Results of the BEST Program in National Pingtung University

1、Unity

     National Pingtung University focuses on improving students’ English proficiency based on three key performance indicators (KPIs): (1) the percentage of compulsory English courses for freshmen and sophomores taught in English; (2) the percentage of students whose English proficiency reaches CEFR B2 level; and (3) the percentage of taking at least one EMI course among sophomores and first-year graduate students.

      In the 111 academic year, a school-wide course alteration was carried out, including the first-year basic academic English in the five major colleges (EAP I & EAP II, two credits each semester), and promoting academic English in professional fields for sophomores (academic English in different disciplines, two credits). The teaching team designs teaching materials and integrates listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to meet the needs of students to cope with the wave of bilingual learning reforms.

      The course evaluation is as high as 4.51 points (the total score is 5 points), the score on teaching material design is 4.59 points; teaching behavior and atmosphere, 4.58 points; and the learning assessment, 4.57 points.

2、Organization 

Over the past two years, Pingtung University has been committed to 

advance students’ English learning, improve English learning effectiveness, and enhance EMI teaching. To this end, National Pingtung University has outlined a comprehensive plan to ensure internationally professional talents and sustainable development of higher education. A number of clear and quantifiable core performance indicators have been established. So far, the main results are as follows:

1. Establishing an EMI Development Center 
2. Developing EAP/EMI course rewarding systems, management and screening 
3. Recruiting faculty members and strengthen EMI collaboration 
4. Implementing an EAP/EMI teaching evaluation system, and 
5. Ensuring clear and open information

3、Teachers

In the past two years, the EMI Development Center has planned and implemented a series of professional teaching activities for EAP and EMI teachers, in conjunction with relevant units both inside and outside the school. The aim is to provide a platform for teachers to learn and communicate, assisting them in consolidating teaching consensus, deepening teaching knowledge, and improving teaching skills. The main results are as follows:

1. Improving professional knowledge: EAP/EMI teaching enhancement
2. speeches and workshops in the professional field, a total of 10 sessions, with 408 participants. 
3. Sharing teaching experiences: EAP course preparation and teaching
4. sharing, with a total of 8 times. 
5. Encouraging cooperative learning and research: English teachers and
6. subject teachers jointly participate in bilingual education research. 
7. Establishing teaching communities: A total of 16 for teacher-student language communities, teacher professional communities, and professional English enhancement learning projects.
8. Professional assistant training: A total of 35 participants took part in 5
9. EMI assistant training sessions.

4、Students 

1. To promote motivation and interest: A total of 414 people participated in English learning activities.
2. To enhance expressions and confidence: Students participated in semester-end achievement performance to promote interactions.
3. To strengthen the use of English learning platforms: Students read online and complete self-learning journals to expand learning.
4. To increase opportunities for overseas study: A total of 27 students received subsidies from the Ministry of Education for overseas studies to enrich experiences and broaden horizons.

5、Courses 

In the 111 academic year, the percentage of EGAP/ EAP courses 

reached 30%. A total of 142 courses were offered in the freshman and

sophomore year, all of which are taught in English. In addition, 133 EMI courses were offered.

6、Sharing and Collaboration

In order to effectively integrate and share English teaching resources 

throughout the school, we have set up an EAP course resource sharing platform and teaching community specifically designed for first-year academic English courses and second year professional academic English courses for course design and teaching resource exchange.