1C: Requirements For English in Taiwan: Notes and Feedback

 Team 1C Notes and Feedback

 Prepared Questions 
1.Do the requirements for English really help students to learn and raise their ability? 
2. If so, why do many students have such poor fluency?
3. Is there a problem with the educational system? 
4. Do you thin Taiwan's exams can successfully evaluate a students' English ability?
5. How can exams be improved in the future?
6. Why do Taiwanese students have lower TOEFL grades than students in Japan or Korea?

English instruction isn't only for the learning of grammar and vocabulary but to use the language for communication. If a student doesn't pass an English examination, it doesn't necessarily mean his or her English ability is poor; it may just be the test is misdirected.

Notes and Feedback

      In the first half of the presentation, Mr. David Temple told us about his life in New York and Taiwan but said we might be more interested in other topics he prepared. "English is not a test; it is a language that you use. In fact, using English is important but so is the result of English tests you have to take." Perhaps we can change the focus on the tests we take instead of doing without them.

      During the second half of the presentation, Mr. Temple answered questions that we had in mind:
Question: Why do women in America choose to take their husband's family name when they get married? 
Response: The teacher said he wasn't sure. Perhaps they think it is good for their families. Women do have a choice to keep their maiden name.  If there is inequality for women in Taiwanese society, he said, women have to keep trying and never give up to make changes.

Question: Why does  there seem to be such serious racism in the U.S.? 
Response: In the media (television, radio, newspapers, internet, etc.) the big business ruling class in the government influences people and puts bad ideas into our heads.  They do not want people to get together and organize against them so they divide us. People follow the incorrect news thoughtlessly.

Question: Are there any "green" buildings in the U.S.?
Response: It depends on the city and area. In fact, in many ways, Taiwan as a whole is "greener" than the U.S. despite U.S. business moving many pollution factories and industry here to protect our own environment and ruin Taiwan's. Generally, Taiwan still recycles more than in the U.S. For example, while leftover food in markets and restaurants in the U.S. are discarded, they are collected in Taiwan either for compost or as food for farm animals such as pigs. 

Quotes of Encouragement

1. "To understand is hard. Once one understands, action is easy." Sun Yat-Sen 
2. "I walk slowly but I never walk backward." Abraham Lincoln
3. "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi