by Amy Chao
Last December, a survey of student needs in second foreign language (SFL) learning revealed that 84 per cent of the 155 respondents were interested in a more intensive SFL program (e.g. 6-8 hours per week); and 84 per cent said they would be more interested in such a program if it could lead to a degree or certificate, for example, a minor degree. At present, students relying solely on their DFLL second foreign language training will probably end up with a rather limited knowledge of their respective languages, since only 12 credits in an SFL are currently required for graduation. In order to address and help remedy the situation, a number of SFL teachers got together and drew up a new SFL program, which will include a two semester, 4-credit culture course for French and German, covering media, film and historical background, and starting next semester. The new courses will adopt an interactive approach, in which students will give presentations and/or work on individual projects. Professor Jaumann, for example, would like to do something creative, like having students catch with a camera any German sights they encounter, such as a German car, a German cafe, or German people in the streets of Taipei; then maybe hold an exhibition of all the works collected. As Taiwan’s trade and cultural relations with Europe continue to grow ever closer, NTU SFL teachers are exploring the possibility of an interdisciplinary course in European tudies. The proposed culture courses for German and French will approach the European Community as an integral entity. Since the new culture courses will be given mainly in the respective foreign languages, students taking these courses must have completed at least two years of language study. There are various options to avoid adding an extra year onto the student’s program of study. One is to take summer courses at NTU; another is to attend an overseas summer language school. This year, for example, over 60 students signed up for the summer course in German at the Bremen Hochschule. After their return to Taiwan, students can receive six credits for German II or German III if they pass a proficiency test administered by the DFLL. The new SFL program will aim to offer students a broader view of the world, for example, by preparing students for a trip or graduate studies in European countries, or even for a career in a related field. According to the survey, students from levels II and III of each respective language believe that they are quite likely to make use of their SFL in their future professional career. There is another proposal, also pending approval, to award students an intradepartmental minor degree, a minor degree, or a certificate issued by the DFLL, if they complete 32 required credits in a second foreign language. These 32 credits will include levels I, II and III of the respective language, a culture course and a literature course. This proposal has been OK-ed by the DFLL Curriculum Committee, and is now being forwarded to the Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education for approval. If passed, students will have the option of earning an additional qualification or certificate as part of their DFLL program. This “little” change, however, has caused SFL teachers a lot of hard work in trying to fit all the new courses into their already busy schedules. But as Professor Jaumann says, “hopefully this new program will benefit students and teachers who are eager to learn and teach something more demanding.” Interested? Then why not go for it? a
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May 2024
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