【Article by EMI Resource Center】

On November 13, 2024 (Wednesday), the EMI Resource Center at National Chengchi University is pleased to welcome two distinguished guests from the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT): Ms. Jenning King, English Language Coordinator, Public Diplomacy Section, and Mr. Jeff McIlvenna, Regional English Language Officer. Mr. McIlvenna, who supports English language programs across the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Brunei, brings extensive experience from managing English Language Programs in regions such as the Middle East, South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. His expertise in blended learning, multimodal writing, and the integration of data analysis into educational projects adds significant value to enhancing English language education in diverse cultural contexts.

The visit by Ms. King and Mr. McIlvenna was to facilitate the service of the English Language Fellow (‘the Fellow’ thereafter) in the EMI Resource Center as the secondary host under the English Language Fellow Program supported by AIT in the Autumn semester in 2025. The Program, managed by the U.S. Department of State, places highly qualified American TESOL professionals in overseas institutions for 10-month fellowships. Fellows work with local teachers and students, improving English teaching, developing curriculum, and leading teacher training and outreach initiatives. AIT supports this program in Taiwan, along with the broader goals of the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, to enhance English language education and intercultural exchange in Taiwan.

The EMI Resource Center is privileged to have a Fellow in 2025. In this capacity, the Fellow will significantly contribute to the advancement of bilingual education and EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) initiatives, aligning with Taiwan’s educational policy to foster a bilingual learning environment. Making regular visits to the university, the Fellow is hoped to be on campus once or twice per month for 8 hours each time, providing extensive support through lectures, workshops, and individual consultations. These sessions are designed to enhance the pedagogical skills of the teaching staff, offering direct feedback on EMI practices and guiding interactive workshops. Through evaluating teaching performances and conducting training focused on effective student-centered instruction, the Fellow will share best practices drawn from their experience in the U.S. education system, supporting faculties in developing robust bilingual curricula.

In addition to teaching support, the Fellow will offer writing consultation services, helping students strengthen their English skills for academic and professional success. The Fellow will also lead lectures and workshops on diverse topics such as EMI teaching techniques, AI-assisted learning, and English writing and speaking skills, benefiting both faculty and students. Moreover, the Fellow’s individualized consulting services will address unique challenges faced by different departments, thereby raising the overall instructional quality and internationalization of NCCU’s campus.

To broaden the impact of the Fellow’s expertise, the EMI Resource Center will also produce a video interview highlighting their insights on EMI teaching methodologies, course design, and the current trends in the U.S. educational system. This interview will be shared on social media to foster resource sharing across the university community. Upon concluding their term, the Fellow will provide NCCU with a detailed evaluation of the EMI program, offering recommendations on faculty training, resource allocation, and student learning outcomes. This feedback will not only optimize NCCU’s EMI Resource Center operations but may also strengthen NCCU’s positioning as a primary host for future Fellow engagements.

The AIT and the EMI Resource Center have already been in collaboration on the coordination of EMI in NCCU over the past few months. In August and September 2024, an 8-week online program “Fundamentals of EMI Pedagogy and Teaching Techniques program at NCCU’s EMI Resource Center” was jointly organized, led by Dr. Carolyn Chiung-Yao Ho, Professor and Founding Faculty member of the ESOL program at Lone Star College-CyFair in Cypress, Texas, and was highly popular among participants who praised it for its impact on English teaching methodologies. This program provided practical training and resources in areas like curriculum development, teacher training, and student engagement, greatly benefiting professors who sought to enhance their English language instruction in Taiwanese universities. Throughout these eight weeks, participants gained practical skills in EMI, including setting clear learning outcomes, creating assessments, using interactive teaching methods, and enhancing instructional skills. They practiced adapting materials, employing questioning techniques, and culminating in microteaching sessions where they applied and refined their EMI teaching strategies with peer and expert feedback.

The visit of Ms. King and Mr. McIlvenna is expected to match the expectation and needs for effective implementation of EMI at NCCU, with the arrival of the Fellow between late August and early September next year. This visit marks an important step in strengthening the collaboration between NCCU and AIT, further enhancing the university’s efforts to foster a bilingual academic environment. The Fellow’s upcoming role will not only contribute to refining EMI teaching methodologies and faculty development but will also deepen intercultural exchange and improve English language proficiency across the campus. Through the Fellow’s expertise in curriculum development, teaching practices, and educational technology, NCCU aims to achieve long-term goals of academic excellence and internationalization, reinforcing its position as a leading institution in Taiwan’s higher education system.

(For “Fundamentals of EMI Pedagogy and Teaching Techniques” program at NCCU’s EMI Resource Center jointly conducted with AIT, see here for the closing video and here for the program details.)

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