Cultural Bias in University Entrance Examinations in the UAE

Cultural Bias in University Entrance Examinations in the UAE PDF Author: Hilda Freimuth
Publisher: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
ISBN: 9948230124
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description
This study discusses whether the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) should continue to be used as the benchmark for entry into higher academic studies in the UAE. With students expressing concerns that the exam is culturally biased, the author looks into the reasons behind this perception.

Cultural Bias in University Entrance Examinations in the UAE

Cultural Bias in University Entrance Examinations in the UAE PDF Author: Hilda Freimuth
Publisher: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
ISBN: 9948230124
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Book Description
This study discusses whether the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) should continue to be used as the benchmark for entry into higher academic studies in the UAE. With students expressing concerns that the exam is culturally biased, the author looks into the reasons behind this perception.

Factors Influencing Student Choice of Engineering Majors in the United Arab Emirates

Factors Influencing Student Choice of Engineering Majors in the United Arab Emirates PDF Author: Hilda Freimuth
Publisher: Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research
ISBN: 9948391446
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 27

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Book Description
With a current lack of Emirati engineers in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), this study investigates what motivates Emirati students in their choice of majors. The study grew out of the researcher's personal experiences participating in Khalifa University of Science and Technology's entrance interviews. These interviews revealed that a significant number of students chose engineering for reasons not typically found in the West. To further investigate this phenomenon, a campus survey was conducted along with group interviews. This paper explores the development of education in the UAE, the reasons why students choose certain majors in the West, as well as examining student motivation in choosing engineering majors both in the West and in the UAE. A detailed discussion of the findings and their implications then follows. The paper finds that, in contrast to the West, one's duty to nation and family was the most important factor in student choice. To increase the number of Emirati engineers, university campaigns might consider redirecting their focus to the wants, needs, and desires of the leadership of the nation. Emirati youth listen to, respect, and honor the leadership of their country and families, and harbor a sincere desire to help the nation in any way possible.

Perspectives on Language Assessment Literacy

Perspectives on Language Assessment Literacy PDF Author: Sahbi Hidri
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000075796
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
Perspectives on Language Assessment Literacy describes how the elements of language assessment literacy can help teachers gather information about when and how to assess learners, and about using the appropriate assessment tools to interpret results in a fair way. It provides highlights from past and current research, descriptions of assessment processes that enhance LAL, case studies from classrooms, and suggestions for professional dialogue and collaboration. This book will help to foster continuous learning, empower learners and teachers and make them more confident in their assessment tasks, and reassure decision makers that what is going on in assessment meets international benchmarks and standards. It addresses issues like concepts and challenges of assessment, the impacts of reflective feedback on assessment, the ontogenetic nature of assessment literacy, the reliability of classroom-based assessment, and interfaces between teaching and assessment. It fills this gap in the literature by addressing the current status and future challenges of language assessment literacy. This book will be of great interest for academics, researchers, and post-graduate students in the fields of language assessment literacy and English language teaching.

Linguistic Identities in the Arab Gulf States

Linguistic Identities in the Arab Gulf States PDF Author: Sarah Hopkyns
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000595897
Category : Foreign Language Study
Languages : en
Pages : 231

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Book Description
Combining empirical and theoretical approaches from a range of disciplines, Linguistic Identities in the Arab Gulf States examines current issues surrounding language and identity in the Arab Gulf states. Organized in four parts, the book addresses the overarching theme of ‘waves of change’ in relation to language and power, linguistic identities in the media, identities in transition, and language in education. The authors of each chapter are renowned experts in their field and contribute to furthering our understanding of the dynamic, changeable, and socially constructed nature of identities and how identities are often intricately woven into and impacted by local and global developments. Although the book geographically covers Gulf region contexts, many of the concepts and dilemmas discussed are relevant to other highly diverse nations globally. For example, debates surrounding tolerance, diversity, neoliberal ideologies in English-medium instruction (EMI), media representation of language varieties, and sociolinguistic inequalities during coronavirus communication are pertinent to regions outside the Gulf, too. This volume will particularly appeal to students and scholars interested in issues around language and identity, gender, language policy and planning, multilingualism, translingual practice, language in education, and language ideologies.

English as a Medium of Instruction on the Arabian Peninsula

English as a Medium of Instruction on the Arabian Peninsula PDF Author: Mark Wyatt
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000868001
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 221

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Book Description
Focusing on English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in the Arab Gulf states, the authors consider both sociolinguistic and pedagogical perspectives, and explore practical implications. This edited volume features chapters covering how teachers are negotiating the linguistic challenges posed by EMI; issues of ownership, choice and agency; the scaffolding of academic literacies; how to support the development of content teachers’ pedagogical content knowledge in EMI settings as well as the benefits of a bilingual education. Chapter authors all have extensive local experience that they draw upon reflectively in their writing. Policy-makers, teachers and teacher educators wondering how they can best balance the need to develop competence in English in students of all ages on the Arabian Peninsula in a globalizing world, together with the concern to nurture Arabic language, culture and identity, will gain rich insights from this book. Postgraduates and researchers exploring issues surrounding EMI, both locally and internationally, will benefit from the arguments presented in this volume.

Language, Identity and Education on the Arabian Peninsula

Language, Identity and Education on the Arabian Peninsula PDF Author: Louisa Buckingham
Publisher: Multilingual Matters
ISBN: 1783096616
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 254

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Book Description
This collection examines the urban multilingual realities of inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula in the early 21st century from the perspectives of learners, teachers and researchers. Focusing on both public and private spheres, it considers the importance of both English and immigrants’ languages in a context of rapid socioeconomic development. Extending beyond English–Arabic societal bilingualism, the language practices of the Peninsula’s citizens and residents serve multiple purposes in their daily lived realities. Chapters on home and heritage languages, identity, ELT, commercial signage and academic publishing contribute to a deepening understanding of the inherent linguistic diversity in these dynamic societies.

The Impact of Global English on Cultural Identities in the United Arab Emirates

The Impact of Global English on Cultural Identities in the United Arab Emirates PDF Author: Sarah Hopkyns
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000059618
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
This book provides a nuanced portrait of the complexities found within the cultural and linguistic landscape of the United Arab Emirates, unpacking the ever-shifting dynamics between English and Arabic in today’s era of superdiversity. Employing a qualitative phenomenological approach which draws on a rich set of data from questionnaires to focus groups with Emirati students, Emirati schoolteachers, and expatriate university teachers, Hopkyns problematizes the common binary East-West paradigm focused on the tension between the use of English and Arabic in the UAE. Key issues emerging from the resulting analysis include the differing attitudes towards English and in particular, English Medium Instruction, the impact of this tension on identities, and the ways in which the two languages are employed in distinct ways on an everyday scale. The volume will particularly appeal to students and scholars interested in issues around language and identity, language policy and planning, multilingualism, translanguaging, and language in education.

Revisiting EFL Assessment

Revisiting EFL Assessment PDF Author: Rahma Al-Mahrooqi
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319326015
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 358

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Book Description
This book examines acknowledged practices and demonstrates to teachers how to make the most out of their assessment practices. It also explores different assessment methods for skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. Forecasting the future of assessment and where concepts like alternative assessment and dynamic assessment are heading, it also shows how relatively new teaching methods such as communicative methodologies and problem-based learning are reflected in assessment. This book represents a forum where contributors have presented their research and innovative ideas and practices on the important topic of assessment and opened a fresh debate on it. It offers an excellent reference guide for EFL teachers, practitioners, researchers and testing and assessment specialists. Each chapter examines central issues in assessment and their connection with teaching and learning in EFL contexts.

‏تعليم و التدريب في الشرق الأوسط

‏تعليم و التدريب في الشرق الأوسط PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 244

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Book Description


Hui Muslims in China

Hui Muslims in China PDF Author: Gui Rong
Publisher: Leuven University Press
ISBN: 9462700664
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 392

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Book Description
Introduction to Hui ethnic diversity in China As yet very little academic research has been done into the Hui people, a predominantly Muslim ethnic group in China. With particular attention to the Yunnan district community, this collection of contributions skilfully presents a wealth of information on Hui Muslims and introduces readers to the issues of Hui ethnic diversity in China. Reviewing the many aspects of the religious, educational and cultural life of Hui Muslims in China, the authors provide an ethnography in which becomes clear how traditional institutions and everyday life are adapted to local customs with respect to the Islamic identity. At the same time, the relationship between the China Republic and the Hui, an official minority of China, is discussed thoroughly. Contributors: Lesley R. Turnbull (New York University), Liang Zhang (Yunnan University), Ross Holder (Trinity College Dublin), Aaron Glasserman (Columbia University), Frauke Drewes (University of Münster), Chuang Ma (Yunnan Open University), Yu Feng (Yunnan University), Suchart Setthamalinee (Puyap University)