The Koya University English Language Centre (KUELC) provides instruction to international students who need to improve their English language skills before beginning academic course work. The KUELC serves the students by providing English language instruction against a backdrop of Global life and academia.
It also serves individuals who are not seeking academic future but who want to improve their English skills. Such students can apply to the KUELC.
In recent years further studies and continuous academic development has become a new trend in Kurdistan region However, to maintain progress, a large number of students and academic staff cross Kurdistan Region are willing to study abroad, many with the benefit of a scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (hereinafter “MHE”) in Kurdistan under the Human Capacity Development Programme (hereinafter “HCDP”). Yet for many potential candidates, their level of English is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the programmes they have applied for, or the new requirements under the Tier 4 visa system of the UKBA. Accordingly, in order to be offered a place involving a preparatory course in conjunction with a degree potential, applicants need to have achieved the required IELTS or TOEFL score. For higher education staff, on the other hand, many have not had the opportunity to undergo training in new methods of teaching and learning in higher education. In addition, KOYU is currently highly interested in recruiting staff from overseas. There is thus an urgent need for staff development to support the ambitious goals for curriculum development and research, to ensure capability of teaching staff in delivering up-to-date and dynamic education programmes of high quality and have the leadership and management skills to support the realisation of plans, and to enable KOYU to play a leading role in delivering better quality higher education in Kurdistan.
The primary purpose of the Koya University English Language Centre (KUELC) is to prepare students for further study which will be sponsored by the Kurdish Ministry of Higher Education.
The KUELC aims to enhance the student’s English Language, cultural awareness and study skills to levels needed for successful engagement in higher education and which meet the requirements of the Kurdish Ministry of Higher Education, through a pedagogical approach and academic materials developed and managed by Kaplan International Colleges (KIC).
The pedagogical approach emphasises the importance of active student engagement in tasks which encourage development of holistic communicative competences, rather than learning discrete language elements. The approach is exemplified by the use of the Common European Framework Reference for Languages (CEFR) based ‘Can-Do’ statements to describe student learning outcomes.
