Summertime and the learning is easy

The Dubai Schools Agency, an agency of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, hopes that the classes will cut down the number of university students who need a foundation year.

Approximately 170 young men and women are currently attending the course classes, and as it is summertime the tutors have been determined they should be fun. So students have been encouraged to watch movies, read new books, and do grammar and word quizzes - anything that will increase their vocabulary.

Joanne Yanova of the Academic Bridge Programme at Zayed University said, "Our approach depends on the level of the students. We gave all students a placement test to see where the students stand. They were then put in different classes depending on their ability."

"I admire the students' efforts and commitment. They have just been through the Year 12 exams, done their CEPA tests and yet they are here everyday for more learning which will lead to more testing."

Most Year 12 students need to pass the International English Language Testing System, commonly known as IELTS. This test measures listening, reading, writing and speaking skills, and the summer school is focused on improving the students' IELTS scores.

The Schools Agency chose Zayed University and the British Council as the two prestigious providers of the course. The eight-week course is free of charge and is open only to students who have cleared their year 12 exams with a minimum CEPA score of 160.

Fatma al Marri, CEO of Dubai Schools Agency, said, "This course is an important part of our aim to reduce the need for students to take a foundation year. We would, of course, rather be able to spend the time and money that such foundation courses require on other aspects of education."

We asked some of the course students what they think of the chance to learn during their summer break. Maryam Al Awadhi, a student at Zayed University, said, "I feel I've made the right choice as the course focuses on a little bit of everything. It adds and improves upon everything we've learnt at school."

Fellow student Huda Altaheri said, "It is a good course and is very different from the way CEPA teaches us English." Nouf Al Kaabi is enjoying the bigger vocabulary that the course is offering her while Fatma Rashid said, "It's hard to come here every day - especially in the summer break - but I have to do it if I want to acquire a new skill."

Outside the classrooms and after course hours, the students are encouraged to do extra work related to the course, even if it is only watching an English-language movie.

Jane Mathewson, the person in charge of the British Council course at the Higher Colleges of Technology where the course for boys was held, said, "The boys are very committed to this course in spite of the summer break. Their enthusiasm to learn is really commendable."

Nabil Mohammed said, "I am okay to work and learn all summer as my English is improving. This course has better vocabulary and will help me in being selected for the business course in Dubai's colleges."

Mohamed Abdur Rehman was sure his English was improving and said, "I participate a lot in class and this is a good sign. The vocabulary we are learning is really good. I want to do Engineering in either Dubai or Sharjah and I hope I can eliminate the foundation year altogether."

Omar Al Bedwawi from Hatta Boys School said, "CEPA was good in its own way, but this is exciting. We watch movies, we are motivated to read and we can converse better now. I want to do Electronic Engineering at the Khalifa University or the United Arab Emirates University in Al Ain. I want to be an inventor."