English-for-Science-and-Technology Teaching Materials: Phase One Evaluation
English-for-Science-and-Technology Teaching Materials: Phase One Evaluation
English-for-Science-and-Technology Teaching Materials: Phase One Evaluation
6; June 2012
Received: February 11, 2012 Accepted: March 8, 2012 Published: June 1, 2012
doi:10.5539/elt.v5n6p89 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/elt.v5n6p89
Abstract
The importance of English for the workplace, in addition to that of general English proficiency, is receiving
increasing attention from educators and policy makers in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. In
order to prepare college students for their professional development, appropriate English-for-specific-purposes (ESP)
materials, including those for engineering majors, are needed for college courses. This study evaluated teaching
materials on English for Science and Technology (EST), in hope of making contributions to the growth of EST
materials that meet the educational needs of students in Taiwan. The EST materials were designed for college
engineering majors. In the present study, it was used with two engineering junior classes in Taiwan for three weeks.
After the trial teaching period, a questionnaire and a focus group interview were administered to collect learner
perception on the EST materials. While the overall results of the questionnaire have indicated a positive attitude
toward the materials, a careful examination of the statistics and further exploration of the interview data have
revealed certain areas of the materials to be improved. Suggestions to the revision of the materials are provided at
the end of the paper.
Keywords: English for engineers, English for science and technology, English for specific purposes, Material
evaluation, Second language teaching, Textbook evaluation
1. Introduction
In order to help its citizens meet the challenges of globalization, the Taiwanese government has enacted the
Challenge 2008 National Development Plan, with one emphasis of which to boost foreign language mastery, in
particular English competence (Council for Economic Planning and Development [CEPD], 2005; Government
Information Office [GIO], 2004). Since Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2002, the industries
in the country have been devoted to upgrading operations to be competitive in the global markets, and thus are in
great need of more professional workforce. Enhancing the citizens’ English abilities, therefore, has become one of
the top priorities set by the Ministry of Education (MOE) (Huang, 2003; Ministry of Education, 2011). Among many
endeavors to meet the demands of the globalizing society and industrial sectors and to bring technological and
vocational education to new heights, the MOE prescribed improving technological students’ foreign language
competence, especially that of English, as one of the major educational aims of technological and vocational
education. In addition, becoming well-equipped with work skills upon the entrance of the job market is a chief
objective of technological institution graduates; English for the workplace is hence a must in such students’ foreign
language learning (Yu, 2006). Yu argues for the need to develop not only English-for-specific-purposes (ESP)
materials in general terms but also learner-centered ESP materials that suits learners of different career focuses. Yu
lists examples such as English for car mechanics, English for nurses, and English for medical practitioners. A survey
study conducted by Liao, Chen, and Lee (2009) and an evaluation study by Liao and Chang (2011) have further
found out that technical college engineering students in Taiwan are presently experiencing a lack of appropriate
Before After
reading reading
1. Scientists are finding ways to make ( ) ( )
machines smaller and more effective.
2. Today, nanomaterials are used only in ( ) ( )
electronics.
3. We already live in an age of ( ) ( )
nanotechnology.
4. Many nanoproducts on the market are ( ) ( )
not really nano.
5. Nanomaterials are not good for ( ) ( )
people’s health.
3-4 Reading
Read the article carefully to check the answers.
Nanotechnology – What Will It Bring Us?
Most of us have heard about nanotechnology or nanoproducts, and many tend to regard things
with the name of “nano” as high-class. But what is nanotechnology? What can it do and what will it
bring us in the future?
Nanotechnology, a young but active field of science and technology, deals with objects at the
nanometer level. The prefix “nano” means “one-billionth,” so one nanometer is one-billionth of a
meter. When working in such a tiny scale range, scientists and manufacturers measure things and
activities by nanometers. They focus their study on the control and use of atoms or molecules in
order to make amazingly small but highly effective materials, tools, and machines.
Today, laboratories and industries in different fields are creating more and more things “nano,”
from electronic products to cosmetics, clothing, and even food, although many such products are not
truly “nano” in the strict sense of the word. Strictly “nano” or not, the trend is for products to become
smaller, yet offer more and better functions. Here in Taiwan, the government has developed the
NanoMark System, not only to encourage industries to make quality nanometerials and
nanoproducts, but also to help people understand and accept them.
“Going nano” will certainly become an international trend in the twenty-first century. Nanotech
scientists and engineers must continue to work hard to make nanotechnology dreams come true. It is
likely that in the future, factories will turn out large quantities of powerful, wallet-size
supercomputers at surprisingly low prices! The world is truly heading into an age of nanotechnology.
Vocabulary
1. nanotechnology (n.) 奈米科技 9. measure (v.) 測量、衡量
2. nanoproduct (n.) 奈米產品 10. molecule (n.) (分子)
3. active (adj.) 活躍的 11. electronic (adj.) 電子的
4. deal with (v.) 討論、處理 12. encourage (v.) 鼓勵
5. nanometer (n.) 奈米 13. nanomaterial (n.) 奈米材料
6. nano (adj.) 奈米的 14. nanotech (adj. & n.)
7. function (n.) 功能 奈米科技的、奈米科技
8. one-billionth 十億分之ㄧ 15. turn out (v.) 生產
16. quantity (n.) 數量
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