Course Programmes

Learning by Doing

European Centre in cooperation with Royal Commission in Jubail has recently launched the first in its new series of courses entitled Learning by Doing [LBD].

The aim of this series is to lead participants through a series of linked practical activities as a means to develop useful social-transactional English skills.

Examples of the tasking gradients include the following: 

 

How to take a flight from A to B

Learners practise creating a passport in English for travel purposes; then they practise issuing a boarding pass; then they practise checking in for a flight, while making lists of items to pack for a flight, and practise going through security and boarding a plane. The instructors role play the activities also. This means that after creating documents learners play the roles of passenger, passport officer, security officer and so on a rotational basis. This activity practises both speaking and writing skills at CEFR A1-A2 standard.

Social English, table manners in England

Learners practise laying a dining table with crockery and cutlery, European style. They then practice sitting at a table for a simulated meal using specially designed plastic learning aides. Learners practise how to share items, how to request people to pass things form one side of the table to the other. They also practise how to make polite social conversation about football, family, the weather and other topics. They also learn how to ask politely if they can leave the table. They also practice discussing daily plans and schedules. This is an ideal activity for people who travel for their holidays and who need to practise for their visits to stay with non-Arabic speaking families outside KSA.

Using foreign currency

Learners practise exchanging Saudi Riyals into other currencies using simulated money. They also practise shopping for items and getting the correct change back. They also practise showing their ID. Learners role play both seller and customer roles.

Building a business card and a CV

Young adult learners practise making their own business cards. In this way they learn useful vocabulary such as: first, father and family names; addresses, contact numbers; and accurate email addresses. Learners also learn how to build a CV using Primary, Secondary and High School years instead of company years. They also mention special skills and travel experience, date of birth, nationality, age, hobbies and interests etc. This teaches learners useful writing skills and vocabulary.

Using tourist maps

Learners practise using real maps to navigate from A to B and to locate tourist attractions.

Spelling enhancement

Learners complete spelling sheets (correctly spelling everyday words). The spelling sheets are based on real colour brochures from supermarkets. Learners identify words in the brochure next to colour pictures of matching products and they complete spelling worksheets. This activity covers accurate spelling and useful vocabulary at the same time.

 

Learning by Playing 

As part of the same series European Centre has launched a Learning by Playing programme for younger learners in the 8-11 years age range.

Examples of the tasking gradients include the following:

Learning vocabulary

Learners complete word search puzzles, crosswords, picture labelling tasks and special adhesive sticker task sheets to learn useful English vocabulary. These activities also develop basic maths skills; collocation skills in English (e.g. ajectives and nouns; verbs and objects); analytical skills (e.g. cause - effect relationships; opposites; and synonyms) and also pattern recognition skills.

Following instructions in English

Learners assemble small structures using provided materials (nuts, bolts, metal pieces etc) by following a particular set of instructions in English. They then disassemble the pieces and package everything. This teaches reading skills and it also teaches useful housekeeping skills.

Asking questions in English

Learners take part in a treasure hunt inside the learning building by asking specially prepared navigation questions to different instructors to find the hidden treasure in the building.