English-language services need lots of work: survey

There is a lot of room for improvement in creating an English-language service environment more friendly to expatriates and visitors alike, according to the results of a survey released yester-day by the Research, Deve-lopment and Evaluations Com-mission.

The survey shows that expat-riates are most satisfied with the English service at the nation's entry and departure points, and least satisfied with English services in the shopping environment.

Respondents that Taiwan should step up the English-communication skills of taxi drivers and provide more English-language signs in its night markets -- places that visitors are most likely to have contact with -- to create a friendly atmosphere with an international flavor.

Commission noted that the Executive Yuan launched a "create an English living environment action plan" in October last year, hoping to deve-lop a living environment in tune with the other international metropolises.

The commission surveyed foreign visitors and expatriates to learn about the effects of the plan one year after its implementation.

The survey also shows that the government should decide on a viable Pinyin system of romanization, strengthen the English-speaking ability of the general public and civil servants, improve the English-language labeling of pharmaceuticals and improve English-language guides to local facilities.