菁英教師培訓：英語教學講座 Time: Nov. 16 (Wed.) 13:30 ~15:30 Place: Fu Jen, SF901（聖言樓九樓遠距教室） Topic: 以英語授課之利與弊 (The Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Eng. as the Instructional Language) Speakers: 張郇慧（政大英文系主任）、李阿乙 (輔大社會科學院院長）、葉宏謨 （輔大資管系教授）、周賜福（Joseph Arul 輔大資工系副教授）、陳思勉 (輔大數學系副教授) 、 那湯姆 (Thomas Nash 輔大英文系副教授) A tentative schedule: 13:30-13:35 長官致詞 13:35-13:50張教授郇慧 13:50-14:05李教授阿乙 14:05-14:20葉教授宏謨 14:20-14:35周教授賜福 14:35-14:50陳教授思勉 14:50-15:05那教授湯姆 15:05-15:30 回應與討論、結語

菁英教師培訓：英語教學講座 陳思勉 (輔大數學系副教授) 菁英教師培訓：英語教學講座 陳思勉 (輔大數學系副教授)

Purpose of the workshop to exchange experience/opinions about using English as the instructional language in Taiwan

Using English as the Instructional Language Is it necessarily good? ----- YES and NO There is no obvious relations or associations between English and mathematical logic

Using English as the Instructional Language Computer has made a great many contributions in modern mathematical research. This is particularly true in computing. Computer softwares are much well written in English. However, it is not critical in developing mathematical ideas Language is unfortunately (or ironically) a major source of misunderstanding

可能有的教學目標 when Mr. Mathematics meets Miss English Increase students’ skills in listening, writing, reading and presenting in English. Research and development centers in NASA, BELL LAB, IBM, BOING, ING, TESCO, GE, BOA ( and many other companies) need endless mathematical computations and English communications. Equip students with necessary techniques far before getting positions in these enterprises. Students seek for positions in these organizations will find bi-language program very helpful.

在不同學科和不同課程中以英語授課是否必須 Many mathematics were invented and written in English. It is clearly suitable for teaching history of mathematics in English. Many weapons like warships and warplanes are brought from abroad, English and Mathematics are helpful in mastering user’s manuals and operating accurately. Both international financial markets and world trade affairs need Mathematics and English. State-of-the-art mathematics (and many other fields) are mostly published in English.

如何克服學生聽不懂的困難 Read more and practice more Study hard and think harder One class in Chinese and one class in English Show one language on screen to help

What are the advantages and disadvantages? Students’ perspective Teachers’ perspective Fu-Jen’s perspective

Advantages for Students Give students chances to learn more and increase the ability of presenting in English. Earlier preparations for studying abroad. Many mathematical works are invented by English native speakers, and it is good to hear and enjoy the details by those inventers. Students will get used to the environments of foreign companies, that will be a plus when seeking for jobs. If students work harder and give some try they may overcome the problems after 4 years’ training.

Disadvantage for Students For students already have troubles in mathematics, English may make things even worse. If teaching sources are not well presented in English, students may be seriously misled. If students have weak English background, take classes in English will be painstaking. English is a good tool in learning science, but it is not critical in mathematical creations.

Advantage for teachers Expand teaching experiences in English Communicate in international meetings Visit academic institutes around the world Write one or two books for Wiley or Springer

Disadvantage for teachers Increase the teaching load Increase the probability of getting home late Reduce the time to watch Columbo, Murder She Wrote or President Bush’s press conference.

Advantages for school Attract good foreign students to learn in Fu-Jen Recruit renowned professors to teach in Fu-Jen Make Fu-Jen much better internationally recognized

When to start taking English instructional language courses for students in math department Good Poor Freshman Sophomore Junior Graduate

Conclusion Chinese, English and Mathematics are all languages. Add them altogether and the effects will be multiplied.

Thank you for your listening! Enjoy a cup of Cappuccino! 圖片由輔大數學系咖啡室提供