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20 Dec 2005 09:25:40
One of the world’s leading authorities on English language skills has joined the University of Luton with big plans to boost the language skills of its students.
Professor Cyril Weir (55) takes up the Powdrill Chair in English Language Acquisition, which is funded from a special endowment worth more than £1 million, given to the University by a charitable trust 10 years ago.
The Chair was named after the Powdrill family who were prominent in the development of Luton earlier this century.
The funding will enable Professor Weir to set up a research Centre in English Language Learning and Assessment (CRELLA). He aims to make CRELLA a centre of excellence and to make a big difference to students at Luton by helping them improve their language skills.
He explained: “We want to improve academic literacy for everyone. One of the biggest problems many students face, especially those for whom English is a second language, is processing the vast amount of text they are exposed to.
“They come with a careful reading model but what they really need are expeditious reading skills and strategies that enable them to select and process relevant text quickly and efficiently. I know students who waste hours going through articles, book chapters or parts of texts that are not relevant to the assignment they have been set.”
The Professor believes that students from overseas, or minority students who have English as their second language, can be taught to read more efficiently and effectively and thereby improve their learning experiences.
“We plan to link with other projects which are already happening at the University such as the ESF-funded English for Excellence,” said Professor Weir.
“We will take a more systematic look at academic reading by establishing where students need help. We will then prepare online diagnostic instruments to assist in identifying skills and strategies that need improving. In the long term, this will produce self-access study skills material.”
Already the Professor’s world-class name has attracted PhD students to the Centre. Three will be starting research on reading in January and additional staff will also be recruited next year.
Professor Weir added: “The aim is to build up a coherent body of research, as relevant as possible to the needs of students studying at the University.
"First we will focus on academic reading and then move on to the area of academic writing. The Centre will be research driven, with the focus on improving academic literacy, and will be expanded considerably over the next five years.”
The Professor has taught and consulted in language testing, evaluation and curriculum renewal in 50 countries and has written numerous books on the subject. His latest - Language Testing and Validation, An Evidence-Based Approach – is an innovative book which deals with key aspects of language test design and implementation, and is used by Cambridge University.
His work has attracted international attention and as a result has a wide network of contacts around the globe, including China, where he is a Visiting Professor. He was involved in validating the College English Test (CET) taken annually by 14 million Chinese undergraduates, as well as the national university Test for English Majors (TEM).
Next year, the Professor will undertake a research project for the British Council, to examine the nature of reading at undergraduate level and the problems students encounter.
He was previously Professor in English Language Teaching (ELT) at the University of Surrey, Roehampton, and Director of the Centre for Research in Testing Evaluation and Curriculum in ELT.
To find out more about the Centre for Research in English Language Learning and Assessment, call 01582 489068.
Latest news» 2005» Dec» English Language Expert has Big Plans for Helping Luton Students
