The English Language Centre (ELC) at the University of Macau (UM) was established in September of 2002 and is currently housed on the lower-ground floor of the University Library. The ELC is an independent teaching unit but works closely with other departments to encourage students to improve their skills and confidence with academic and professional English. The Centre provides a range of English language enhancement courses aimed at meeting the needs of students enrolled in various majors at the university.

Over twenty experienced and dedicated teachers holding at least a master’s degree in Applied Linguistics, TESL/TEFL (Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language) or related field of expertise are employed at the Centre. These teachers bring a wealth of global experience to their classrooms and are able to draw upon technical knowledge of applied linguistics as well as current trends in language learning pedagogy and emerging multi-media technologies as they implement integrated-skill courses in English. In addition, the ELC works with The Hong Kong – America centre to host four Fulbright English Teaching Assistants every year. The Fulbright ETAs offer regular English Table events in the UM Library Cafe (just downstairs from the ELC), participate in cultural immersion field trips for UM students, offer special events at the American Corner of the UM Library, and generally work to enhance fluency and comfort in English through informal conversations and social activities.

The ELC also offers focused English courses for students in particular majors (e.g. English for Law students, English for Engineering students) and offers a summer intensive program for prospective undergraduates. The ELC works very hard to promote the use of English on campus, as evidenced by an English Festival held every semester and educational seminars conducted by invited academic specialists who are internationally-recognized leaders in their fields.

The ELC’s EWCC (English Writing and Communication Centre) provides chat-rooms, tutorials, workshops and individual consultations to improve students’ speaking and writing skills. Hundreds of UM students are provided with individual writing consultations each semester. The EWCC Review (formerly known as CREWzine) is edited and published by EWCC and provides a creative outlet for students wishing to contribute articles, poems or photos.

Expansion of the ELC’s Testing and Language Laboratory Centre will result in nearly 60 learning and testing stations available for whole-class or individualized use by April of 2009. Serving as a local representative of ETS (Educational Testing Services) in the U.S.A., the Centre works with the Institute of International Education in Hong Kong to promote and administer standardized exams such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT), the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), SAT, GRE and ACT.

Welcome to the University of Macau’s English Language Centre’s website!