Collaborative language teaching in English and engineering studies at a technikon

[摘要] This mini-dissertation investigates the possibility of implementingCollaborative Language Teaching (team teaching) for the study ofengineering and English at a technikon. This is done in an effort toaddress the issue of relevant ESL support offered to engineering studentsat a technikon. More specifically, it is an attempt to isolate thosedistinctive characteristics of technikon education and the study ofengineering and English that might affect the implementation of teamteaching at the Technikon Northern Gauteng.Collaborative Language Teaching is discussed in terms of its origins inEnglish for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Content-Based Instruction (CBI).These two proposals for language teaching both emphasise the centralimportance of relevance in second language (SL) learning. Teamteaching is proposed as a possible strategy (procedure) for implementingSL syllabuses that can provide a visible connection between two distinctdisciplines like engineering and English. Specific characteristics are alsodiscussed with regard to the use of the strategy. It is indicated that,because this strategy is a departure from the familiar, some difficultymight be experienced in an attempt to implement it. The knowledge,attitudes and commitment of educators will have an effect on whetherthey would be willing to become involved in team teaching. It will furtherinfluence the quality of the team teaching relationship, and subsequently,the success of team teaching.The empirical component of the study employs a questionnaire in order todetermine the knowledge of Engineering and English lecturers about teamteaching, as well as their attitudes towards the possible implementationof the strategy. Based on the findings of the literature review and theempirical study, the dissertation proposes general guidelines for theimplementation of team teaching at a technikon, as well asrecommendations for the implementation of the strategy at the TechnikonNorthern Gauteng.

[发布机构] North-West University