly advanced level of local employees.
Vision
The vision of the department is for a faculty that is an active part of the Omani and Global Education Community. To achieve this, DELL seeks to provide the support to teachers to further their professional development and through this aid in the higher education of our students.
Mission
Department of English Language and Literature aims to prepare academically and educationally qualified teachers to teach English in Omani schools. It also aims to provide a well-resourced English Language learning environment for students to graduate as professionally qualified for the job market and be prepared to take their place as key players in advancing the future of Oman.
Goals
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To provide students with a comprehensive grounding in English language education to support their future career.
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To graduate professionally qualified and trained teachers as key players in advancing the future of Oman.
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To afford the opportunity for Omani students to pursues their studies internationally.
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To provide an international standard and quality of education to the students of the Sultanate of Oman.
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To train English literate IT and Business graduates.
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To provide a professional faculty of teachers and lecturers.
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To provide delineated lines of professional development for faculty members.
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To provide relevant and professional assistance to students in the pursuit of their studies.
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To provide a 21st century technology class-room.
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To provide a sound pedagogical base to the English Language Programme.
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To continue to develop all facets of the department, faculty and the teaching progress to afford student and faculty member alike with an international environment.
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To continue to explore external Oman and international connections and associations designed to further enhance current and future English language programmes.
Important comments for Accepted Students:
Program Structure:
The Foundation Program offers an integrated English and Study Skills course, and separate Maths and Computer Skills courses. These components are described below.
|
Code
|
Name
|
Contact
hours /week
|
Prerequisite
|
|
ENGLISH & STUDY SKILLS
|
|
ENGL 3001
(Level ‘D’)
|
General English
Skills: Beginner
|
20-24*
|
None
|
|
ENGL 4001
(Level ‘C’)
|
General English
Skills: Elementary
|
20
|
Completion – not passing – of ENGL 3001 or
equivalent PT entry score
|
|
ENGL 5001 (Level ‘B’)
|
General English Skills: Pre- intermediate
|
10/11**
|
Pass in ENGL 4001 or equivalent PT entry score
|
|
ENGL 5002
(Level ‘B’)
|
Academic English
Skills: Pre- intermediate
|
9/10**
|
Pass in ENGL 4001 or equivalent PT entry score
|
|
ENGL 6001
(Level ‘A’)
|
General English
Skills: Intermediate
|
10/11**
|
Overall pass in ENGL 5001 + 5002 or
equivalent PT entry score
|
|
ENGL 6002
(Level ‘A’)
|
Academic English
Skills: Intermediate
|
9/10**
|
|
COMPUTER SKILLS
|
|
COMP
4001
|
Computer Skills:
Basic
|
2
|
None
|
|
COMP
5001
|
Computer Skills:
Advanced
|
2
|
Pass in COMP 4001 or equivalent PT entry
score
|
|
MATHS
|
|
MATH 4001
|
Basic Maths
|
4
|
None
|
|
MATH 5001
|
Applied Maths
|
3
|
Pass in MATH 4001 or equivalent PT entry score
|
|
MATH 5002
|
Pure Maths
|
3
|
Pass in MATH 4001 or equivalent PT entry score
|
Table 1: Foundation Course Structure
*No Maths or Computer Skills courses will be timetabled during the semester in which ENGL 3001 is taken so a further 4 hours per week would be available for ENGL 3001, if college circumstances permitted.
**The total allocation for English in Levels B and A is 20 hours. This may be divided between AES and GES as colleges see fit though the most likely division would be GES/AES 10/10 or 11/9.
Entry Requirements:
ENGLISH
Initial entry will be determined by placement testing carried out in September. Students will be sorted into five groups.
|
Beginner (equivalent of IELTS
2.5 or below)
|
ENGL 3001
|
|
Elementary (equivalent of
IELTS 3.0)
|
ENGL 4001
|
|
Pre-intermediate (IELTS 3.5)
|
ENGL 5001 & 5002
|
|
Lower-intermediate (IELTS
4.0)
|
ENGL 6001 & 6002
|
|
Intermediate (IELTS 4.5)
|
To English Challenge Test. Students who pass the Challenge Test,
(and have also satisfied the requirements for Maths and Computer
Skills), will enter Year 1. Those who fail enter ENGL 6001 & 6002.
|
Table 2: Placement for English
Students who take and fail the English component of Foundation will be permitted to re-enter within one academic year on passing the English Challenge Test, which will be administered three times only per year, (September, January and May).
COMPUTER SKILLS
Initial entry will be determined by placement testing carried out in September. Students will be sorted into three groups.
|
Insufficient score in Basic Computer Skills Test
|
Computer Skills: Basic
|
|
Insufficient score in Advanced Computer Skills
Test
|
Computer Skills: Advanced
|
|
Sufficient score in Advanced Computer Skills
Test
|
To Computer Skills Challenge Test. Students who
pass the Challenge Test will enter Year 1. Those who fail enter Computer Skills: Advanced.
|
Table 3: Placement for Computer Skills
Students who take and fail the Computer Skills component of Foundation will be permitted to reenter within one academic year on passing the Computer Skills Challenge Test Which will be administered three times only per year, (September, January and May).
MATHS
Initial entry will be determined by placement testing carried out in September. Students will be sorted into three groups.
|
Insufficient score in Basic Maths Test
|
Basic Maths
|
|
Sufficient score in Basic Maths Test Insufficient
score in Applied/Pure Maths Test
|
Applied Maths or Pure Maths
|
|
Sufficient score in Basic Maths Test Sufficient
score in Applied/Pure Maths Test
|
To Maths Challenge Test. Those who pass the
Challenge Test will enter Year 1, assuming they have also met the requirements for English and IT. Those who fail enter Applied or Pure Maths.
|
Table 4: Placement for Maths
Students who take and fail the Maths component of Foundation will be permitted to re-enter within one academic year on passing the Maths Challenge Test, which will be administered three times only per year, (September, January and May).
Graduate Attributes:
Department of English Language & Literature (DELL)
DELL ELT Graduate Attributes (Transferable Skills) as follows:
GA1: Students can learn autonomously and work independently, and are equipped with skills to keep up with the trends of teaching and learning and good self-management skills and awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses in English language.
GA2: The ability to critically analyze, synthesize, appraise, interpret and evaluate information from a multitude of sources and perspectives to formulate new knowledge and understanding of English language and linguistics and pedagogy.
GA3: The ability highly articulate individuals capable of communicating and presenting sound and well-structured arguments and ideas effectively in oral, visual and written forms different purposes and context audience in English.
GA4: The ability to use technology in teaching and learning appropriately and to use different learning
GA5: The ability to think critically and to able to apply theoretical linguistic knowledge to unfamiliar situations, all issue within the field and cope with uncertainty.
GA6: Demonstrate highly developed team workers with excellent interpersonal skills and an appreciation for planning, sharing and working towards common goals and objectives.
GA7: A thorough and in-depth knowledge and understanding of English language, linguistics, teaching methodology and literature and their practical applications in an EFL classroom in an innovative way.
GA8: The ability to have high level of ethical and professional conduct and awareness of relevant codes and practices in teaching and learning and ability to apply professional skills.
GA9: The ability to have written, verbal communication, research and presentation skills in English.
GA10: The ability to identify problems and solve them independently.