By Shawn S.W. Kim
English is the most important international language and is becoming more and more popular in Taiwan. However, it is also a somewhat bitter subject for many of us. Students have studied grammar and word lists far into the night only to realize that they still can’t speak English well. In my Freshman English class at Taida, I heard other students say that they had simply given up: “I’ve studied English for so many years and I still don’t know anything.” It seems sad that despite all the money, time, and energy spent on learning the language, the outcome is not very satisfying. Many students in Taiwan seem to think it’s simply impossible to learn English here, and that you have to go abroad if you want to see improvement. Although it can be helpful, studying English in a foreign country is not absolutely necessary. The problem is not where, but how one studies. I know many students from Taiwan who have studied in the United States for years but still have trouble with English. Likewise, I have met many students who have never gone abroad but speak excellent English. One does not need a plane ticket to speak English, but only a change in basic assumptions and study methods. First and foremost, students should approach English by reminding themselves that language is a tool, a skill, and not only an academic subject. The only way to improve a skill is to practice it. Singing English songs, watching English movies, reading English books for pleasure, and making conversation in English are all excellent ways to learn it. Just studying word lists, sweating over grammar exercises, or translating every word into Chinese are bad study methods that don’t work to develop communicative competence. Of course, some study is necessary, but the proportion of study to practice must change. Don’t just study English, practice it. A second and even more evil English-learning myth is that only native speakers can teach it. Some native speakers are not properly trained, may not even like teaching, or do not understand Chinese culture or language to reach out to local students. This is especially true in many cram school English classes, which are very numerous in Taiwan. Of course, some native speakers are excellent teachers, but you will learn best from a good teacher, no matter where he or she is born. Finally, the third and perhaps silliest assumption that inhibits English learning is the idea that one shouldn’t speak English until able to do so perfectly. I have realized that this horrible attitude actually stops the majority of my classmates from learning the language, because the only way to get better is to practice. Making mistakes is a positive part of the learning process. You can’t become a soccer star by just studying a book, and you can’t speak English without actually trying to speak it. In my opinion, uprooting these shortsighted assumptions can revitalize English education in Taiwan. Parents and students must change the way they think about English in order to achieve their learning goals. Teachers too need to evaluate their methods and attitudes, and replace them with new techniques and proven approaches. Close cooperation via mutual respect between teacher and students would be the first giant step towards this sort of educational reform. #Volume 6 Issue 3 a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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