The result of questionnaire survey, “2009 Academic Year Survey of Freshmen Need of Learning Support,” was announced. The survey of student need is divided into four categories, “Assistance in Learning Diagnosis,” “Learning Strategies and Methods,” “Language Skills and Methods,” and “Academic Researches.” According to the statistics, among the top three impending needs, two items are from “Language Skills and Methods,” which indicates that students are desperate to find proper way to enhance their foreign language ability and oral skills.

The top five needs include “Skills and Methods in Learning Second Foreign Language,” “Scholarship,” “Skills and Methods in Oral Report and Expression,” “Skills and Methods in Speech Presentation,” and “Training in Writing Research Paper.” “Skills and Methods in Learning Second Foreign Language” has been listed on the first need for consecutively three years.

Dr. Tsai Jui-min, Assistant Professor of Dept. of English and a member of “Community of Teaching Excellence and Specialty Development,” indicates that this survey points out students’ earnest need for a better skill in learning foreign languages. Dr. Tsai expresses that in the Community teachers often brainstorm to find creative method in solving problem in teaching foreign languages. She believes through such a sharing of experience and creativity, teachers may evolve a more suitable method for students.

Dr. Huang Ru-chieh, Section Chief of Student Learning Support Section, indicates that the section has held workshops of learning strategies every semester. In October, there are “Reading The Original English Textbooks Easily,” “Workshop of English Oral Skills.” The workshop, “Report Master,” is to help students advance their writing skill in making a term paper or study report. “Skills of Oral Report” is to help students to learn how to present a paper. If the vacancy of any workshop is full, student group of 8 to 12 members can apply for an instructor from the section. Student Learning Support Section is willing to help students to solve any problem in learning.

The survey also finds that student’s background also influence one’s need. Overseas Chinese students are not so desperate as the local students in their needs for assistance in “Learning Strategies and Methods,” “Language Skills and Methods,” and “Academic Researches.” Wu Mei-chi, a senior of Dept. of Mass Communication, Leader of Overseas Chinese Student Association, responds that this may be attributed to wonderful assistance provided by Overseas Chinese Student Guidance Section, which invites school seniors to help their juniors. ( ~Chen Chi-szu~)