Jane Ward
Within ISLI I am a Senior Academic Tutor on the International Foundation Programme and I teach on Short Courses, In-sessional and Pre-sessional programmes. I also teach MA students in the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics (DELAL).
Within the International Foundation Programme, part of my role is convening the Academic Skills module, both in the UK and in our Malaysia campus. I also convene Modern Britain 2, a research module on the Study Abroad Programme.
My teaching involves all areas of academic study, including research skills and writing.
I train teachers in my specialist areas of psycholinguistics, L2 listening and pronunciation skills, the educational philosophy surrounding critical pedagogy, and critical discourse analysis.
Base Section:
ISLI and DELAL
Active Projects:
I present and provide workshops on teaching L2 listening, following completion of a PhD in this field. I write materials based on my own framework for teaching listening.
Bio:
I have taught English language and managed courses for around 15 years in various institutions in several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Kenya and Sri Lanka. I am committed to research-based pedagogical approaches and enjoy working with students faced with the challenge of studying in a new academic culture. I am dedicated to providing students with the best possible learning experiences and engaging in professional development.
Presentations and publications
Student's misinterpretation of written feedback on their degree programmes: can IFPs do more to help? Presentation at the InForm Conference, UoR, June 2019
An evidence-based re-evaluation of second language listening pedagogy. IATEFL Materials Writing SIG Blog, May 2019. https://mawsig.iatefl.org/an-evidence-based-re-evaluation-of-second-language-listening-pedagogy/
An evidence-based re-evaluation of second language listening pedagogy. Presentation at IATEFL Conference, Liverpool April 2019.
IFP lecture delivery: maximising non-native speaker student engagement. Presentation at InForm Conference, UoR, June 2017
https://www.reading.ac.uk/web/files/inform/Slides_2017_Session_3b_Jane_Ward.pdf
Evidence trumps tradition in L2 listening: the undervalued role of co-text. Presentation at Language Teaching Research Forum, UoR, May 2017
Research and Online Sources: a student's book. Module 6 of the Transferable Academic Skills Kit, with Liz Wilding. Garnet Education: Reading. 2016.
A framework for analysing L2 listening. Presentation at Doctoral Research Conference, UoR, June 2013
Listening training to aid lecture uptake: a 3-pronged attack by linguistic and content trainers. Presentation at InForm Conference, UoR June 2013
Projects and workshops
A re-evaluation of L2 listening teaching: innovative and effective ideas for EAP and general English listening tutors. Regular annual staff development workshop for Pre-sessional Teachers, ISLI
Teaching listening skills: rethinking second language listening pedagogy. Teacher training workshop open to all institutions. July 2019
Sharing expertise in short course development. Project to develop materials for Chinese teachers of English. Department of Education, UoR 2016
Teaching and testing listening skills. Staff development workshop, Institution-Wide Language Programme, UoR 2014
Committees and Boards
Member of Research Committee: ISLI
Member of IFP Board of Studies
Editorial Board Member of InForm: a journal for international foundation programme professionals
Chair of IFP student/staff liaison committee