Kuala Terengganu, 10 June, 2012 - Thirty-eight high school leavers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the guardianship of a team supervisor arrived at Kuala Terengganu over the weekend to begin what is to be a six-week intensive English program at UCSI University's Terengganu campus at Bukit Khor, Marang.

Based on the ARM – active learning, reflection and modeling – teaching and learning method employed at the UCSI English Academy, the six weeks' language camp is specially designed to develop the learners' competency in English speaking, listening, reading and writing in an international environment. It is expected to be an intensive, yet enjoyable learning experience in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities on and off the campus.

Associate Professor Dr Keith Robert Thomas, Chief Operating Officer and Head of the School of Education at UCSI University, Kuala Terengganu campus welcomed the learners called for the latter to take every opportunity offered to them to learn as much as possible from not just teachers who are well trained in their teaching methods, but also from all staff and students involved in supporting the program; UCSI University being an international university offers English language learners the unique opportunity to practice English as it is spoken and used by people from all over the world.  And the Terengganu campus offers the learners a peaceful and tranquil environment to learn and establish friendships in non-hurried ways.

"Aside from three lead teachers each trained locally and in Australia and the United States, we would invite guest-teachers from New Zealand, the United Kingdom and those trained in Canada and other English speaking countries to hold conversation sessions with you, so that you will be familiar with English as it is used as an international language of trade, academia and cross cultural exchange," said Ms Margaret Soo, Head of the UCSI English Academy as she introduced the learners to her team of teachers, outdoor team-building coordinators and secretariat support staff during a one-hour welcome ceremony.

"You will not just be assessed before, during, and after the intensive learning sessions, you will also be video recorded and have your performance monitored and reported weekly to your sponsor.  To enable you to share your progress with friends and family members we will first teach you the art and science of blogging, a communication channel many have learned to use to share their thoughts and experience – you will appreciate our emphasis in helping our learners keep pace with ICT," she informed.

The UCSI English Academy works in partnership with the School of Education which provides the academy with teaching resources.  Situated at UCSI University's Terengganu campus at Bukit Khor, Marang, it has recently been appointed a test venue for IELTS by the British Council.