Centre of English Language
Founded in 1985, the Centre of English Language (CEL) offers needs-based high-quality
English language programs to students and staff of AKU. The Centre sees
its role as a leader in innovation in English language teaching in
Pakistan and strives to meet the high performance standards set by the University in all its endeavours.
As English is the language of
instruction and communication at AKU, a high level of proficiency in
English is essential for students and staff. CEL thus endeavours to
offer quality English for Specific Purposes (ESP) language courses
within a broad range of academic and professional areas for those who
need them.
The Centre’s own applied
linguistics programme, the Advanced Diploma Programme in Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (ADP in TEFL in Higher Education) was
launched in September 2004. This is a one-year program designed to meet
the needs of university and other tertiary-level lecturers involved in
the teaching of English in the public and private sectors.
In addition to the in-house programs,
CEL offers short courses and workshops to external clients in the areas
of Business English, General English Proficiency, English as a
Foreign/Second Language (EFL/ESL) and English for Specific Purposes
(ESP).
Outside the classroom, CEL faculty
carry out research into various areas of applied linguistics and publish
the resulting research papers in local and international journals. They
also present regularly at language and education conferences both in
Pakistan and overseas. Additionally, the Centre also provides
consultancy services and offers tailor-made courses and workshops to
institutions and corporations based on their specific requirements and
needs.
In
addition to its teaching programmes, CEL is also involved in
language-based research, testing and consultancy. CEL also holds a
biennial international seminar on English language issues. In January
2011, the title of the seminar was “ELT in a Changing World: Innovative
Approach to New Challenges.”
