Department of Applied Foreign Languages

History

In December of 2018, the Executive Yuan approved a blueprint drafted by the National Development Council to develop Taiwan into a bilingual nation by 2030. This department was established on August 1st, 2019 under the supervision of the Ministry of National Defense, the Army Headquarters, and the Ministry of Education. In response to the challenges posed by the increasing reliance on the Internet and the emergence of the online world, and the need for multinational military operations, our program  has been designed to cultivate NCOs who, first and foremost, see themselves as the backbone of the R.O.C. Army, and also as members of this international community, i.e., as global citizens. They are expected to learn to use foreign languages, specifically English as the first foreign language and Spanish or Japanese as the second foreign language, for a practical purpose in the military field in which they specialize.  

Educational Goals

1. To meet the needs of the development of the R.O.C. Army, the cadets are expected to learn and master five language skills, i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation in their specialized military field.;
2. The cadets are expected to develop an international perspective through the program to equip them to take part in international military co-operations using English or their secondary foreign languages.

Educational Concept

The department aims at fostering well-rounded NCOs in respect to the military, foreign language abilities and leadership. We put an emphasis on making use of what cadets learn in the classroom in real-life situations, specifically through creating their own military-themed graduation play, including script, props, costumes and set. To help the cadets to monitor their own improvement, they are encouraged to take the annual TOEIC test on campus at the end of their first year of study at the Army Academy.

Core competencies

1. Being able to apply English listening, speaking, reading, writing and translation skills in their specific military field.;
2. Being able to take part in cross-cultural activities and develop cultural competence and an international perspective.
3. Being able to communicate effectively, express themselves in a clear manner and nurture healthy team culture.

Features of courses

This program is designed to help cadets not only learn how to learn foreign languages, but put those languages into good use through taking military English tests, i.e.,  ALCPT/ECL, and TOEIC tests; through participating in cross-university, cross-cultural activities, and international events.  The first year of our courses features the basics: compulsory courses including Everyday English Conversation, ECL Listening Test, and Reading and Vocabulary; optional courses which include English Pronunciation, Language Testing, Taiwanese culture in English, etc. The courses in the second year are more advanced and integrated: compulsory courses which include Advanced English Conversation, Reading and Writing, and Translation; optional courses including Current Events, International Etiquette, English Guided Tours, etc. Use it or Lose it is our motto. The common theme of the program is to facilitate the cadets to be learning by doing.