The 2009 enrolled undergraduate and graduate freshmen must meet the requirement of the TKU English Proficiency Graduation Threshold, namely they must pass GEPT Intermediate Level Preliminary or above or its equivalent before they can graduate. TKU will offer online English courses to help graduate students who have failed the English requirement test to graduate.

TKU will offer Further English Training Course online once each semester. It will have 2 hours a week, but it will be not considered as any graduation credits. Students can choose the course in either the first semester or the second. It will mainly have online teaching, but the instructor will teach in real classroom before both the mid-term and final exams, reviewing exam contents and direction. TKU will review the course after the mid-term exam. The Office of Academic Affairs will allow students who have failed the English requirement test to select the course.

Academic Vice President Kan-nan Chen pointed out, “English is an international language. Students should not lack self-confidence to take part in the GEPT. The passing of its Intermediate Level Preliminary or equivalent is already a graduation requirement. The Further English Training Course is only a substitute, but with a certificate of GEPT, students will have one more important credential for future employment. Freshmen will face the graduation requirement in 2012, so students should prepare for it as early as possible.”

English Assistant Professor Ai-ling Wang who is in change of the courses has pointed out that the online Further English Training Course will be supported with the Teaching Platform and teaching materials by the Distance Education Development Section. The contents of the materials include 12 subjects such as education, culture, etc. Dialogues and reading are done by English native speakers, and the course will combine analyses with current affairs, and it also covers Chinese definitions of English new words, phrases and grammar.

Electrical Engineering master freshman Jia-wei Zhang expressed, “The English Proficiency Graduation Threshold urges students to study English, and I have already planned to study English and will take GEPT in August.” Chinese master freshman Yu-ting Lai said, “Although the requirement drives those who don’t like English to study it, I am worried about being unable to pass.” Accounting freshman Xiao-jing Wu mentioned, “The idea of the English Proficiency Graduation Threshold is fine, encouraging students to pass GEPT or equivalent. I have planned to take TOEIC, hoping to make good progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing.” ( ~Dean X. Wang )