Starting from this academic year, Freshman English will be taught in class of seventy students, down from over one hundred; significant improvement in teaching quality and students’ English proficiency is expected.

The Office of Academic Affairs says that students taking Freshman English, a three-credit required course, are placed in different sections according to their English exam results, whether they enter Tamkang through recommendation, application, or placement procedures. In the past due to shortage of teachers and classrooms, Freshman English was taught in large class of over one hundred students. Those sitting in the back of the classroom complained that they could not see the blackboard, while teachers frequently said that large class affected teaching quality. After deliberation, the school authorities finally decided to reduce class size.

Smaller class means an increase in the number of Freshman English classes for all colleges. The College of Engineering requires sections from A to Q to accommodate its large student body. To cope with the shortage of teachers and classrooms, the Department of English has newly recruited over twenty teachers. Department chair Yang Ming-tu expects teaching and learning to be more effective under the new scheme whereby students are placed in classes appropriate to their level of proficiency and taught accordingly. As to the classrooms, the Office of Academic Affairs says that class hours and rooms have been properly arranged for all teachers.