The government has tasked a nonprofit with crafting a new test that would meet students’ needs and better assess their language skills

• By Lin Hsiao-yun and Kayleigh Madjar / Staff reporter, with staff writer

A standardized English proficiency test would be developed for universities following quality complaints about privately developed exams, a government official said yesterday.

The Ministry of Education commissioned the nonprofit Language Training and Testing Center to prepare the test, which would be used by 45 bilingual benchmark institutions, Department of Higher Education Director-General Chu Chun-chang (朱俊彰) told reporters on the sidelines of a higher education conference in Nantou County.

The spoken and written portions of the test would be implemented from September next year, while listening and reading would be added from 2024, Chu said.

The Ministry of Education commissioned the nonprofit Language Training and Testing Center to prepare the test, which would be used by 45 bilingual benchmark institutions, Department of Higher Education Director-General Chu Chun-chang said on the sidelines of a higher education conference in Nantou County.

Photo: Lin Hsiao-yun, Taipei Times

Universities would use the test to assess a student’s ability to take courses entirely in English, he said, adding that institutions not participating in the program may also use it if they wish.

Institutions covered by the benchmark bilingual university program must teach at least 10 percent of graduate courses and 5 percent of undergraduate courses in English.

The ministry has set a target of at least one-quarter of sophomore undergraduates and first-year graduate students at benchmark schools attaining B2-level English proficiency by 2024, Chu said.

In the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, B2 is the fourth of six levels, indicating upper-intermediate proficiency.

Most universities use English proficiency tests developed by private companies for their graduation requirements, Chu said.

However, this has led to student complaints and even lawsuits over content deemed unsuitable for college students, he said.

The ministry therefore commissioned the center to develop a standardized version, he added.

The center is to work with universities to craft questions that reflect students’ needs, such as books they might encounter in class or internship situations, Chu said.

Taking the test would also cost far less than taking the private exams, at an estimated fee of NT$1,000, he added.

National Sun Yat-sen University vice president of academic affairs Lin Po-chiao (林伯樵) shared the progress of his university, which was chosen for the benchmark program.

Last academic year, there were three departments with 70 students that offered coursework entirely in English, Lin said.

This year, the number has risen to seven departments with 205 students, while 11 departments and 300 students are projected for next academic year, he added.

To assess students’ language ability, the university uses the Test of English for International Communication, he said.

National Chi Nan University has set up a committee with the aim of fostering a bilingual environment, said Chang Chong-chuo (張眾卓), dean of the university’s Office of International and Cross-Strait Affairs.

To encourage teachers to offer all-English courses, each class can receive an additional budget of up to NT$10,000 for preparation time and teaching materials, he said.

Students who advance to a higher level can receive NT$500 to NT$3,000, in addition to other prizes for pursuing an all-English degree, he added.

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