Taiwanese People's Attitudes toward Requiring EFL Course at Elementary Schools: The Opinions of the Taiwanese Students at Indiana University, Bloomington

Abstract

[[abstract]]A study investigated the Taiwanese people's attitudes toward the issue of requiring English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction at the elementary school level in Taiwan. Taiwanese students (n=45) at Indiana University, Bloomington were randomly selected as subjects from a Chinese student association directory. They were 21-43 years old, from 21 departments, and educated in Taiwanese schools until at least high school. Subjects were administered an attitude survey, and 20 were also interviewed either briefly or extensively by telephone. Results indicate that the subjects show a slight tendency toward the requirement of ESL instruction in elementary school, although interviewees expressed more negative opinions. Most subjects believed the English is an international language, one which can be used most broadly by the Taiwanese. In addition, most respondents felt the first step in implementing ESL instruction at the elementary level is to upgrade teacher training and instructional material development. The survey instrument and response summary are appended. Contains 11 references