Print

Mail

wiki links

Improve English education: Ma

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday instructed the Bureau of Education to improve English education in elementary schools.

According to Ma, the bureau should investigate how English is taught in other countries, set up an examination system, address the gap in education between students from different social backgrounds and improve the connection between the curriculum in elementary school and junior high schools.

Ma made the remark during a special elementary school English-education briefing.

All elementary schools in Taipei City began providing at least two classes a week of English instruction from Grade 1 since the last school year. The Ministry of Education, however, has stated that the English program should begin in Grade 3, although an early start is not banned. Most elementary schools outside Taipei City are two years later in starting English education.

A report yesterday showed that 81 percent of Taipei parents were happy with an early English education starting from Grade 1, and 53 percent would like to increase the number of classes.

"I would like to compare Taipei City pupils' general English ability with those in other countries, such as China, Hong Kong and some European countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany," Ma said.

He asked the bureau to gather more information on English education in other countries.

Ma said that although the Bureau of Education's requirements exceed national standards, he still cares about how Taipei performs relative to other countries.

Ma was also concerned with a correct assessment of the students' English ability. He asked the bureau to arrange examinations to assess the students' level.

Bureau official Wu Lin-hui (吳林輝) said, "We are thinking about holding the exams for Grades 2, 4, and 6, but this is still under discussion. The results of the examinations aim to provide teachers with a good idea of where their students stand and who needs extra help in the subject."

To help those with social or financial disadvantages, Ma said that extra classes should be given to those students during the summer and winter breaks.

Ma said that by the time Taipei students reach junior high school, they might find the English syllabus too easy since they will have had two more years of English education than their counterparts outside the city. He asked the bureau to find a way for Taipei students to be able to continue improving their English rather than stalling.

Four professors and education experts presented at the briefing. They said extra classes were necessary to help disadvantaged students and called for continuity in the English curriculum through different grades.
This story has been viewed 2845 times.