EAP in China: A case study of a paradigm shift in Shanghai College English programmes

Author(s):  
Jigang Cai

Against the backdrop of the internationalization of higher education, Shanghai tertiary institutions in mainland China implemented a paradigm shift from test-driven EGP (English for General Purposes) to EAP (English for Academic Purposes) in 2013. Based on the needs analysis of specialist departments and pedagogical constraints, a hybrid EAP approach was adopted to fend off general criticism of EAP practices and hindrances from policy makers of different levels. To facilitate the shift, we used a top-down approach with Shanghai government support, designed an EAP-focused curriculum, planned EAP teacher-training programmes, organized project-based and publication-oriented student forums and conferences, developed EAP tests, and created a China EAP Association. Some implications for the paradigm shift have finally emerged from the findings.

CONVERTER ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 642-657
Author(s):  
Ruifeng Lyu, Jie Chen

This research aimed to investigate the views on reflection (one aspect of PCK) of six Chinese in-service teachers teaching College English at two universities in the south of China by using a qualitative multiple case study approach. In order to understand the characteristics of the participant teachers’ views on reflection so as to make suggestions for in-service College English teacher education and development in mainland China, three rounds of data collection (pre-, in-, and post-class teaching observation) were conducted and the College English classroom teaching content analysis approach was applied in the data analysis across the cases. The data revealed that the participant teachers generally had a high level of skill in technical reflection but at times were unskilled at reflection-in-action. This case study offers an exemplar for teachers to reflect on their own teaching. It also can guide teacher educators, educational administrators, and policy makers to support teachers’ self-reflection and thus improve student learning.


Author(s):  
Lori Stahlbrand

This paper traces the partnership between the University of Toronto and the non-profit Local Food Plus (LFP) to bring local sustainable food to its St. George campus. At its launch, the partnership represented the largest purchase of local sustainable food at a Canadian university, as well as LFP’s first foray into supporting institutional procurement of local sustainable food. LFP was founded in 2005 with a vision to foster sustainable local food economies. To this end, LFP developed a certification system and a marketing program that matched certified farmers and processors to buyers. LFP emphasized large-scale purchases by public institutions. Using information from in-depth semi-structured key informant interviews, this paper argues that the LFP project was a disruptive innovation that posed a challenge to many dimensions of the established food system. The LFP case study reveals structural obstacles to operationalizing a local and sustainable food system. These include a lack of mid-sized infrastructure serving local farmers, the domination of a rebate system of purchasing controlled by an oligopolistic foodservice sector, and embedded government support of export agriculture. This case study is an example of praxis, as the author was the founder of LFP, as well as an academic researcher and analyst.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.


Author(s):  
Dinh Thi Thanh Van ◽  
Nguyen Thuc Trang

Financial inclusion and startup are two topics, which recently get attention of academic researchers and policy makers in Vietnam. One of the important factors for setting up a successful startup is the financial capability of the owners. Therefore, financial inclusion has a strong correlation with startup establishment. This article tested the effects of several factors in financial index (findex) developed by World Bank on startup establishment in some OECD countries. The result showed that borrowing from friends and relatives along with from credit institutions and opening a debit account at banks have  significant impacts on startup establishment in these countries. Finally, the article presented several recommendations for policy makers to stimulate the startup growth in Vietnam in the next time. Key words startup, financial inclusion, startup establishment References 1. Colman Msoka (2015), “Financial inclusion and microfinance in Tanzania”, Inclusive growth: Tanzania Country Report2. Endeavor-GEM, 2011, “High-Impact Entrepreneurship Global Report”3. Eric Ries, 2012, “The Lean Startup” book”, http://www.stpia.ir/files/The%20Lean%20Startup%20.pdf 4. European Startup Monitor, 2015, “European Startup Monitor 2015”, http://europeanstartupmonitor.com/fileadmin/presse/download/esm_2015.pdf 5. Jennifer Dahlin Ivarsson (2014), “Mobile-banking and entrepreneurship: Is there a link? A case study on South Africa”, Nationalekonomiska Institutionen, Box 7082, ISSN 0283 – 15896. Maher Al-Mahouq (2010), “Success factors of small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs): The case of Jordan”, Anadol University jourmal of social sciences, Cilt/Vol.: 10 – Say/No:1-16 (2010)7. Mohammed S.Chowdhury (2013), “Success factors of entrepreneurs of small and medium sized enterprises: Evidence from Banladesh”, Business and Economic Research, ISSN 2162 – 4860, 2013, Vol.3, No.2.8. OECD, 2015, “Entrepreneurship at a Glance 2015”9. Roman Angela, 2011, “SME’s sector access to finance: An overview”10. Yao Wang, 2014, “What are the biggest obstacles to growth of SMEs in developing countries? An empirical evidence from an enterprise survey”, JED 210 Paper


Author(s):  
Pia Liv Russell

This interdisciplinary case study explores information literacy policy in Ontario’s public education system. Using interviews with policy makers and a rhetorical analysis of information literacy policy documents, it finds Ontario’s current information literacy policy inadequate to the task of providing equitable student access to opportunities for information literacy development.Une étude cas interdisciplinaire explore la politique de littératie informationnelle du système d’éducation publique de l’Ontario. En utilisant des entrevues avec les décideurs et une analyse rhétorique des documents sur la politique de littératie informationnelle, il est démontré que la politique de littératie informationnelle actuelle de l’Ontario est inappropriée pour la mission qui vise à offrir aux étudiants un accès équitable aux possibilités de développement de la littératie informationnelle. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farida Hanun

This study aims to obtain a description related to the learning of PAI by using ICT and how the impact of the use of ICT on PAI learning systems in the classroom. The research method uses a qualitative approach in the integrated Islamic high school Ummul Quro Bogor, West Java. The results showed that a) there were four stages of using ICT in the learning process, namely; emerging, applying, integrating dan transforming. PAI teachers are already at the integrating stage. In other words, ICT has been integrated into the PAI learning curriculum. b) supporting factors for the use of ICT are the existence of ICT support facilities, the availability of qualified educators, the commitment of the school to implement ICT in every PAI learning. c) Inhibiting factors in the use of ICT are aspects of financing ICT facilities require a large budget. Some elderly teachers have difficulty using ICT in the learning process. Besides, the internet network is unstable. d) The impact of the use of ICT is very significant on PAI learning process. e) the existence of ICT devices not only as a support but already as an important component in the education system. The research led to the recommendation of the need for government support in the form of concern for ICT in terms of policies, facilities, workforce, budget, and organizing training in the use of ICT for PAI teachers to improve their professionalism. Therefore, further research is suggested regarding the effectiveness of the use of ICT in the learning process of PAI.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-109
Author(s):  
Heba Aziz ◽  
Osman El-Said ◽  
Marike Bontenbal

The objective of this study was to measure the level of cruise tourists' satisfaction as well as the relationship between satisfaction, recommendation, return intention, and expenditure. Also, the impact of factors such as nationality, length of the visit, and age on the level of expenditure was measured. An empirical approach for data collection was followed and a total of 152 questionnaires were collected from cruise tourists visiting the capital city of Oman, Muscat, as cruise liners anchor at Sultan Qaboos Port. Results of the regression analysis supported the existence of a causal relationship between satisfaction with destination attributes, overall satisfaction, recommendation, return intention, and expenditure. It was found that the average expenditure varies according to age and length of the visit. Recommendations for policy makers were suggested on how to increase the role of cruise tourism in strengthening the economy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihong Kuang ◽  
Guojun Zeng ◽  
Yunbo Nie ◽  
Yan Cai ◽  
Jin Li ◽  
...  

UNSTRUCTURED The COVID-19 pandemic spurred unprecedented progress on a paradigm shift to telemedicine to limit exposure to the virus. Telemedicine has many benefits. In the West China Hospital of Sichuan University, we use it to do COVID-19 related tele-educations to health professionals and general population, tele-diagnosis, online treatment and internet-based drug prescription and delivery. However, at our practices, we are noticing that many older adults could not make appointment with doctors due to their difficulty using the internet-based platform. We worried that older adults who need healthcare the most are not well prepared for this rapid change. We need to pay attention to avoid causing treatment disparities for vulnerable older adults 60 years of age and over. Researchers and policy makers should work together to study effective strategies and make proper policies to mitigate barriers older adults face when using telemedicine.


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