A Cross-Campus English Faculty Program at Champasack University

(This highlight was written for  and uploaded to the Department of State's English Language Program's Community of Practice Web platform) 

The Certificate Ceremony on June 30th

Talo gets a well-earned certificate 

Instructors from each of the six faculties at Champasack University were invited to participate in an intermediate-level English class designed to develop communicative competence, with a focus on speaking and listening. The course was developed and taught by English Language Fellow Julie Dean, who was asked to create a curriculum grounded in communicative language teaching methods and tailored to the needs of university instructors.

Faculty members from departments such as Engineering, Law and Public Administration, Economics and Management, Agriculture and Forestry, Natural Sciences, and Education frequently attend international conferences in the region, where English is often the primary language used for presentations, discussions, and conference materials. While many of these instructors have strong reading proficiency in English, they often report feeling underprepared for spontaneous speaking and interactive discussions—whether related to their academic discipline or in informal settings such as meals, coffee breaks, or networking events.

Ultimately, 14 instructors—representing about three-quarters of those originally registered—were able to participate consistently throughout the course, despite busy schedules and competing university responsibilities.

 A special message

The course followed the general structure of American English File 2 (Oxford University Press), with additional materials developed to better reflect the vocabulary and communication needs of each instructor’s professional field. Over 16 weeks, instructors built skills through a range of engaging topics and adapted tasks. As a final assessment, each participant gave a short presentation to the class—either about their area of expertise or describing “a day in the life,” such as a weekend routine or vacation experience. All participants passed the final exam with either Distinction or Excellence, and Champasack University Certificates were awarded during a closing ceremony on the last day of class.

I was honored when the President of the University and the Dean of Education asked me to design and teach a course for instructors from departments beyond English. My initial recommendation was to survey participants to assess their proficiency levels and specific communication needs. However, at the Dean’s request, I selected an intermediate-level English textbook and adapted it to meet the group’s goals.

Over the 16-week course, I witnessed meaningful progress as the instructors developed not only their language skills but also their confidence. By the end, each had a prepared presentation or conversation they felt ready to use at an upcoming multilingual regional conference. I was truly proud of their dedication, progress, and success.