Course Selection Guidelines<br><br>English language teaching courses are grounded in diverse theoretical frameworks and research perspectives, which shape the distinct focus of each course. Together, these courses build interconnected knowledge that supports the development of students’ professional competencies in English language education. Students are encouraged to review the following course guidelines and choose those that best match their research interests and career goals, to deepen their learning and build expertise in English language teaching.<br><br>I. Foundational Theoretical Courses (Cornerstone: Choose One)<br><br>1. Introduction to Foreign Language Learning and Training<br>This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the theory, research, and practice of language teaching, establishing a methodological foundation for future language educators. It explores current foreign language teaching approaches, fundamental principles of language learning and teaching, and their application in diverse instructional contexts. Beyond theoretical understanding, the course equips prospective teachers with practical teaching strategies and techniques aligned with established pedagogical principles. Through interactive activities and hands-on teaching experiences, students will examine effective instructional methods and learning resources, fostering their teaching competencies and professional growth.<br><br>2. Introduction to Second Language Acquisition<br>This course provides an introduction to the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), covering its key theories, research methodologies, and pedagogical applications. Students will examine various theories and hypotheses related to language learning, including first language acquisition, language input/output, and interlanguage. The course also explores factors affecting SLA, such as age, first language background, language aptitude, motivation, attitude, personality, learning styles, and strategies. Students will engage with scholarly literature, participate in class discussions, and conduct case analyses to deepen their theoretical understanding and practical application of SLA concepts.<br><br>II. Thematic and Research-Oriented Courses (Keystone: Choose Three)<br><br>1. Translation and Foreign Language Teaching<br>This course examines the interplay between translation and foreign language teaching from three perspectives: the use of translation activities to enhance language instruction, language development for translators and interpreters, and the shared foundations and collaborative potential between the two fields. Students will engage with relevant theories and practices, analyze teaching materials, and design and implement lesson plans. By the end of the course, they will have a deeper understanding of how translation can support language learning and teaching, while also improving their own skills as language learners and as translators/interpreters.<br><br>2. Language Learning Strategies and Instruction<br>This course integrates theory and practice in second language teaching, with a focus on language learning strategies (LLS) to enhance instructional effectiveness. Students will examine the theoretical foundations of LLS, explore methods for understanding learners’ cognitive, metacognitive, and emotional processes, and develop instructional materials and activities aligned with strategy-based teaching. Emphasizing strategy-based instruction across listening, speaking, reading, and writing, the course incorporates interactive learning, teaching simulations, and research-driven projects. Students will also investigate the application of LLS in technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) and engage in self-reflection and peer evaluation to refine their teaching practices.<br><br>3. Introduction to Language Education Policy<br>Focusing on the intersections of language, education, and policy, this course introduces core theories in the field of language policy and planning and basic methods for conducting policy research. It engages future language educators in discussions and decision-making around language issues. Throughout the one-semester course, students will be prompted to critically examine the role of English in Taiwan’s sociolinguistic landscape by analyzing a number of key language policy documents in Taiwan (e.g., Bilingual 2030, the National Languages Development Act, the 108 Curriculum Guideline, and the 2020 National Census results).<br><br>4. Introduction to Language Testing<br>This course aims to develop students’ understanding of fundamental concepts and key theories in language testing, with a focus on principles of language test development. Students will enhance their language assessment literacy through hands-on experience designing and analyzing test items. The course also introduces basic statistical methods for measuring test reliability and validity, enabling students to make informed judgments about test usefulness and key features of test design.<br><br>5. Technology-Enhanced Language Learning (TELL)<br>This course purports to offer students with a solid theoretical foundation in TELL and cultivate their ability in analyzing and evaluating the utility of digital tools (e.g., apps and websites) in supporting foreign language learning. Building on this foundation, students will design and implement a variety of technology-mediated tasks for the learners at the secondary and tertiary levels of education.<br><br><br>6. Critical Literacy and English-Language Education<br>This course introduces the core concepts of critical literacy, emphasizing how language and power influence meaning-making processes. Focusing on English learning materials as primary texts, students will learn to actively interpret texts and identify underlying assumptions. The course guides students in analyzing representations, ideologies, and power relations embedded in teaching materials. Students will explore strategies for integrating critical literacy into diverse classrooms, fostering inclusive and socially conscious learning environments.<br><br>III. Capstone Inquiry and Application (Capstone)<br>Special Topics in Foreign Language Teaching: Recent Issues in TESOL<br>This course is designed to develop students’ understanding of key issues and emerging research trends in the field of TESOL, along with their critical thinking skills. It focuses on diverse contemporary perspectives in English language teaching, examining both theoretical and practical dimensions. Core topics include English globalization, English language teaching through the lens of World Englishes, the implications of English as a lingua franca, the roles of native and non-native English-speaking teachers in the profession, bilingualism and bilingual education, Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), and the phenomenon of private English education (cram schools) in East Asia.