The Competency-based Approach in High Education

Abstract

In spite of the reform undergone in higher education in Algeria, there is no real change in English language teaching. But if we examine the changes in other countries including European ones, we shall find that the competency-based approach causes a lot of interest among practitioners of higher education. This paper aims to analyse the concepts ‘ competence’ and ‘competency’ before examining the competency-based approach as an approach based on socio- constructivism which provides a shift from the traditional focus on teacher-centred delivery to learning outcomes and learner-centred educational objectives. It also intends to show this approach as appropriate to the purposes of the reform and to the new demands of life including job requirements.