Two Decades of Changes in the English Ability of Freshmen at a University in Taiwan

近二十年來臺灣大一新生英語能力之變遷：以某私立大學為例

幸雅各(James M. Sims)；劉正(Jeng Liu)

英語能力的轉變 ； 英文分班測驗 ； 文法 ； 閱讀 ； 聽力 ； Changes in English ability ； Placement exam ； Grammar ； Reading ； Listening

Hwa Kang English Journal

19卷（2013 / 12 / 01）

23 - 51

英文

過去二十年來，臺灣的英語教育已有不少改變，但很少有研究關注大學新生英語能力的實際變化情況。本研究採用變異數分析，比較1998年至2010年間臺灣某私立大學新生在文法、閱讀及聽力成績上的歷年差異。研究結果顯示，十二年間，儘管學生的文法及閱讀分數最初有下降的趨勢，但下滑情況在近五年已所有減緩，而聽力分數則呈現明顯的增長曲線。這或許表示，臺灣在改善學生英語聽力上的努力，已經產生了實質成果。

Over the last two decades there have been numerous changes in Taiwan to make English education more communicative and meaningful. However, few studies have investigated possible changes in the English ability of university freshmen. This study identified changes in the English ability of freshmen at a Taiwanese university from 1998-2010. Each year, approximately 3,000 students were administered the same language exams. ANOVA was used for a year-by-year comparison of mean scores for grammar, reading, and listening. The results indicate that listening scores increased significantly across the 12 years, while students' grammar and reading scores initially showed a tendency to decline. These declines in grammar and reading scores tapered off during the last five years. The year-to-year improvements in listening scores indicate that efforts to improve listening ability in Taiwan may be paying dividends.

1. Chang, Y. P.(2004).The way of English as a foreign language teaching in Taiwan.Journal of National Taichung Teachers College,18(1),79-90.
   連結：
2. Shih, C. M.(2008).Critical language testing: a case study of the general English proficiency test.English Teaching & Learning,32(3),1-34.
   連結：
3. Ministry of Education, 2009. Taiwan Colleges Statistics. Retrieved 2009, from: http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/B0013/overview03.xls.
4. Language Testing and Training Center, 2011. Organization and schools use GEPT scores as a requirement. Retrieved May 17, 2011, from http://www.lttc.ntu.edu.tw/GEPT1/GEPT_adopt.htm
5. Ministry of Education, 2009. Statistics on Taiwan Universities Admissions. Retrieved 2009, from: http://www.cher.ntnu.edu.tw/sindex/upload/taiwan/higher_edu/outcome/com_unienrol rate.xls.
6. College Entrance Examination Center, 2008. Ability exam statistics. Retrieved June 9, 2008, from http://www.ceec.edu.tw/AbilityExam/AbilityExamStat.htm.
7. College Entrance Examination Center, 2008. Appointed exam statistics. Retrieved June 9, 2008, from http://www.ceec.edu.tw/AppointExam/AppointExam Stat.htm.
8. (1996).Language test.Oxford:Oxford University Press.
9. Ministry of Education, 2010. Statistics on Taiwan Universities Admissions. Retrieved 2010, from: http://www.edu.tw/files/site_content/B0013/overview09.xls.
10. Alderson, J. C.,Clapham, C.,Wall, D.(2004).Language test construction and evaluation.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
11. Bachman, L. F.(2005).Statistic analysis for language assessment.Cambridge:Cambridge University.
12. Brown, H. D.(2004).Language assessment: principles and classroom practices.White Plains, New York:Pearson Education.
13. Butler, Y.(2004).What level of English proficiency do elementary school teachers need to attain to teach EFL? Case studies from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.TESOL Quarterly,38(2),245-278.
14. Chang, Y. F.(2008).Parents' attitudes toward the English education policy in Taiwan.Asia Pacific Education Review,9(4),423-435.
15. Chang, Y. F.(2002).A survey of primary school English education in Miaoli County.English Teaching & Learning,26(4),17-37.
16. Chen, J. F.,Warden, C. A.,Chang, H. T.(2005).Motivators that do not motivate: The case of Chinese EFL learners and the influence of culture on motivation.TESOL Quarterly,39(4),609-632.
17. Chen, S. C.(2002).The spread of English in Taiwan: Changing uses and shifting attitudes.Taipei:Crane Publishing Co., Ltd..
18. Dai, W. Y.(1998).A survey of primary school English education.Selected papers from The 15th Conference on English Teaching and Learning,Taipei:
19. Henning, G.(1987).A guide to language testing.Los Angeles:Newbury House.
20. Huang, J.(2003).Taichung, Taiwan,National Taichung Teachers College.
21. Hughes, A.(2003).Testing for language teachers.Cambridge:Cambridge University Press.
22. Katsuyama, K.,Nishigaki, C.,Wang, J.(2008).The effectiveness of English teaching in Japanese elementary schools: Measured by proficiency text administered to seventh-year students.RELC,39(3),359-380.
23. Kuo, Y.S.(2001).Lawrence, Kansas,University of Kansas.
24. Lai, C. C.(2008).Examination of the implementation of English as foreign language curriculum in Taiwan's elementary schools.Journal of Toko University,3,58-78.
25. Liu, Y.(2002).Public craze for English: Happiness and worries.The Educator Monthly,425,20-23.
26. Ma, L.(2003).Taipei, Taiwan,Fu Ren Catholic University.
27. Nunan, D.(2003).The impact of English as a Global language on educational policies and practices in the Asia-Pacific region.TESOL Quarterly,37,589-613.
28. Oladejo, J.(2006).Parents' attitudes towards bilingual education policy in Taiwan.Bilingual Research Journal,30(1),147-170.
29. Shih, Y. H.(2001).Evaluation of the MOE primary school English teacher training program.English Teaching & Learning,26(1),86-108.
30. Sims, J.(2006).The creation of a valid and reliable university proficiency exam.Tunghai Journal of Humanities,47,323-342.
31. Sims, J.(2004).Analysis of incoming freshmen: Listening improving, grammar and reading declining.The Proceedings of the thirteenth international symposium on English teaching,Taipei:
32. Su, Y. C.(2007).Students' changing views and the integrated-skills approach in Taiwan's EFL college class.Asia Pacific Education Review,8(1),27-40.
33. Su, Y. C.(2006).EFL teachers' perceptions of English language policy at the elementary level in Taiwan.Educational Studies,32(3),265-283.
34. Whittinghill, J.(2008).Los Angeles,California State University.
35. Widdowson, H. G.(Series Ed.)(2000).Language testing.Oxford:Oxford University Press.
36. Wu, J.(2008).Views of Taiwanese students and teachers on English language testing.Cambridge ESOL Research Notes,34,6-8.
37. Wu, R.,Chin, J.(2006).An impact study of the intermediate-level GEPT.Proceeding of the Ninth International Conference on English Language Testing in Asia,Taipei:
38. Yu, H. Y.(2006).The development of English testing and teaching in Taiwan: A survey of college entrance English exam and high school English teaching.English Teaching and Learning,2,133-151.
39. Zeng, J.(2002).Elementary school English teachers' interpretation and perspective on communicative language teaching.Human and Sociology Science Communication,11(5),61-76.

1. Sims, James M.(2015).A Valid and Reliable English Proficiency Exam: A Model from a University Language Program in Taiwan.English as a Global Language Education Journal,1(2),91-125.
2. 張淑英(2017).Non-English Majors' Perceptions Regarding Freshman English for Non-English Majors (FENM).高雄海洋科大學報,31,64-87.