EAP Project class, Sem. 2, 2011EAP Project class, Sem. 2, 2011

The XJTLU EAP 2010 Student survey:

What were the results?

Background Background

XJTLU: ‘Western’ style (British) educational practices such as:

–Task-based Learning–Smaller class/tutorial sizes–Emphasis on student autonomy

Effect on students?

• 2010: Student questionnaire survey

• Designed to provide information for both students and staff.

Evaluating the educational module

Purpose of the survey:Purpose of the survey:

1. To obtain information:

•How much students learned in semester 1

•Student study and self-study practices

•Student opinions of their studies

•Student – teacher interactions

•Student opinions on classroom materials

2. To identify ways to improve the syllabus

3. To identify areas for further investigation by the Staff-student Liaison Committee

ParticipantsParticipants

• 1,658 first year students • 98% Chinese nationality• 2% international

The procedureThe procedure

• Anonymous

• In-class questionnaire

• Presented by PowerPoint slides

• 50 questions

• MCQ-card answers

• Generally satisfied with level of most new skills

• Various degrees of progress noted in all skills

Students’ opinions of their Students’ opinions of their new Academic skillsnew Academic skills

Areas of good progress Areas of good progress Writing in general

Essay structure

General reading skills

Academic vocabulary

Following lectures

Giving opinions

Areas of least progressAreas of least progress

All teacher-related questions All teacher-related questions

received an average of over 4.received an average of over 4.

Student opinion of teachersStudent opinion of teachers

Most students felt that their teachers:

Are responsive and approachable

Explain tasks well

Indicate when students should speak

Give useful feedback

Frequency of self-studyFrequency of self-study

The majority of students need to improve their self-study habits:

Percent of students reporting each rate:

• Never: 8.6% Seldom: 41.2%• Sometimes: 40.1% Often:

8.7%

Most students study only sometimes or seldom

Seldom

Opinions of books and Opinions of books and materialsmaterials

Most useful: Teacher handouts ICE materials

Least useful: ‘Grammar in Use’ textbook

SummarySummary

Teacher interaction Progress in most aspects of EAP

studies The majority of the teaching

materials

Areas of student satisfaction

Two areas for reviewTwo areas for review

• The ‘Grammar in Use’ bookThe ‘Grammar in Use’ book

UsefulnessUsefulness Teaching methodsTeaching methods

• Autonomous learning and organised Autonomous learning and organised self-studyself-study

RecommendationsRecommendations

Research into student attitudes

• Towards self-study • Towards the ‘Grammar in Use’ book

More ELC and ICE materials

The EndThe End

Any Questions?