The English Language Support Unit provides English language training to students in all university departments at RUPP, with the exception of foreign language majors at the Institute of Foreign Languages. To receive a degree or diploma from RUPP, students are required to complete six semesters of English language instruction.

As most textbooks and research materials in Cambodia are written in English or French, foreign language acquisition is essential for students, so that they are able to accomplish at least basic academic research in their field of study by the end of their six semesters of English language training.

Students who have an upper-intermediate level of English proficiency are able to study courses that focus on specific subjects and advanced concepts. In some departments, fourth-year students reach a level of proficiency sufficient to use English as their main tool for completing their research and writing their final thesis. In addition, English language skills greatly assist students in finding employment in all sectors upon graduation.

A Technical Assistance Group (TAG) in English Language was established by RUPP with the assistance of international volunteers in 1991. The TAG worked to retrain former Vietnamese and Russian language teachers to become teachers of English. In 1993, its role expanded to general staff training and providing preparation courses for those embarking on overseas scholarships. The TAG began teaching first-year students in 1997 and subsequently changed its name to the English Language Support Unit (ELSU). In the same year, the Cambodian Government changed its policy, allowing students to focus on either English or French.

Before beginning classes in the first year, students take an English-language placement exam to evaluate their level of English proficiency. Classes operate at various levels depending on the student’s knowledge of English.

A student's semester grade consists of a class grade (60%) and a final exam grade (40%). The class grade takes homework, quizzes, compositions and class participation into account. Students who fail a course must retake that course in order to be eligible for the next level. Some remedial courses are offered during the Summer Session. Students must successfully complete six semesters of English in order to receive their Bachelor's degree.

Internationally recognized textbooks are used in the basic courses. Graded readers are loaned to students by the ELSU. In a number of elective courses, ELSU teachers have compiled material to form course books.

Based on the results of the placement test they sit upon enrolment at RUPP, students are placed in one of the basic courses, English 001,101, 201/203 or 301/303. To fulfil the six-semester foreign language requirement, students placed in 001 will study ENG 001 through ENG 202. Students placed in 101 will study ENG 101 through ENG 302/304. Students placed in 201/203 will study ENG 201/203 through 302/304, plus two elective courses. Students placed in 301/303 will study that course, ENG 302, and four elective courses.

Basic Courses

ENG 101-102 (Elementary Level)

These courses are designed for students who enter the program with a minimal background in English. They study the elementary level of an integrated textbook series. Students who successfully complete ENG 102 are eligible to study ENG 201.

ENG 201-202/203-204 (Pre-Intermediate Level)

In these courses, students continue with the same integrated textbook series as in ENG 101-102 but at a pre-intermediate level. Graded readers are also used. Students who successfully complete ENG 202/204 are eligible to study ENG 301/303.

ENG 301-302/303--304 (Intermediate Level)

These are the last of the Basic Courses. In these two courses, students continue with the integrated textbook series. In addition, students are also introduced to academic reading and writing. Graded readers form an essential part of the curriculum.

Elective Courses

ENG 401-410 (upper-intermediate)

Students who place in ENG 201/203 or ENG 301/303 upon entering the University must subsequently take elective courses for the remainder of their degree. Elective courses are each one semester long. The elective courses presently offered are Academic Reading and Word List, English for Employment, Essay Writing, TOEFL Preparation, Methodology of English Teaching, Speaking Skills, South East Asia Studies, and Research Skills. Essay Writing is a prerequisite for Research Skills.

ENG401 Academic Reading

This course improves students’ reading skills, allowing them to read and analyze texts in their major area of study. The course textbook is Reading for a Reason. In addition, students intensively study academic word lists to help them understand the vocabulary of academic texts. These lists consist of the 570 most frequently used words in academic texts. The final exam consists of a reading text (50%) and a test of vocabulary from the lists (50%).

ENG402 English for Employment

This course develops students' English language proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking by exploring situations and contexts related to business and the job market. Students practice their language skills by role play in a wide range of specific and general professional situations, such as participating in a job interview, preparing a CV or resume, filling out application forms, talking on the telephone, and writing formal and informal letters. In addition, students learn to plan ahead, and prepare for such situations.

ENG403 Speaking Skills

This course improves students’ fluency and pronunciation in spoken English. It also helps to develop critical thinking skills. Students learn how to lead a group discussion, how to reach a group agreement on a controversial issue, how to analyze a problem and how to evaluate possible solutions to that problem. In addition, in an important part of the course, students learn to prepare and deliver presentations, and each student makes at least three presentations during the semester, including a final speech of ten to twelve minutes in length. Finally, pronunciation exercises focus on sounds that are particularly difficult for native speakers of Khmer.

ENG404 Essay Writing

In this course, students learn to write five different types of academic essays: comparison-contrast, process, cause and effect, reaction, and argumentative essays. Students learn how to organize their essays by using the appropriate format, linking words and expressions. They also learn effective methods for planning, revising, and editing their work. Finally, students improve their grammar and develop their critical thinking skills. Note: Essay Writing is a prerequisite for Introduction to Research Skills and iBT TOEFL Preparation.

ENG405 Introduction to Research Skills (Semester II only)

In this course, students learn to write research essays based on information from books, newspapers, and the Internet. They learn how to take notes, paraphrase, and write summaries, and then use these notes to write guided reports. In addition, students write three major assignments based on interviews, questionnaires, and research in the field. Evaluation is based on written assignments, presentations, and class participation. Note: The elective course Essay Writing is a prerequisite for Introduction to Research Skills.

ENG406 Methodology of English Teaching (Semester II only)

This course is intended for students who teach English in their free time, or are planning to do so in the future. It outlines different techniques for teaching grammar, reading, writing, listening, and speaking to students studying English as a second or foreign language.

ENG407 iBT TOEFL Preparation (Semester II only)

This course prepares students for the new iBT (internet based test) TOEFL. Students examine the types of reading, listening, writing, and speaking questions which are assessed as part of the iBT TOEFL, and gain confidence in the test format. They also prepare for the international TOEFL test, which is needed to apply for scholarships overseas or for other professional purposes. Because iBT TOEFL is such a demanding test, only students with a high level of English proficiency should take this course. Note: The elective course Essay Writing or Academic Reading or South East Asia Studies is a prerequisite for iBT TOEFL Preparation.

ENG408 South East Asia Studies

This course will explore the differences and similarities between Cambodia and other nations in Southeast Asia and help understand why other nations have developed very quickly. The course will focus on examining differences in religions, politics, economies, history, and wars. The course will end with a role-play of an ASEAN conference in which students will have to act like representatives of different nations in Southeast Asia and try to persuade other nations to achieve the goals of their country.

To further increase students’ English proficiency, the ELSU offers enrichment courses for all RUPP students and students from other universities around Phnom Penh, and remedial courses for those who have failed or need to make up a semester of their language requirement at RUPP. Both enrichment and remedial courses are usually offered in July, during the university’s summer break.

Signing Up for Courses

Students may enroll in up to THREE enrichment courses of their choice. During registration month, students should go to the English Language Support Unit office (Room 113A, RUPP Campus I) and fill out a registration form with the assistance of a Summer School staff member. Course fees are due upon registration. The cost of remedial courses is 20,000R and the cost of enrichment courses is 25,000R, except TOEFL preparation courses, which cost 40,000R.

Remedial Courses

Whilst the remedial program is part of ELSU’s normal Summer School schedule, it is not a certificate course. Students who have failed their English courses during the academic year must sign up for these courses to gain the credits they need to progress in their degree. Remedial classes meet Monday to Friday for three hours every morning, equaling the number of hours of a regular semester. As the courses run for only one month, a minimum 80% attendance rate is required.

Enrichment Courses

The ELSU office offers various enrichment courses that cover the five major language skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing, and Grammar. Students are encouraged to sign up for enrichment courses that interest them and are within their ability level. Summer School staff will be available during registration month to assist students in the process of choosing classes.

ELSU’s system of assigning course codes can assist students in selecting the appropriate class. For example, courses with numbers of 12a-12b are geared for those who have completed elementary courses (102 English) at RUPP. 22-29-level courses are geared for those having completed high elementary and low pre-intermediate courses (102 or 202 English) at RUPP. 32-39-level courses are for those who have completed higher pre-intermediate or intermediate level (204 or 302). 41-43-level courses are for those who have finished the intermediate level course (304), or elective courses. As a general rule, the higher the course number, the higher the level of proficiency required to complete that course. Enrichment courses meet Monday to Friday, morning or afternoon, for one hour and twenty minutes. A minimum 80% attendance rate is required in all Enrichment courses.

Staffing

Around thirty teachers contribute their time and effort to the summer school program each year, including one coordinator, two assistant coordinators, one office assistant, one office intern, one Self-Access Center intern, about twenty Cambodian teachers, and around five expatriates. The expatriates are from America and Australia.