September 2010, Volume 14, Number 4

Academics

Shaping how the world learns English

Students study English.

Miami Dade College will be working with Cambridge University Press, the publishing arm of the University of Cambridge, on its upcoming English Profile program aimed at ESL (English as a Second Language) students. MDC's diverse student body, which represents more than 182 countries and more than 94 languages, drew the attention of Cambridge officials interested in learning about MDC’s curricula in foreign languages.

MDC classes set example

Officials recently visited the InterAmerican Campus to gain a better understanding of ESL students in Florida. They observed several ESL classes, spoke with faculty about their educational approach and invited MDC to collaborate on its foreign-languages project as a data contributor and research institution. MDC is the only U.S. institution to have been approached by Cambridge, which has a publishing division devoted to English for academic purposes. Founded in 1584, it is the oldest continually operating publisher and printer in the world with books and other publications that have been translated into more than 70 languages.

“This enormous language policy project will have an impact not only on language teaching in Europe, but throughout the world,” said Dr. Michelle Thomas, director of MDC’s Accelerated Content-Based English (ACE) project.

The ESL/Foreign Languages department at the InterAmerican Campus is one of the largest in the nation and offers an Associate in Science degree in Translation/Interpretation Studies.

More opportunities

In addition to the English for Academic Purposes offerings, students have the option of participating in Project ACE, a fast-track program for those with academic backgrounds. The Foreign Languages Program emphasizes the instruction of other languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish and Haitian-Creole. This enables students to refine and enrich their communication skills in their native languages. 

 

— NM


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