A recent survey that conducted an analysis of TKU’s freshmen needs in terms of learning strategies and resources reveals that students either need or are in dire need of support from the Center for Leaning and Teaching, who carried out the survey and also designed the 28 questions that were distributed to 5,197 students. These questions aimed to explore four main areas: diagnosis of students’ learning style and aids available to them, learning strategies and methods, language skills and approaches, and research skills. Even though most students feel they need guidance in all areas, learning strategies and methods is the area that concerns them most. Above all, “second foreign language learning and approaches” as well as “methods and skills for test preparation” are the two items that stand out from the 28 questions students perceived as the most necessary.

These results demonstrate that TKU’s freshmen are keen on acquiring skills or approaches that can help them learn the most effectively. Such results are crucial for the center, according to its director, Dr. Shyu Hsin-yih. Following this survey, a test on individual learning style will be conducted, which, as she sees it, can help the center devise suitable learning methods for different learners. Workshops and presentations will also be organized according to the analysis of the results. The response rate of this survey was 73.2%, with 70.9% being valid. ( ~Ying-hsueh Hu )