Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Institute: English Language Program Curriculum

Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Institute: English Language Program Curriculum: "


Aims
The aim of the DKCLI English Language Program is to turn out graduates capable of teaching and translating Buddhist philosophy through English medium. Learners will develop competency in the four main skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking as well as English grammar, through a thee-year graduated program.

Learners
Students in the English language program are monks enrolled in years ten or are graduates of Dzongsar Khyentse Chökyi Lodrö Institute, Chauntra, India and are around 30 years old. The monks are predominately refugees from Kham in Eastern Tibet and have had little prior exposure to English. As full-time residents of a Tibetan-medium monastery, many of the monks also have very limited competency in Hindi. Around 20 percent of monks -- from Nepal, Bhutan and India (Ladakh, Spiti and Mustang) -- have studied basic English in school.

Learners are inclined towards drill-based learning and memorisation. The Tibetan tradition encourages intensive grammar study, and Western-style teaching methodologies are new to the monks. A syllabus combining elements of Tibetan and Western learning styles (such as interactive task-based activities) has been attempted.

Learning Outcomes
Learners to work towards using English with confidence in the following situations:
Year 1
1. Communication with speakers in the local Indian community, personal dealings with government officials and departments, and for travel within India and abroad (e.g., filling in forms)
2. Communication with visitors to the monastery and local area; both to offer assistance to guests and as a key to the students' learning about other cultures and the wider world
3. Use of English medium computer applications and to access the Internet
4. Communication within the English language classroom, and for self-study purposes
5. Recreational reading, movies, radio, chat etc

Year 2
Outcomes 1 - 5, and:
6. Confidence to function comfortably in an advanced English language learning environment, such as a country where English is the dominant language -- including the ability to understand instructions and ask for help, complete assessment procedures, engage in class discussions, and complete assignments to a deadline.
7. To gain exposure to Dharma terminology and teaching styles in the classroom and through self-study
8. Make use of live opportunities to practice English in an English medium environment, such as attending teachings through English medium at Deer Park Institute

Years 3 and above
Outcomes 1 - 8, and for:
9. Transactions with businesses and government departments on behalf of the monastery
10. Translation between English and Tibetan languages (spoken and written): to assist visitors to the monastery, for meetings and minute-taking, and for translation of monastery documents
11. Tibetan language tuition (Deer Park Institute Tibetan program)
12. Buddhist philosophy tuition in English
13. Tibetan to English oral translation for non-English speaking Buddhist teachers
14. Translation of Buddhist texts from Tibetan into English


Proposed Program Structure
Elementary Skills
• Introduction to alphabet and phonics for English (one week, with follow up review)
• Doff, A. & Jones, C. Language in Use (New Ed.), C.U.P.
• Murphy, R. Essential English Grammar (2nd Ed.), C.U.P.
• Students learn to use Essential English Grammar CD-ROM materials in the computer lab along with basic typing skills and Rosetta Stone interactive CD-ROM level 1.
Beginner level topic based course forms the basis of the Class 1 study - class, self-study and teacher's books, CDs, video materials, grammar presentation, example exercises, and drills. Basic testing procedures are introduced, along with structured daily homework assignments, in-class presentations and role-plays

Pre-Intermediate Skills
• Doff, A. & Jones, C. Language in Use (New Ed.), C.U.P.
Pre-Intermediate level topic based course - class, self-study and teacher's books, cassettes, video materials
• Murphy, R. Essential English Grammar (2nd Ed.), C.U.P.
• Students learn to use Essential English Grammar CD-ROM materials in the computer lab and Rosetta Stone.
• Language skills, task based group activities, role plays, oral presentations, daily written homework, weekly assessment.
• Graded readers - class, language lab and self-study activities
• Language in Use videos in computer lab

Intermediate Skills
• Doff, A. & Jones, C. Language in Use (New Ed.), C.U.P.
Intermediate level topic based course - class, self-study and teacher's books, cassettes, video materials.
• Extend skills in all four areas: build writing skills from paragraph to short essay introducing academic writing conventions, advanced listening and reading activities, encourage fluency in spoken English.
• Murphy, R. Murphy's English Grammar (3rd Ed.), C.U.P.
Grammar presentation, example exercises, drills, role plays, daily homework, weekly assessment.
• Students access Murphy's English Grammar CD-ROM materials in the computer lab.

Upper Intermediate and Advanced currently under development with the aim of preparing students of IELTS testing.

Identify able students for Study Abroad scholarships. Students in the proposed 'Study Abroad' program study for six months in an English language school in an English speaking country, followed by an internship at an English medium Dharma centre. A two year commitment is expected from students participating in this program.

Assessment
Students are gradually introduced to simple testing procedures, such as multi choice questionnaires and gap-fill exercises, and are assessed regularly throughout the year using:
• Daily homework assignments
• Unit-based fortnightly written class tests including: revision, grammar and writing components

The monastery has identified two semesters for it's academic year: from Losar until the beginning of Summer Retreat (mid - late July), and from Summer Retreat until the close of the year (around November). From 2010 the English Language Program will hold exams with the general Shedra examinations at the end of each semester. The exams will include:
• Written exam based on materials covered in the weekly tests
• Listening test based on listening materials used in class / graded readers
• Oral assessment

At the end of the year individual reports include:
• overall test score average
• total attendance
• comments on homework and classwork
• recommended holiday study
• class placement for continuing students

Language Lab
• Basic interactive typing program
• Oxford dictionary
• 'Essential English Grammar' and 'Murphy's English Grammar' CD-ROM materials
• 'Language in Use' video materials
• Graded Reader listening posts (recordings available on CD)
• Rosetta Stone

Dharma English - program currently under development
• Recollection of the Noble Three Jewels Khyentse Rinpoche's April 2006 Deer Park teachings
• Students work with teacher using recorded teachings and transcripts to expand Dharma vocabulary in English. Some grammar work where relevant
• Introduce readings from Khyentse Rinpoche's book What makes you not a Buddhist. Book club format discussions.

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