【"Gradual Progress x Sustainability" The BEST Program Strengthens Students' Future International Competitiveness】

The Ministry of Education, in order to promote bilingual education at the higher education level, strengthen students' English proficiency, and enhance the international competitiveness of universities, initiated the "The Program on Bilingual Education for Students in College, BEST" in September 2021. This program has been in operation for two years and aims to assist colleges and universities in creating a bilingual teaching environment to improve the English abilities and international competitiveness of Taiwanese college and university students.

The Ministry of Education has shown a strong commitment to addressing the needs of schools by organizing various activities. These activities include inviting experts from the British Council to demonstrate bilingual teaching, conducting observation and exchange programs in the northern, central, and southern regions, and organizing seminars for schools categorized as "Focused Development" and "Generalized Enhancement." These efforts are meant to share experiences and provide recommendations to help schools enhance the quality of bilingual education.

In order to help schools better understand the policy content and program priorities, the Ministry of Education held an information session for the second phase of the program in March 2023. They also organized the "2023 Taiwan Bilingual Higher Education Forum: Bringing Forward," with a focus on the direction and support measures for the second phase of the program. The forum included sharing the experiences and results of the first phase of the program.

The Ministry of Education emphasizes three prerequisites and one consensus for promoting the bilingual program: students must have sufficient English proficiency, teachers must be well-prepared, and schools must provide support. Bilingual education is not mandatory but is meant to be gradually implemented. Schools should establish cross-departmental connections and support systems to comprehensively enhance the quality of bilingual education and the overall learning environment.

In September 2023, the results of the second phase of the bilingual program were announced, including 7 "Focused Development Schools," 45 colleges, and 29 "Generalized Enhancement Schools." The second phase highlights the importance of strengthening students' English proficiency through curriculum reforms, with a specific focus on academic and professional English. Additionally, support systems, including teacher communities and the integration of English teaching resources, are emphasized.

The Ministry of Education has commissioned the Taiwan Assessment and Evaluation Association (TWAEA) to serve as the project office, overseeing the evaluation, guidance, and examination activities of the bilingual program. This helps the Ministry gain a deep understanding of the program's implementation status, effectiveness, special practices, and achievement of performance indicators, all in line with the program's strategic objectives. The goal is to continue assisting the Ministry of Education in promoting the bilingual program in a steady and sustainable manner, avoiding any disruptions to student learning and teaching. This will create a high-quality bilingual learning environment and foster a more international-friendly campus.

【Excerpt from the issue No. 03, 2023 of TWAEA’s ePaper】