From 8 March to 30 March, 2021, fifteen Gifu University professors from the faculties in Regional Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Applied Biological Sciences, and River Basin Research Center took part in an online training program in English-Medium Instruction (EMI), which was provided by English Language School, Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta (UofA), Canada.
Normally, the Advanced Professional Program in English-Medium Instruction (APPEMI) program is delivered face-to-face at the UofA. However, due to the global mobility restrictions from COVID-19, the APPEMI program was conducted online. It was the first time for Gifu University professors to participate in this program.
UofA instructor and Gifu participants at the certificate ceremony
Participants took two courses, each of which included seven sessions involving 90-minute synchronous instructions per session through Zoom video conferencing platform.
(1) Course I: Introduction to EMI (Total: 7 days)
This introductory course focused on the foundation for understanding and practice of teaching and learning in EMI context. The topics included: how students learn, introduction to student-centered learning and active learning, the keys to and attitude for EMI by non-native speakers of English. In addition, the cutting-edge techniques for developing intelligible pronunciation in English were delivered using TED Talk videos.
(2) Course II: Instructional Design Basics for Higher Education Contexts (Total: 7 days)
This course focused on the components of effective instructional designing (i.e. lesson planning) for the higher education classroom. The participants gained experience in writing appropriate learning outcomes, designing student-centered learning activities, assessing student learning, where discussions were held among the participants using Zoom. Moreover, the participants were acquainted with up-to-date online tools useful for student-centered learning and efficient assessment. Finally, each participant provided a 10-minute micro-teaching in their respective areas of expertise and obtained valuable feedback from their UofA instructors and other participants.
Both courses were highly organized and effectively implemented through the combination of course contents and guest speaker talks.
Participation in this program will be valuable for training and nurturing highly-skilled global professionals in Gifu University, facilitating classroom teaching involving Japanese and international students studying together in higher education, and increasing the English language and pedagogical proficiency of Japanese instructors involved in the International Joint Degree Programs with international partner universities.
