The Specialized English Language Programs (SELP) Unit

The Specialized English Language Programs (SELP) Unit is the English and communication support network at SGU. We offer many different programs and services tailored to the needs of the SGU community including students, faculty, and staff. Our main programs include the English for Medicine Pathway (EMP), Medical Academic Communication (MAC), Professional Communication Program (PCP), and Graduate Writing Support Services (GWSS). See below for a description of these programs. SELP also teaches the Communication for the Health Professions courses for the Preclinical Sciences and offers a Medical Spanish Selective. In addition to our programs and courses, SELP offers individualized language and communication support through workshops and tutoring. Any member of SGU can request assistance in developing their language and communication skills.  SELP also manages an inhouse English language assessment that prospective students may be asked to take.

Programs

English for Medicine Pathway (EMP)

Developed by the School of Medicine and SELP, EMP is designed to instill the academic and medical English communication skills necessary for success as SGU students and future health professionals. These skills include the development of macro language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as well as micro communication skills, academic literacy skills, critical thinking, and cultural awareness. These skills will be utilized throughout a student’s medical education and lifelong learning as a healthcare professional – leading to success in medical school and ultimately, allowing students to develop into culturally competent clinical practitioners.

EMP integrates additional English and communication courses into the Preclinical Sciences curriculum to allow simultaneous Preclinical Science and English skill progression with only one additional semester. Students from the 5-year, 6-year, or 7-year MD program are accepted into the EMP program on entry and remain in the program for their first three semesters at SGU. There is a standalone one- or two-term EMP program for the 4-year MD students who will enter the SOM upon completion of the EMP program.

Medical Academic Communication (MAC)

MAC is a unique program at SGU that aims to enrich the learning experience of students through weekly 50-minute sessions. MAC supports the development of the communication skills, cultural competencies, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for preclinical, medical, and veterinary student success. Sessions are tailored to meet students’ communication needs, both individual and program specific. In sessions, students might work on medical terminology, decoding MCQs, pronunciation, participating in group discussions, argument development for writing, or clinical communication.

Professional Communication Program (PCP): CV and Personal Statement Review

PCP provides support in polishing professional documents such as CVs and personal statements for residency applications. We offer feedback, workshops, tailored resources, and individual consultations to help students and faculty present their best professional self.

Graduate Writing Support Services (GWSS)

GWSS helps SGU graduate students develop as academic writers. We offer resources, one-on-one consultations, and workshops for students who seek ongoing support at all stages of the writing process (brainstorming, prewriting, drafting, and revising).

Courses

Communication for the Health Professions I and II (PCLN 302, PCLN 303)

These courses are reading and writing intensive programs for preclinical and preveterinary students.

• Communication for the Health Professions 1 develops students’ ability to read, understand, and evaluate research studies; to summarize, paraphrase, and synthesize published work; and to practice organizing and expressing ideas clearly and concisely.
• Communication for the Health Professions 2 develops students’ skills in critical thinking and professional communication, and helps students gain strategies for evaluating and constructing arguments.

Medical Spanish Selective (SCSK 513)

This selective is designed to provide integrated skills practice to medical students who anticipate working with Spanish-speaking patients. The course focuses on:

• basic grammar and sentence structure
• medical terminology
• patient interaction practice
• cultural sensitivity awareness

Workshops

SELP offers several workshops to students and faculty at SGU, included but not limited to the following:

• Decoding multiple choice questions
• APA style and formatting
• Scholarly writing
• West Indian language and academic English
• Writing a literature review and reference management
• Presentation skills
• Writing a CV and personal statement for residency application
• Team Building
• Building Your Brand
• Linguistic Diversity

We are available to create custom workshops to suit the communication needs of any course or program.

Individual Assistance/Tutoring

Assistance from SELP instructors is always available. We will meet individually with any student, faculty, or staff member to work on any English language or communication skill. We will customize individual tutoring to suit your needs.

English Language Assessment

The Academic Language Test (ALT) is an assessment which Admissions may require students to take to determine whether they need language and communication support through SELP. The ALT is designed to assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills which are essential for student success in medical school.

This assessment comprises two parts:

• An online video interview (approximately 20 minutes)
• A timed online assessment that measures students’ academic reading, writing, and listening skills (approximately 70 minutes)

The first part of the assessment evaluates the student’s listening and speaking ability for professional and academic purposes and is done online through Zoom.

This second part of the assessment comprises reading, listening, and writing sections.

Section 1: 3 short recordings with a question each (5 minutes)

Section 2: A longer recording with 6 questions (10 minutes)

Section 3: Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary with 10 questions (20 minutes)

Section 4: Essay Writing (35 minutes)

Each section of the assessment will end automatically after the allotted time. In addition to being force timed, this assessment does not allow backtracking. This means once you have progressed through a section, you cannot go back.

Although it is not possible to study for this assessment, prospective students are encouraged to approach this as they would any other mandatory admissions assessment. Based on their scores, students can either be exempt from receiving language and communication support or mandated into the English for Medicine Pathway (EMP) or the Medical Academic Communication (MAC) program. See below for descriptions of these programs.

Overview of the English for Medicine Pathways (EMP) program

The EMP program is designed to instill the academic and medical English communication skills necessary for success as SGU students and future health professionals. EMP integrates additional English courses into the preclinical curriculum to allow simultaneous preclinical and English skill progression with only one additional semester. Students from the 5-year, 6-year, or 7-year MD/DVM program are accepted into the EMP program on entry and remain in the program for their first three semesters at SGU. There is a standalone one- or two-term EMP program for 4-year MD/DVM students who will enter the SOM/SVM upon completion of the EMP program.

Overview of the Medical Academic Communications (MAC) program

MAC is a unique program at SGU that aims to enrich the learning experience of students through weekly 50-minute sessions that are done as an addition to a student’s program. MAC supports the development of the communication skills, cultural competencies, and critical thinking skills that are necessary for preclinical, medical, and veterinary student success. Sessions are tailored to meet students’ communication needs, both individual and program specific. In sessions, students might work on medical terminology, decoding MCQs, pronunciation, group discussions, argument development for writing, or clinical communication.

Scoring

Speaking (from your interview) and writing performances are evaluated by multiple raters, using IELTS speaking and writing rubrics. Reading is evaluated by the total number of correct responses. Listening is evaluated by the total number of correct responses and from the interview and you will be marked as needs development, meets expectations, or exceeds expectations.

SUPPLEMENTAL LEARNING (SL)

The Supplemental Learning (SL) Program runs weekly small group review sessions, hosts an assortment of on-line modules and small group facilitator training workshops to facilitators and Clinical Tutors, and provides general support to SGU’s collaborative learning community.

Supplemental Learning small groups are provided for pre-professional and undergraduate students who want to deepen their understanding of course material, improve long-term learning, and improve their grades in large sized pre-professional courses that are traditionally most rigorous. The program is designed to assist students by developing learning communities, integrating study strategies, and applying effective test-taking skills.

The Supplemental Learning Program schedule is announced in class during the first week of classes each term.  Students are allocated to groups depending on their program and course schedule.  The SL faculty attend classes along with the students and frequently make announcements regarding the schedule and examination reviews.

Collaborative learning in small groups is a practice that has gained increased popularity at SGU.  Small group collaborative learning is supported by numerous studies and by positive student feedback at SGU.  In order to ensure excellent well-run small groups, DES offers several SAKAI training modules for Facilitators located at the True Blue and Northumbria campuses.

SL Small Group Facilitator Training Program

Collaborative learning in small groups is a practice that has gained increased popularity at SGU.  Small group collaborative learning is supported by numerous studies and by positive student feedback at SGU.  In order to ensure excellent well-run small groups, DES offers several SAKAI training modules for Facilitators located at the True Blue and Northumbria campuses.

The objective of conducting this training is to:

• Help facilitators make their sessions more efficient and effective.
• Anticipate collaborative learning issues and proactively resolve them.
• Make sessions enjoyable and creative for all participants.

The Supplemental Learning (SL) Program focuses on the techniques surrounding the facilitation of the group review sessions. We also train small group observers and visit groups to see how they are doing and give constructive advice.

Small Group Facilitation Workshops for New Clinical Tutors and DES Facilitators

The SL program conducts several hands-on training workshops for DES Facilitators and Clinical Tutors each term.  These sessions are designed to compliment the above training modules.  They are an opportunity for new facilitators and clinical tutors to practice working in small groups.  They also help facilitators to brainstorm, reflect and plan their upcoming sessions together with awarded returning facilitators, other clinical tutors, SL faculty, and their peers.

ACADEMIC ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (AEP)

The Academic Enhancement Program (AEP) is a support program for selected students in their first year in the School of Medicine or School of Veterinary Medicine. This retention initiative includes review group sessions, personal advising, and access to other DES programs as needed.

AEP is a proactive support initiative that includes review group sessions, personal advising, and access to other DES programs as needed. Students are placed into the program by the Board of Admissions for a variety of reasons, including being out of school for an extended period of time prior to beginning medical school, lower MCAT scores or lower science GPA or lack of experience with multiple choice exams. The program provides the student with additional guidance and resources during their first year of medical or veterinary medical school.  Students are enrolled in the regular, full academic program in medical or veterinary medical school, but are mandated to participate in additional learning activities.

AEP Orientation

On the first day of Academic Orientation in Grenada, AEP students will attend an AEP Orientation meeting where details regarding the program are outlined. Any questions about AEP will be addressed in detail at that time. Information about the date, time, and location of the meeting will be provided on the AEP Orientaiton schedule and via student email for those who are registered in the program.  Information can also be obtained from the Department of Educational Services

AEP Faculty Advisor

AEP students must meet with their Faculty Advisor after midterm examinations, and at other times as scheduled throughout the term.

Group Review Attendance

Students must attend one AEP review session (restricted to AEP students only) and one DES review session (open to all students) per week.

Group Review Sessions

DES Group Review Sessions  provide learning opportunities for all students. As outlined above, attendance at Group Review Sessions is mandatory for students enrolled in the AEP program; for all other students, attendance is optional. DES offers over 150 Term One group review sessions a week, meeting over 2000 sessions per term.

The DES Student Support Academic Office (SSAO) recruits and selects group review session facilitators and tutors. All applicants for these positions must have completed the course at SGU with an A or B grade, and have a good overall GPA.

LEARNING STRATEGIES PROGRAM

The DES Learning Skills Program was designed to provide all students with the opportunity to evaluate and improve their academic skills, becoming more efficient and effective learners. Common issues include: Time Management, Test Taking Skills, Focus, Stress and Anxiety Management, and Taking/Making Notes.

Individual consultation, workshops, lectures, and presentations are arranged to address such topics as:

• Practical application of study methods to specific academic curricula in order to develop new study skills and techniques.
• Learning styles assessment and application, including memory techniques.
• Time management strategies to keep up with coursework.
• Test-taking strategies for multiple choice questions (MCQ) in order to improve test preparation and performance skills.

Time Management Assistance

Time management is an essential element for all students who want to attain their highest level of academic success. Students can receive information on how to create a realistic schedule that includes not only time for studies, but also the important daily needs necessary for creating a balanced student life. (Yes, there really can be time to eat, sleep, and have a little fun.)

Multiple Choice Question Assistance

Students are offered an opportunity to improve their overall test-taking skills through workshops and/or individual meetings. These meetings address ways to prepare for MCQ exams as well as techniques to use during the exams. It is hypothesized that good test-taking skills can improve exam scores from 5 to 15 percent.

FACULTY DEVELOPMENT

MISSION: To support faculty in their pursuit of excellence in scholarship, teaching and learning.

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Basics and Beyond: Certificate Program in University Teaching

SGU is a Learning Community. Teaching is a central role for all faculty; student learning is a primary goal of the University.

In keeping with SGU’s mandate and vision, the certificate program, offered by the Department of Educational Services (DES), is designed to help academics develop a scholarly approach to their work as they engage in conversations and practical applications of evidence-based pedagogy for course design, assessment practices and teaching and learning strategies.

The Program consists of three certificate level courses:

1. Scholarly Foundations in Teaching and Learning—Level 1 Certificate
2. Research in Teaching and Learning—Level 2 Certificate
3. Leadership in Teaching and Learning—Level 3 Certificate

The certificate program provides:

• continuing professional development
• an individual Professional Development Path
• a flexible timeline
• a path to achieve a Certificate as part of a Professional Teaching Portfolio
• an opportunity for members of the SGU community to lead sessions

Teaching activities, and student learning are primary roles for university faculty, however, most academics begin their teaching career with expertise in their content area but little or no prior opportunity to ‘think’ about how students learn.

Whether new to teaching or experienced faculty, most have had limited opportunities to systematically develop their teaching abilities, build a scholarly knowledge base about teaching and reflect on how the various elements of their teaching practices fit together.

The Basics and Beyond Certificate Program in University Teaching Certificate is designed to provide such opportunities.

Each session in the program is designed to be practical, encouraging academics to apply what they are presently learning to their work as teachers to support student learning.

The Basics and Beyond Program was developed as an outcome-based series of experiences that:

• are informed by the focus groups conducted with faculty at SGU from March–June 2017
• will continue to be informed by feedback provided throughout the program
• is guided by the theoretical and empirical literature regarding teaching and learning;
• are informed by research into certificate programs at other international universities including Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom
• are consistent with the best practices of the international educational development profession

For further information about the program and to register for sessions, please contact Ms. Reba David at rrdavid@sgu.edu or download the brochure.