James Yu-Shan Liu

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Challenges Opportunities Faced by
Web-Enhanced English Teaching in Taiwan
James Yu-Shan Liu myfanyi_at_thit.edu.tw Dean ,
Continuation Education College
Ta-hwa Institute of Technology, Hsin-Chu,Taiwan
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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Pre-Words
?We acquire language when we receive
comprehensible input in a low anxiety
situation,We do not, in other words, acquire
language by learning about language, by study of
the rules and by memorizing vocabulary?Comprehens
ible input
(Krasen,2003 Dealing with English Fever)
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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?Free voluntary reading is an extremely
powerful form of comprehensible input, and it is
delivered in a low-anxiety environment?The
Importance of Recreational Reading
(Krasen,2003 Dealing with English Fever)
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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?I believe an able person can learn English
in 30hrs, Learn French in 30 days and learn
German in 30 years ?Mark Twain (But after 30 hrs
in English-learning, You should be able to learn
English Every Day!)
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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Introduction
Two conflicting Issues
? Students in Engineering Vocational Education
(EVE) are not Performing well in
English-Learning.
? English-Learning is getting more more
important . -English Proficiency as
prerequisite, not as privilege -English
Everywhere (Academic, Business, Technology,
Leisure,
Shopping, Traveling.etc.) -English Capability
as indicator of International Competitiveness
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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High Pay Off for Learning English Well

• ? Benefit of English Learning in Engineering
• Vocational Education (EVE)
• Leveraging Globalization of
  Technology Market
• Building English Capability as
  Learning Platform
• Access to Internet /web-based
  knowledge

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July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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? Problems in English-Learning of EVE
Relatively Low Performance ? Few
Students meet TOFEL 500-550 ? Few
Students think they can pass GEPT entry level.
Lacking of Motivation ex(1)
Ta-hwa Survey shows few students (45)
do see learning English as a hobby
or an interest.
(2) Fewer students (30) prefer all
English Teaching
Environment. Weak foundation(Vocabular
y, Grammar,etc) exCan Students
really meet following entry-level?
1000 words (Middle school level)
5000 words (High school level)
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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Ways to Improvement
? Core-ConceptEnglish-Learning as a life-time
hobby habit
Talking
Reading
? Free-style ? Conversation ? Theme-Discussion
? Comics ? Story ? Journal
Hobby Learning
(Cf. Stephen Krashen, 2003)
Listening
Writing
? Phrases ? Notes ? e-mail/Business letter
? Music ? Movie ? English Lectures
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Experience of Ta-hwa
? English Teaching Platform (http//140.126.109.
30/) (e-learning Digitalized Materials) ?
Grouping Students by their Proficiency Level ?
Small-Group Interactive Teaching (Foreign
Teachers paired with Local Teachers)
International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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English Teaching Platform (20012003)
2. Business English
e-
1. General English
Basic Advanced Applied
learning
3. Technology English
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July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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Total Quality Learning (TQL) English
Campus (20032005)
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July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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Conclusion

• ? Hobby in LearningLet students really enjoy
  learning English.
• ? Faith in TeachingStudents in EVE can be
  encouraged to learn
• , to talk to
  enjoy English.
• ? English for FunDont be too serious with why
  they learn, how
• they learn, and
  their pronunciationgrammar.
• ( Just help them
  stand up, speak up write up.)
  e.g.World-Class Enterprise Campaign
  (1997-1998)

International Conference on Engineering Education
July2529,2005,Gliwice,Poland
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