Abstract:

Blended learning (BL) is generally defined as the combination of two teaching approaches which are traditional face-to-face and online. According to Banados (2006), BL is ‘the combination of technology and classroom teaching in a flexible way in learning’. The term covers the use of technology by integrating the use of computers and the internet into the teaching process. By applying BL, value can be added to the teaching process and thus courses can be enriched. Although the term has become common, there is not research enough showing the underlying principles of designing a Blended Course. This presentation presents a study conducted on designing a blended course in an EAP (English for Academic Purposes) context considering my learners’ needs within the course. In this talk, I will first give information about the procedures that I went through while conducting and analyzing the needs analysis questionnaires and diagnostic tests and share their results. Then, I will introduce the online tools and learning platform that I chose to integrate into my course. Finally, I will show the blended course that I have designed, outline the main implications of this study and discuss the different ways of designing such a blended course in an EAP context.

Keywords:

EAP, blended learning, course design.