ERIC Number: EJ1128113
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Dec
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-0120-5927
EISSN: N/A
University Students' English Language Improvements through a Content-Based Course
Gómez Flórez, Erica; Jiménez Díaz, Jhon Jaime; Lopera, Sergio Alonso
HOW, v18 n1 p73-94 Dec 2011
Content-Based Instruction (CBI) may result in improved proficiency in language skills due to the meaningful combination of subject matter and foreign language as a means of communication. This paper shows how university students improved their level of English by means of a content methodology as they attended a course called Topics in Molecular Microbiology. The course was a collaborative enterprise between the School of Microbiology and the School of Languages at a public university. The methodology used was a case study. Five instruments and the MELICET test were used and analyzed in order to check students' language gains. The findings support that seven undergraduate students improved their speaking and listening skills. Finally, this study offers two implications: Universities should offer more CBI courses; language teachers and content teachers should work collaboratively.
Descriptors: College Students, Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, Language Teachers, Course Content, Language Proficiency, Microbiology, Course Descriptions, English (Second Language), College Second Language Programs, Interdisciplinary Approach, Molecular Biology, State Universities, Undergraduate Students, Science Instruction, Case Studies, Language Tests, Achievement Gains, Oral Language, Listening Comprehension, College Faculty, Cooperating Teachers, Spanish, Language of Instruction, Focus Groups, Story Telling, Observation, Qualitative Research
ASOCOPI, the Colombian Association of Teachers of English. Cra 27 A #53-06, oficina 405, Bogota, Colombia. +57-2115018; Fax: +57-2115018. e-mail: asocopicolombia@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.howjournalcolombia.org/index.php/how
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A