Schedule: 2009-09-12 (15:00 - 15:45)
Parallel Session 6 (Room A-25)

Title: Establishing the theoretical parameters in designing an online preparatory course for the Cambridge First Certificate in English Examination
Authors: Antonio Martínez Sáez, Ana María Gimeno Sanz, Jose Macario de Siqueira Rocha
Abstract: In an attempt to comply with the Bologna Process, the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia will be implementing a number of steps to ensure that its students become independent speakers of English and graduate from University with a level equivalent to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This implies that they must be able to understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation; that they should be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party; and that they should be able to produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options (CEFRL, Council of Europe, 2001). Students will be offered three options to prove their language level, i.e. sitting a B2 level exam co-ordinated by the University’s Department of Applied Linguistics, validating a language certificate that the learner previously holds equivalent to a Vantage level or, lastly, attending a 90-hour language course to achieve the required level of knowledge. Since the Cambridge First Certificate Language Exam is one of the certificates that UPV students will be able to validate the established language requirements, a group of specialists from the Department of Applied Linguistics have set about to design and publish an online preparatory course using the InGenio online authoring tool and content manager. The presentation will include an overview of how the FCE exam has evolved throughout its history and subsequently, how preparatory learning materials have traditionally adapted to the varying exam requirements. Lastly, the presentation will present a description of the design principles, the pedagogic criteria and the learner strategies implemented within the InGenio FCE preparatory course.

Related bibliography:
- Casado Casado, J. y García Bermejo, M. J. (2000) Consideraciones didácticas sobre la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras asistida por ordenador. Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid.
- Cunningsworth, A. (1995) Choosing your Coursebook. Oxford: Heinemann
- Gimeno, A. (2008) Aprendizaje de Lenguas Asistido por Ordenador – Herramientas de autor para el desarrollo de cursos a través de la web. Valencia: Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia.
- McGrath, I. (2002) Materials Evaluation and Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Tomlinson, B. (1998) Materials Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Weir, C. J. (2005) Language testing and validation, New York: Macmillan.
Keywords: online courseware design, First Certificate English exam, distance education

Main topic: New developments in multimedia courseware design

Biodata: Antonio Martínez Sáez graduated in English Studies and in Translation and Interpreting Studies (Spanish, English and French) at the University of Valencia, and is currently a PhD student at the Department of Applied Linguistics at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) within the "Languages & Technology" programme. Ana Gimeno is Senior Lecturer in English at the Department of Applied Linguistics at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia and Head of the CAMILLE R&D Group. Jose Macario de Siqueira Rocha graduated in Computer Engineering (UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil) and is currently writing his PhD on Distance Education and CALL.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research & Development

Target educational sector Higher education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project No

Schedule:	2009-09-12 (15:00 - 15:45) Parallel Session 6 (Room A-25)
Title:	Establishing the theoretical parameters in designing an online preparatory course for the Cambridge First Certificate in English Examination
Authors:	Antonio Martínez Sáez, Ana María Gimeno Sanz, Jose Macario de Siqueira Rocha
Abstract:	In an attempt to comply with the Bologna Process, the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia will be implementing a number of steps to ensure that its students become independent speakers of English and graduate from University with a level equivalent to B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This implies that they must be able to understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in their field of specialisation; that they should be able to interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers possible without strain for either party; and that they should be able to produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options (CEFRL, Council of Europe, 2001). Students will be offered three options to prove their language level, i.e. sitting a B2 level exam co-ordinated by the University’s Department of Applied Linguistics, validating a language certificate that the learner previously holds equivalent to a Vantage level or, lastly, attending a 90-hour language course to achieve the required level of knowledge. Since the Cambridge First Certificate Language Exam is one of the certificates that UPV students will be able to validate the established language requirements, a group of specialists from the Department of Applied Linguistics have set about to design and publish an online preparatory course using the InGenio online authoring tool and content manager. The presentation will include an overview of how the FCE exam has evolved throughout its history and subsequently, how preparatory learning materials have traditionally adapted to the varying exam requirements. Lastly, the presentation will present a description of the design principles, the pedagogic criteria and the learner strategies implemented within the InGenio FCE preparatory course. Related bibliography: - Casado Casado, J. y García Bermejo, M. J. (2000) Consideraciones didácticas sobre la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras asistida por ordenador. Madrid: Universidad Complutense de Madrid. - Cunningsworth, A. (1995) Choosing your Coursebook. Oxford: Heinemann - Gimeno, A. (2008) Aprendizaje de Lenguas Asistido por Ordenador – Herramientas de autor para el desarrollo de cursos a través de la web. Valencia: Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. - McGrath, I. (2002) Materials Evaluation and Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Tomlinson, B. (1998) Materials Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. - Weir, C. J. (2005) Language testing and validation, New York: Macmillan.
Keywords:	online courseware design, First Certificate English exam, distance education
Main topic:	New developments in multimedia courseware design
Biodata:	Antonio Martínez Sáez graduated in English Studies and in Translation and Interpreting Studies (Spanish, English and French) at the University of Valencia, and is currently a PhD student at the Department of Applied Linguistics at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia (Spain) within the "Languages & Technology" programme. Ana Gimeno is Senior Lecturer in English at the Department of Applied Linguistics at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia and Head of the CAMILLE R&D Group. Jose Macario de Siqueira Rocha graduated in Computer Engineering (UNICAMP, Campinas, Brazil) and is currently writing his PhD on Distance Education and CALL.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research & Development
Target educational sector	Higher education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	No