Umm Al-Qura University
The English Language Center organized the virtual forum yesterday, Wednesday, 29 Dhul-Hijjah, 1441 A.H., in the evening session from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., on the "WebEx" platform. The forum was held for the students of the Joint First Year and the Evening Preparatory Year, in cooperation with the Deanship of the Joint First Year , the Deanship of Student Affairs, and the Deanship of E-Learning.
Several topics of interest to the target group were dealt with during the forum. The event aimed to make things easy for the students, giving them a brief introduction to help them quickly adapt to the new environment in this important year in which they define their specializations and future career paths. The forum also aimed at contributing to their academic development and improving their academic achievements.
The forum program was opened by providing an introductory overview of the general and specialized English language courses. It also listed the textbooks required for this year's courses and how to obtain them. The center has sought to unify the form, content and price of this list of books which includes the editions of Oxford press that the student needs.
The forum also discussed the mechanism of exemption allowed from the General English Language Course in the first semester. This exemption benefits the holders of TOEFL or IELTS certificates who wish to be exempt from studying this course according to the conditions set by the English Language Center. The meeting provided a detailed explanation of the types of tests in the Joint First Year and the types of questions in these tests, along with the grade scales and the marking schemes.
The forum program focused on highlighting the student’s role in making the educational process a success. An invitation was extended to the student Faris Eidah Al-Maliki from the College of Engineering, as a model for last year's distinguished students, to participate in the meeting. He provided an overview of his successful experience in learning the English language, noting the most prominent strategies he used to enable him to master English language skills.
Last year's class leader of the female students in the health stream, Sana Ayman Zafar, provided some advice to newcomers for them to have an enjoyable and successful experience in learning the English language. She also talked about her experience as a class leader to the fresh students who are about to have the same experience, which she described as 'outstanding'.
The English Language Center always strives to improve the academic environment at the center for the students and academic staff members alike. It also acquaints students with all the details and developments that improve the teaching of the English language.
It is worth noting that the forum dealt with valuable information that helps students find answers for many questions. This will reflect positively on the male and female students, and will prepare and motivate them to strive for knowledge and scientific excellence.
The English Language Center praised the continuous support of His Excellency the President of Umm Al-Qura University, Prof. Abdullah Bafail, and His Excellency the UQU Vice President for Educational Affairs, Dr. Ahmad Babalghaith. The center also praised the cooperation of all parties within Umm Al-Qura University that work to make its future plans a success, which serves the student first and then the academic and the Makkan community.
Presented by: Dr. Sahar Al-Zahrani
Recited by: Mr. Salimullah
The first session included an introduction to the general and specialized English language curricula for students during the first and second semesters, the titles of the textbooks, how to obtain them and their prices, as well as the names of coordinators.
Presented by: Mr. Abdul-Rahman Al-Haidari and Mr. Abdullah Sabry
Duration: 20 minutes
The second session dealt with the mechanism of exempting the students of the Joint First Year and the Evening Preparatory Year from the General English Language Course in the first semester.
Presented by: Dr. Samar Al-Mousa
Duration: 10 minutes
The third session discussed the types of tests in the First Joint Year and the expected types of questions in these tests, along with the grade scales and the marking schemes.
Presented by: Dr. Suhad Sunbul
Duration: 10 minutes
How to master the skills of learning specialized English language.
Presented by: Dr. Afnan Farouqi
Duration: 10 minutes
Stories of successful students who excelled in learning the English language.
Presented by: The Student Faris Eidah Al-Maliki
Duration: 10 minutes
Advice from the leader of last year's class of female students in the health stream.
Presented by: The Student Sana Ayman Zafar
Duration: 10 minutes
