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Enhancing usage of scientific formulae for students less proficient in English language in an undergraduate class : a case study in Saudi Arabia
Anjum Afrooze1.
The curriculum at General Sciences department in a Saudi Arabian University includes ‘’Physical
science’’for Computer Science, Information Technology and Business courses. Students are
apathetic towards Physical Science and question, as to,” How this course is related to their
majors?” More than sixty percent of the students come from institutions where English is not the
medium of instruction, which makes student learning and academic achievement challenging as
they are less proficient in English language. After observing the uasge of incorrect scientific
formulas in assessment test and the number of failures,for two consecutive semesters, the
instructor was keen to find an effective strategy to enable students understand concepts and to
transformed surface learning to deep learning through developing advanced techniques in writing
assignment. The main purpose of this research is to roll the situation and let the students partake
in the process of trasformation from diffident failures to confident achievers.This study is
participatory action research, in which instructor designs effective written task to engage students
in their learning . The study is conducted through two semesters with a total of 32 students. The
effectiveness of this approach is studied using questionnaire at the end of each semester,students
evaluation and teacher observation.Major outcomes of this study were overall improvement in
students uasge of scientific formulas in tests,problem solving,language proficiency, performance
in summative assessment and also fortifying confidence. This process transformed instructor into
engaging and reflecting practitioner.Also, these strategy was implemented by other instructors
teaching the course and proved effective in opening a path to changes in related areas of the
course curriculum. However, refinement in the strategies could be done based on student
evaluation and instructors observation.
Affiliation:
- Prince Sultan University, Saudi Arabia
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