(Suzhou, China, 17th Sept 2010) The An investigation into the curriculum design of EAP courses and non-English major students' development of academic skills in the Chinese context" (Project No: GPA105013) project, led by Dr. Zhoulin Ruan from the Department of Languages and Culture, was recently approved by the Ministry of Education as a key project of foreign language education under the National Education Science Plan (NESP) 2010.
In alignment with new demands on college English teaching posed by the globalisation of world economy and the internationalization of higher education, this project aims to investigate the curriculum design of English for Academic Purposes that are taught to Chinese non-English major students studying at Sino-Foreign cooperative universities, such as XJTLU. The project will also look into learners' variables including study needs, motivation, and learning strateiges, in the devlopment of their academic skills. The outcome of the research project is intended to break new ground for the current reform of college English teaching in China.
Dr. Ruan is currently Associate Professor/Head of Department of Languages and Culture at XJTLU. He obtained a PhD in applied linguistics from the University of Reading in the U.K., where he worked as Sessional Lecturer at the School of Linguistics and Applied Linguistics during his doctoral study and later worked on a university-wide academic skills project as Skills Coordinator at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. He joined XJTLU in August 2006 and has since assumed duties as EAP Tutor and Senior Tutor/Deputy Director of the English Language Center. Dr. Ruan has been one of the main contributors of the EAP curriculum at XJTLU.
The NESP for 2010 covers 14 subjects. Projects are required to focus on significant theoretical and practical issues of fundamental and strategic importance to educational system buildup with Chinese characteristics. They should promote research on conventional, emerging disciplines and innovation, academic perceptions and research methodology.
Dr. Ding Peng, a member of the team, will attend a state-level research training program for researchers of approved subjects at Beijing Normal University from 24th-26th September, which is organized by National Education Science Planning Leader Team Office.
