English Language Institute University of Khartoum
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Through a governmental decree, the academic year 1965/66 marked the beginning of compulsory implementation of Arabicization in government Sudanese schools. The English language was hence reduced to a subject in the school time-table.
As a result, when the students entered university, the status of English suddenly changed from a subject of no active use outside the English classroom to the main medium of instruction. This immediate transition from Arabic to English as a medium of instruction has called for the introduction of English for Specific Purposes to bridge the gap between the students’ real competence and the level needed for enrolling at higher institutes of learning.
Consequently, in 1975, the English language Servicing Unit (ELSU) was established by the University of Khartoum in collaboration with the British Council. The Unit used to offer a two year English course of 100 hours to the Faculty of Science, and a one year English course of 60 hours to the rest of the Faculties, with the exception of the Faculties of Arts and Education which were serviced by their own English language departments.
The second phase of Arabicization was formally launched in 1991. Arabic replaced English as medium of instruction in all Sudanese Universities and higher institutions of learning. At Khartoum University, the English Language Servicing Unit was left to cater for English for Specific Purposes till 1996. After 1996, the University introduced university requirement subjects: English, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Computer Studies and Sudanese Studies. These university requirement subjects were taught in four years making a total of 120 hours. In 1998 the University set up a new administration with the status of a faculty known as Administration for University Requirement. Students are required to study a total of 90 hours of English in the first and second year.
Our vision for the future is very ambitious. With the current situation of English in the general education system, the poor teaching environment and many obstacles at the University of Khartoum, we are graduating students with very poor levels of English language achievement who are unable to compete for jobs.
As a result, when the students entered university, the status of English suddenly changed from a subject of no active use outside the English classroom to the main medium of instruction. This immediate transition from Arabic to English as a medium of instruction has called for the introduction of English for Specific Purposes to bridge the gap between the students’ real competence and the level needed for enrolling at higher institutes of learning.
Consequently, in 1975, the English language Servicing Unit (ELSU) was established by the University of Khartoum in collaboration with the British Council. The Unit used to offer a two year English course of 100 hours to the Faculty of Science, and a one year English course of 60 hours to the rest of the Faculties, with the exception of the Faculties of Arts and Education which were serviced by their own English language departments.
The second phase of Arabicization was formally launched in 1991. Arabic replaced English as medium of instruction in all Sudanese Universities and higher institutions of learning. At Khartoum University, the English Language Servicing Unit was left to cater for English for Specific Purposes till 1996. After 1996, the University introduced university requirement subjects: English, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Computer Studies and Sudanese Studies. These university requirement subjects were taught in four years making a total of 120 hours. In 1998 the University set up a new administration with the status of a faculty known as Administration for University Requirement. Students are required to study a total of 90 hours of English in the first and second year.
Our vision for the future is very ambitious. With the current situation of English in the general education system, the poor teaching environment and many obstacles at the University of Khartoum, we are graduating students with very poor levels of English language achievement who are unable to compete for jobs.
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