Providence University (PU) is dedicated to providing a diverse array of ESP, EAP, and EMI courses, fostering a comprehensive campus environment for English learning through both software and hardware initiatives. The strategies are developed to enhance teacher capacity and improve students' English proficiency across six key aspects:
1. Organizational Aspect: The bilingual program is managed at the university level, coordinating efforts across multiple departments. From the 112th academic year, the International College has fully transitioned its courses to English and established the SMART Academic Writing Center, supporting university-wide EMI teaching.
2. Faculty Aspect: The project aims to enhance the quality of EMI teaching with significant results. (1) An EMI faculty community, digital teaching and EMI teaching skill workshops focused on enhancing teacher’s EMI teaching knowledge. (2) EMI teachers will be awarded for EMI teaching. (3) PU collaborates with domestic and international organizations, such as Fulbright EMI Professional Development Program and partners with NSYSU and NTUST to offer inter-university EMI professional development courses and teaching assistant training systems.
3. Student Aspect: The online self-learning group for freshmen was established to enhance student learning through small-group TA tutoring led by TAs. Results from the Empowerment English Proficiency Test (Appendix 6) show significant improvement and will continue to be implemented. TA system supports students with ESP courses after class and offers IELTS preparation classes. Appendix 7 shows that 82.8% of juniors achieved a B2 level, demonstrating significant learning outcomes and will continue to be implemented.
4. Curriculum Aspect: A total of 112 EMI courses and 8 online EMI courses have been opened for all students. Starting from the 112th academic year, English courses with SDGs themes will be offered every semester. In the 113th academic year, these courses will be integrated into the university's English ESP-SDGs themed curriculum, along with a credit program designed to provide all students with pathways to take full English courses and receive guidance in their English learning.
5. Environment Aspect: PU fosters a high-quality bilingual learning environment with bilingual signage, VR-enhanced immersive experiences, and free online English proficiency test practices. Additionally, students are supported in applying their skills through overseas study opportunities and exchange programs.
6. Resource Sharing and Inter-School Cooperation: PU is unique in offering bilingual education programs for both elementary and junior high education. In the 112th academic year, we collaborated with elementary and high schools to promote bilingual education. Furthermore, we partnered with Cerritos College for a three-week summer cultural exchange camp.