2007.07.12

1. History

Since its foundation on May 28th 2000, the Department of Applied English has developed into

 a vibrant center for the study of the English language and all its applications.  The courses

offered ensure that graduating students emerge with not only highly developed linguistic skills,

but also an ability to apply these skills in areas as diverse as education, business and

community service.  In addition, this department aims to foster cultural awareness, social

competence and self-confidence, so that at the completion of their studies our students are

 well prepared to enter the workplace as English language professionals, or proceed smoothly

into postgraduate studies, either within Taiwan or overseas.

The Department of Applied English is well equipped to carry out its mission, in terms of

both personnel and facilities.  There are currently 16 full-time faculty members and 9

 part-time instructors.  In addition to 26 general classrooms, the department also contains

four high-tech language laboratories and one multi-media language conference room,

 with full audio-visual facilities.  The department works in close cooperation with the Leader

University Language Center to provide students with facilities for self-study.  In the

comfortable and relaxed environment of the Language Center, students can make use

 of a range of audio-visual materials to improve all aspects of their English.  In addition,

students can sign up for small-group conversation practice with native-speaking teachers.

Courses currently offered include day and evening four-year degrees, requiring 128 credit

 hours for graduation, and a two-year senior college degree, which requires 76 credit hours. 

In addition to required and elective courses, students of the department regularly participate

in extracurricular activities, such as national recitation and speech competitions, English

 drama festivals and singing competitions.  Students from the department have also been

asked to assist as interpreters in a number of international events, such as the 2001 Wataboshi

Music Festival, the 2003 Formosa International Dragon Boat Competition, and the 2004 World

University Baseball Championships. 

2. Graduate Institute of Applied English

“Graduate Institute of Foreign Languages and Literature” was established in 2003 in order to

 prepare students for a society that is becoming increasingly more diverse, both ethnically

 and culturally.  In response to the current trends, the institute was renamed “The Graduate

 Institute of Applied English” in 2005. 

Graduates of university division courses can continue their studies in Leader University's

Graduate Institute of Applied English. The joint aims of this institute are to promote study and

research into English and American Literature, and to cultivate teaching professionals with

 a strong practical and theoretical grounding in English language teaching pedagogy.

3. Features

The Department of Applied English at Leader University has three major features:

a.    Instruction is based on contemporary educational theory

All instructors within the department have a thorough grounding in modern language teaching

methodology.  Therefore, classes are lively and student-centered, and aim to develop real

communicative ability in all students.

b.    Courses are designed to meet the real needs of students

Foundation courses provide intensive training in reading, writing, speaking and listening, and

the application of these skills to real-world situations.  To ensure a professional standard is

achieved, all students must pass a general proficiency test before graduation.  At higher levels,

 students may choose elective courses which develop specialist skills for future careers in education

 or business, or prepare them for postgraduate study.

c.    Concern for the individual growth and development of each student

The Department of Applied English places special emphasis on the development of personality,

character and self-confidence in each student.  To this end, students are given many opportunities

to participate in English-related activities, use their skills to assist in the community, and enter all

 kinds of competitions.  They are encouraged to further their skills through self-study, and take

advantage of our office hours system to practice conversation with native-speaking teachers.

4. Career Paths

The department’s curriculum design allows students to move in three possible career directions:

a.  Business and Commerce

Apart from required courses in business reading and writing, students can take elective courses in

Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Translation, Business Presentations,

Web Page Design, etc..  These courses pave the way for careers in international trade, international

 business administration, marketing, finance and investment etc..

b. Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)

Students interested in a teaching career can choose courses such as Teaching Materials and

Methodology, Second Language Acquisition, Classroom Interaction and Management and

Children’s Literature.  They can also gain practical teaching experience in nearby elementary

schools.

c.  Postgraduate Study

The department offers a number of courses which set students in the direction of Master’s and

Doctoral study.  Courses such as Introduction to Linguistics, Phonetics, Syntax, Introduction to

Western Literature, Drama, Poetry and TOEFL Analysis prepare students for higher study, either

 in Taiwan or abroad. 

5. Coalitions

Apart from the cultivation of English language professionals from within our own department, we

 also aim to foster high levels of English proficiency in students majoring in other professional fields. 

 To this end, we co-operate with other departments on campus in designing and staffing both

general English proficiency courses and also courses geared to the specific needs of each

particular discipline.

We also work closely with the Department of Applied Japanese and the Department of Interpretation

 and Translation to offer a wide range of course options geared to the specific vocational needs

and interests of students within the languages division.

In keeping with Leader’s policy of integration with the community, we have established close ties

with local elementary and junior high schools.  In addition, we have co-operated with various

community organizations in the conducting of activities for various disadvantaged groups. 

Such associations not only provide our students with valuable professional experience, but also

enhance the school’s reputation within the community.

6. Future Directions

The department’s future plans are centered around the twin goals of establishing links with the

outside world, and strengthening the academic standing of the faculty.  In line with Leader’s policy

of forging alliances with industry, the department plans to offer an increasing range of employee

training programs for local businesses, and at the same time create opportunities for practical

 workplace training for our students.  In addition, we are negotiating to establish sister-school

relationships with academic institutions in Britain, Australia and the United States, in order to

facilitate more opportunities for international communication for our students.  At the same time,

the strengthening of the academic resources of the department is an ongoing priority.  Instructors

are being encouraged to pursue doctoral study, and it is hoped that a lively atmosphere for research

 can be established over the next few years.