EMI TA Professional Development Program
The Resource Center for EMI (RCEMI) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) has launched the “EMI TA Professional Development Program” to empower the professional knowledge and skills of EMI teaching assistants (EMI TAs) from across the country. Our goal is to enhance the professional development of EMI TAs and foster a supportive all-English language learning environment in all Taiwanese higher education institutions.
This program deepens the professional knowledge of EMI TAs and enables them to become bilingual talents in their field through NTNU’s “EMI TA Online Training Course” and “Assessment of EMI TA Skills (AETAS)”. Through resource sharing and collaborative exchanges, participants will be able to strengthen their teaching capacity and improve their students’ learning outcomes in EMI courses across universities and colleges.
【Latest News】112-1 The Assessment of EMI TA Skills Nurturing Bilingual Talents in Various Fields
To enhance the professional knowledge and skills of Teaching Assistants (TAs) in English-Medium Instruction (EMI) courses, the Resource Center for EMI (RCEMI) at National Taiwan Normal University organized the Assessment of EMI TA Skills on December 1st. This assessment is the only nationwide certification specifically designed for TAs in EMI courses, aiming to cultivate bilingual talents across various fields. The goal is to establish a friendly all-English classroom environment for EMI TAs nationwide, effectively enhancing the quality of higher education teaching and learning outcomes in Taiwan.
Professor Yeu-Ting Liu, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs emphasized that being a teaching assistant is a challenging role. Apart from the need to inspire students and facilitate teacher-student communication, TAs play a crucial role in creating a positive classroom atmosphere, especially when dealing with students of varying academic levels. He underscored that the skills acquired by teaching assistants through this training process can be applied not only in the classroom but also make them better communicators in their daily lives.
During the speech, Vice Executive Director of the RCEMI, Ya-Chu Fan, introduced the “EMI TA Professional Development Program” at National Taiwan Normal University. Launched in 2023, the program comprises three stages. In the first stage, teaching assistants are required to complete four hours of asynchronous online training courses. The second stage involves participating in on-site workshops and lectures, where RCEMI invites teachers and outstanding EMI TAs to share their experiences and insights on EMI courses. Finally, the third stage includes taking today’s “Assessment of EMI TAs Skills,” which consists of a 5-minute EMI teaching demonstration and a 3-minute EMI Course Simulation Test.
The 112-1 Assessment of EMI TA Skills has invited experienced committee members, including Dr. Christine Chang, Dr. Alessandra Ferrer, Dr.Pi-Hsia Hsu, and Dr. Yu-Chiao Chung, all of whom possess extensive expertise in English-Medium Instruction (EMI). The committee expressed that the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired throughout the various stages of the program effectively assist students in showcasing outstanding teaching assistant capabilities during the assessment. A total of 21 students from 13 different universities and various disciplines participated in the assessment. The demonstration topics covered a wide range of fields, including life sciences, history, civics, sustainable education, visual arts, and more, reflecting the diversity of teaching areas actively progressing towards EMI. Teaching assistants play a crucial supportive role in this development across diverse subject areas.
Yi-Yu Lo, a Master’s student of English Teaching at University of Taipei, has a keen interest in bilingual policies and EMI courses, prompting her participation in the program. She believes that the entire program is well-structured. The initial courses establish foundational knowledge, followed by practical lesson planning to apply what is learned. Teachers from RCEMI provide feedback on the lesson plans submitted by students, aiding them in better preparation for the assessment.
A total of 123 students enrolled in the program, with 78% hailing from external universities. This indicates a pressing demand for EMI TA training across various academic institutions, especially considering the growing trend of incorporating EMI courses. National Taiwan Normal University was selected in 2021 as one of the four key universities in the nation for bilingual education. Apart from actively promoting EMI policies, the university has established the “Resource Center for EMI.” The aim is to share successful EMI experiences from National Taiwan Normal University, collaborate with partner schools to exchange resources, and foster future opportunities for cooperation!
Targeted Students:
- Students enrolled in university and graduate schools.
- EMI TAs of 112-1 Semester will have priority.
Registration Deadline:
12:00 PM, September 13th, 2023
Note:
- Only online individual registration will be accepted. Late registrations will not be accepted.
- Please choose one to register:
- 【Plan 1】 “EMI TA Online Training Course” Only.
- 【Plan 2】 “EMI TA Online Training Course” and “Assessment of EMI TA Skills (AETAS)”.
- 【Plan 3】”Assessment of EMI TA Skills (AETAS)” Only (This plan is only open to students who have completed the EMI TA online training course in the 111-2 semester.)
Registration Links:
Should you have any questions, please contact the project coordinator:
- TEL: (02) 7749-5905
