The 2025 BESTEP English Proficiency Test awarding ceremony took place on March 22 at the Theatre of the National Taiwan University Foreign Language Teaching and Resource Center. The Vice President of Academic Affairs and Executive Director of the NCCU Bilingual Program, Professor Lin Chi-Ping, and the Vice President of International Affairs and Executive Director of the NCCU Bilingual Program, Professor Chen Yi-Ning, were present at the ceremony to encourage and inspire exceptional students. Eighteen NCCU students were recognized for excellence, with 1 First Prize (C1 level), 12 Second Prizes (B2+ level), and 5 Award of Best Improvement.
BESTEP, operating under the auspices of the Language Training and Testing Center (LTTC), focuses on enhancing university students' English communication skills to support their academic and professional development. The test assesses students' English proficiency before they enter English-taught courses (EMI), helping them adapt to studying in English and improving their career prospects.
LTTC officials opened the ceremony by encouraging students to continue refining their English skills even after achieving outstanding results, emphasizing the value of English proficiency, and welcoming faculty members and top students from various institutions to celebrate this accomplishment. This year, a new award was introduced to recognize students showing significant improvement, promoting perseverance. Dr. Jessica Wu, LTTC Deputy Executive Director, noted the challenges in transitioning from B1 to B2 proficiency and mentioned that the organizer analyzed over 400 students' progress to identify effective learning strategies. LTTC aims to share these insights, fostering a collaborative learning environment for students.
The awards ceremony showcased the remarkable achievements of students in English proficiency and offered a platform for them to share. To gain insight into how NCCU students developed their language skills, we interviewed several of them about their experiences and the journey leading to this achievement.
Hou Sin-Tian, a student from the Diplomacy department, won the First Prize for her persistence in achieving the C1 level on the BESTEP. Despite initially struggling with writing and speaking, she reached her goal thanks to BESTEP's cumulative score policy. Hou attributed her achievement to her supportive parents and teachers and emphasized balancing academics with extracurricular activities and setting clear goals. She advised future test-takers to prepare purposefully and noted that consistency and practical application worked better than cramming. Ultimately, she also highlights the importance of cross-cultural communication, noting that effective interaction goes beyond language skills to include respect for cultural differences, stating that politeness and openness are vital in diplomacy. Looking ahead, Hou plans to take the IELTS exam and pursue a career in diplomacy, translation, or international business, inspired by her experiences and the opportunities language proficiency can provide.
For Lin Li, a student in the European Languages department, winning the BESTEP Second Prize is a rewarding culmination of years of dedicated English learning. Grateful for his parents' support, Lin Li developed his interest from elementary school through high school, utilizing English entertainment and public speaking courses to enhance his skills, which helped him absorb vocabulary and natural expressions. Although he enjoys speaking in English, he still needs to overcome his stage fright. Based on his personal experience preparing for the exam, Lin Li advises future test-takers to practice with a timer and review model answers. He views English as crucial for academic and professional growth, opening doors to international volunteering and tutoring opportunities. Finally, Lin Li emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural communication, primarily as Taiwan seeks to boost its global visibility. "Strong English communication skills are necessary for personal development and enhancing Taiwan's global presence."
"Language learning is a continuous journey," said Li Kuei-Hsuan, a graduate student honored with the Award of Best Improvement. This award has boosted her confidence in using English for academic and career opportunities. She feels more capable of engaging with international peers and has developed interests in brand communication and public speaking, where clear expression is key. To prepare for her exam, she worked on her speaking and writing weaknesses by practicing spontaneous responses and studying model essays. For future test-takers, she suggests reading quality essays, watching effective speaking videos, and collaborating with peers in mock exams. Her journey began with entertainment like shows and podcasts, later shifting to grammar and writing skills, particularly in business communication. Aspiring for a career in international research, she views English as essential for her growth.