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The Importance of Freshman English
There are two areas that freshmen need to improve in learning English: Basic
Interpersonal Communication Skills, along with basic reading and
writing skills, and Academic English Ability in professional
fields. In fact, the improvement in Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
will provide the foundation for higher proficiency in Academic English Ability.
In both undergraduate and graduate programs, many courses will be instructed
via English handouts and/or English textbooks. Therefore, a sound foundation
built from freshman English courses will enable students to be successful in
applying for short-term overseas programs, pursuing graduate degrees in foreign
universities, or immigrating to other countries in the future. It will also
enhance students' academic competence and in turn their qualification for the
future job market.
In addition to the practical implication, English itself is an interesting
subject. With proficient English, students' worldviews will be broadened and
their lives will become more fruitful and colorful.
Ideals and Goals of Freshman English
The ideal of freshman English is not only to improve both Basic
Interpersonal Communication Skills and Academic English
Ability but also to enhance students' humanity disposition.
Therefore, students are expected to become fully-functioning persons.
With the idea of student-centered teaching in mind, lecturers will offer
meaningful course contents and materials based on students' backgrounds and
interests; the objective is to shape the students' independent learning
capabilities. The specific goals of those learning capabilities include the
following areas.
Listening: To be able to understand daily conversational
English and to respond properly
Speaking: To be able to communicate with teachers, classmates,
and friends in English in a natural and meaningful fashion
Reading: To be able to apply various reading skills in
understanding the content of general articles
Writing: To be able to clearly express opinions with various
phrases, paragraphs, and articles
Placement test and Differentiating Teaching
Differentiating teaching commenced at the semester of Fall 2006. Based on the
results of the placement test during enrollment, students will be divided into
one of the three levels - Basic, Intermediate, and High-intermediate.
Under this policy, teaching difficulties resulting from the potential huge gaps
among students' competence can be avoided. Students should try their best in
the placement test to avoid improper categorization of their actual English
proficiency. Otherwise, courses can be either too easy or too difficult and
students' learning outcome may then be compromised.
1. The Schedule of English Placement Tests
- Pre-test - in the freshman orientation
- Post-test - at the end of the second semester
2. Course Categorization - three Levels
- Basic
- Intermediate
- High-intermediate
3. Materials - designated course materials for students of the same level
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 For Students of Entrance Year 2006
For Students of Entrance Year 2007
For Students of Entrance Year 2008
For Students of Entrance Year 2009
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Leveling teaching for students of Four-year program in Daytime Department has
commenced since Fall 2006. Based on the results of the English placement
pre-test during student orientation, freshmen will be divided into four levels
- Starter, Basic, Intermediate, and High-intermediate.
Under this policy, teaching difficulties resulting from the potential huge gaps
among students' competence can then be avoided. The English placement post-test
will be taken by the end of the first and the second school year. The result of
the first post-test will be the leveling criterion of Sophomore English for
sophomores.
For both Freshman English and Sophomore English, two credits are respectively
required in each semester. That is to say, eight credits in total are required
within two years.
Students should try their best in the placement test to avoid improper
categorization of their actual English proficiency. Otherwise, courses can be
either too easy or too difficult, and students' learning outcome may then be
compromised.
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 The Schedule of Relevant Tests
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Placement Test |
Pre-test |
Post-test |
| Freshmen |
During Orientation |
N/A |
End of School Year |
| Sophormores |
N/A |
Beginning of School Year |
End of School Year |
Course Categorization:Four Levels
 Starter(Newly set level from Fall 2009)
Basic
Intermediate
High-intermediate
Course Materials:Unified materials within the same level
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Testing and Evaluation:
The grade of joint exam, taken by all freshmen and sophomores in the end of the semester, counts for 20%~25% of the semester grade.
Freshman students in Starter level have to receive 2 hours of TA's tutoring in FLC weekly.
Freshman students in Basic level have to finish 5 hours of self-learning in FLC each semester, which counts for 5% of the semester grade.
Freshman students in Intermediate and High-intermediate levels have to finish reading 2 books designated by FLC each semester, which counts for 5% of the semester grade.
Sophomore students have to finish reading 1 book designated by individual lecturers each semester, which counts for 5% of the semester grade.
Adjustment of Student Placement:
After the first semester, the adjustment of placement may be applied if found unsuitable. In this case, only one level of upgrading /downgrading each time is allowed – from Basic to Intermediate or from Intermediate to High-intermediate, and vice versa.
Conditions for Upgrading:
Semester grade over 85
Qualified attendance judged by lecturers
Overall evaluation from lectures
Conditions for Downgrading:
Semester grade below 55
Qualified attendance judged by lecturers
Overall evaluation from lecturers
Procedures for Application:
Filling in the application form with the lecturer's signature
Offering the copy of the semester transcript
Applying with forms during the add-and-drop period
Pathway of Freshman English
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For Students of Entrance Year 2010
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English Requirements for Graduation
For students of the entrance year in/after 2008 in Four-year program of Daytime Department, it is required to pass one of
the tests with the right criterion, made by individual departments, by the end of the third school year. For details, please visit the website of Foreign Language Center.
English Credits Waiving
For non-English major students, in Four-year program of Daytime Department or Evening Department, who are holding
certain English certificates are eligible for credit waiving in required English courses. For details, please visit the website of Foreign Language Center.
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