MC Benchmarks with the National University of Singapore

The executive officials of Mabalacat College, headed by Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, visited the Center for English Language Communication (CELC) of the National University of Singapore (NUS) on October 28, 2009. The purpose of the visit is to look into NUS’ effective approaches in the teaching of English language to Asian students.

            Lee Kooi Cheng (KC Lee), the Deputy Director of the CELC, is optimistic that MC and NUS can explore possible areas for collaboration. She is also interested to know the meaning of “English proficiency” in the Philippines so that both institutions may settle the language proficiency “predictors.”

            Through a roundtable discussion and facility visit, MC delegation observed that CELC is a student support unit of NUS. Upon determination of the English language proficiency of a student, CELC may either require him to take remedial courses or recommend his enrollment in regular classes. The remedial courses are delivered by module and the students are free to take these modules at their convenient time during their stint at NUS. CELC has course coordinators or tutors who evaluate the students’ progress.

            Dr. Leonardo C. Canlas, for his part, gave a short history of Mabalacat College. He explained that the College aimed to produce globally competitive graduates. This is the reason behind the benchmarking.

             The MC delegation also visited the SEAMEO Regional English Language Center for the same purpose. The MC delegation included: Dr. Eriberta T. Maglaqui, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Atty. Robert John I. Donesa, College Secretary. Vice Mayor Prospero T. Lagman and Councilor Tomas P. Manalo of the Municipality of Mabalacat also join the delegation.