ENHANCING FOREIGN LANGUAGE- MEDIUM PROGRAMMES IN HIGHER EDUCATION A PROJECT REPORT ANNA ZELENKOVÁ - MÁRIA SPIŠIAKOVÁ Faculty of Economics, MBU in Banská Bystrica

Aim To introduce the project „Enhancing Foreign Language-Medium Study Programmes at MBU” – activity: developing professional competences of teachers teaching in these programmes

Project activities 1.Creating new joint-degree study programmes 2.Innovating present courses in foreign languages 3.Teacher training and building a self- study centre for foreign languages

Activity 3 Aimed at students’ needs Satisfying teachers’ needs To create a space for autonomous learning and improving language and specific-content knowledge

Main prerequisite Professionally prepared teacher Teacher training courses for teachers participating in study programmes in foreign languages (English, German)

Teacher-training Preparatory phase 1. Needs analysis (questionnaire, 180 teachers, language and pedag. needs) 2. Course design  Foreign language improvement  Pedagogy / methodology  Intercultural competence Realisation phase 4 courses in English, 1 in German

Content : language pedagogy intercultural competence

Topics co-operative learing and team work facilitation of discussion and academic debate effective questions supporting learning learning by solving problems and by tasks providing feedback understandig intercultural differences classroom management in a English alternative assessment methods

Language competence Use of English in the teaching process and academic situations Presenting and communicating views and opinions Communicating in intercultural environment

Pedagogic competence Based on constructivist theory of learning Learning theories (Gardner’s model) Innovative methodology (learner- and learning-centred) Development of student’s autonomy (self-study) Innovation of teaching materials

Intercultural competence understanding cultural differences and cultural diversity cultural values and beliefs that influence behaviour body language across cultures culture in the classroom

Trainers´experience Teachers appreciated: Acquired knowledge about innovative methodology by practical applications of methods Approaches to syllabus design: defining learning outcomes communication learning outcomes monitoring and assessment practical classroom management

Trainers´experience Teachers appreciated: importance of students´reflection on the ways of learning knowledge about learning theories and learning styles (Gardner´s multiple intelligences theory) being in the role of learners

Contribution to the strategic goal of the project changes in and restructuralisation of curricula improved quality of higher education Higher competitiveness of university on the European education market

Thanky you. Questions?