As one of the core curricular components, students at Tujenge Scholars program spend a large proportion of their academic program in English courses. As the language is generally scholars’ third or fourth language, English is taught primarily as a communication tool, rather than as an academic discipline. Classes leverage TOEFL resources, seminar-style class discussions, substantial reading assignments, and the knowledge of English speaking staff to help students gain practical skills and confidence.
Starting from bare communication and grammar fundamentals in the first term, the English curriculum is designed to give scholars the linguistic toolkit to engage with increasingly complex coursework and intellectual inquiry. Curricular focus shifts throughout the eighteen month program, following the outline here:
Spring Term: Foundation
The goal of the first term is to give every student a foundation in English communication skills that they will use throughout the rest of the program in all of their classes. The relative focus of English classes in this first term is developing robust reading skills and introducing students to academic writing.
Summer Term: Explore
English courses in the second term continue the broad goals of developing fluency. Additional focus is added on speaking and listening skills and more complex grammatical structures. In this term, students begin to practice their English communication skills with mock assessments.
Fall Term: Extend
With two terms of English already behind them, scholars in term three are asked to build confidence and experience with essay writing. The course introduces good writing habits and across the Fall Term curriculum, scholars have ample opportunity to practice their creation and revision processes. English classes largely support preparation for any standardized testing that the student is planning to take, as well as supporting students through the university application process.
Spring Term: Prepare
The final term at Tujenge asks students to participate in university-level coursework. As the capstone course in the English curriculum, scholars take a writing seminar on a topic of interest. Within the course, students study the topic, learn some basic research methods, and write three term papers. The specific courses offered each year fluctuate with teaching staff availability, but all are primarily rooted in writing skills.