Studio Classroom

English learning has become a popular trend in Taiwan
　　 Being globalized and having international vision is regarded as the trend to worldly development. We hear “Global Village” all the time! How could people living in the same village communicate with each other if they do not use the same language? Therefore, English is dominant in the global village, and the capability of your English is an indicator to your competence in the world. English is no longer a specific subject, but also an important communication channel to step into the global village. Basically, learning English has become a grass roots movement in Taiwan.

　　As an international language, English is used as the primary media on most of the important knowledge in the world, especially the information on internet. In fact, English has become a mutual language. An Indonesian executive working in Beijing, a German official working in France, or a Chilean biologist holding a meeting in Ice Island, all have to use English to be able communicate with each other. If we reinforce English learning to enhance the English communication capability, we can use English to communicate with the world, and surf easily for all kinds of knowledge via internet access.

English Village in Tao Yuan (Photo by TaoYuan Government)

English Globalization
　　 Presently, there are about one fourth of the populations in the world using English as a communication tool, which is far more than the native speakers. More than 70 countries have made English their official language, and over one hundred countries choose English as the second language or the major foreign language subject, and the number is still growing.

　　The wave of English globalization is also hitting Taiwan’s education; it even brings about a huge impact on policy making. According to the report, to speed up the steps to internationalization, the Executive Yuan has already proclaimed to elevate English as a semi- official language in the near future. For example, the “Developing E-generation talents” project submitted by The Research, Development and Evaluation Commission (REDC) aimed at creating an internationalized living environment and elevating the English ability of people. The specific measures include five objectives: creating an English environment, balancing the English education resources between cities and rural areas, internationalizing higher education, enhancing the English ability of public employees, and promoting English and international culture learning.

The Influence of English Globalization
　　Thus, there are more and more bilingual road signs being erected, and English villages are being set up in some elementary schools. Taipei City and Taipei County even provide culturally disadvantaged children with the chance of free English camps in summer and winter vacations. In addition, more applied English institutes or departments are established in universities to attract students and public employees will be asked to pass an English test in the future.

　　The English globalization affects most countries whose native language is not English, Taiwan is no exception.