Courses
Two-track curriculum
Our department offers two paths that allow students to specialize. One is to prepare for a career in the teaching of English through the study of Applied Linguistics (including English Teaching), and the other is to prepare to enter the field of written and oral translation through the study of theory and practice in Oral Interpretation and Translation. From their sophomore year, students can begin their specialized training by choosing either path, depending on their interest and career plans. These two paths will allow students to consolidate their knowledge in literature, culture, and language—fundamental courses for the first two years—into practical application in the final two years.
Our courses for the first two years focus on the acquisition of advanced language skills, along with an understanding of the fundamentals of literature, culture, and communication, and including basic training in various approaches to doing research. The courses in the last two years then focus on application of theories and the integration of knowledge. The rationale behind the course design is to keep theory and practice in balance. Our curriculum focuses on the core abilities of the students through the study of not only foreign language skills, but also language teaching theory and methodology, and translation/interpretation theories and principles. The pyramidal structure of the curriculum (see Curriculum Pyramid below) is solid and provides a strong base of language skills training. The second layer of the curriculum pyramid explores culture, communication, and literature. These two fundamental layers of the pyramid provide support for the future success of students’ professional aims in the areas of language teaching, translation/interpretation, and other related fields. This curriculum design not only meets the needs of both the market and the development of society, it also sets the foundation for character development to prepare for the era of globalization in which the need for communication skills between different cultural communities based on English is paramount.
We look forward to developing students who can:
1. use what they have learned about Western literature to analyze and understand other cultures
2. contribute to the development of the social sciences, humanities, and culture and arts in society
3. become professional translators and writers of English materials
4. become secondary school teachers
5. use English to become effective participants in the media industry
Our curriculum will aid students in procuring professional licenses and qualifications; for example, certification as oral or written English translators, qualifications for work in the tourism industry, qualifying in foreign language examinations for overseas work or study and qualifying in various other English language tests for further education or promotion in the workplace.
Curriculum Pyramid
Combining Skills
This department’s English skills training, literature, culture, and communication, form the basis of our curriculum. Besides these fundamental language and skills courses, other courses offer opportunities for professional development. For example, in the literature area, specific courses are offered to enhance translation and interpretation skills. Language analysis and culture and communication courses include cross-cultural communication and provide a strong foundation in teaching theory and practice. The different courses (see Course Map below) enhance an interdisciplinary relationship, which not only can strengthen specialized knowledge but also allow students the opportunity to choose from a variety of course selections.
Course Map
Language Training Courses
We offer comprehensive language training programs, focusing on listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translating skills throughout the four years at school. We use advanced multimedia facilities to generate the best learning results, providing students with solid training in every aspect of language learning.
Freshmen are required to take Conversation, Advanced Reading, and Paragraph and Short Essay Writing. Building on these skills, the sophomores are offered ESP (English for Special Purposes) oral training courses such as English for Tourism, Literature Discussion, Business English, and English in the News. These courses have parallel ESP writing courses for juniors, including Creative Writing, Business English, and English for Journalism; a general course in essay writing is also offered. Juniors are also required to take Public Speaking and can also choose Debate as an elective. Seniors can elect to take Advanced Business English and/or Media English.
Literature
Literature courses cultivate the ability to appreciate literary works and develop ways to read classic Western literary works. This improves their analytical skills, broadens their world view, and fosters their sense of altruism. The language and culture background the students receive will provide depth to the other four areas of the curriculum.
Language, Culture, and Communication
Language, culture, and communication courses explore the relationships among language structure, culture and society, and negotiation and related issues, and promote cross-cultural understanding. These in turn will strengthen students’ foundation of knowledge of the core courses in Language Teaching and Translation/Interpretation to meet the needs of a multi-faceted and fast changing world.
Language Teaching Courses
These courses are both theory and practice oriented. Students will learn to apply theory to classroom situations, verifying theories through their own learning and teaching. They also help students to integrate methods and materials by introducing an historical overview of teaching methodology and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of these theories. Besides teaching methodology, students also study various means of assessment and evaluation. Finally, courses such as Reading and Language Learning and Research Methods in Language Teaching will provide opportunities for students to discuss various research methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, in order to prepare them for future research endeavors.
Translation and Interpretation