About Us
“Language lights up your life” is central to our thoughts on language learning. At Shih Hsin, we explore language and its impact in transforming our minds and shaping our lives.
The Language Center was founded in 1991 to develop and promote an environment favorable for learning English. Over the years it has expanded to include other languages such as German, Korean, and Malay for approximately 2,600 students per semester with an attempt to equip them with the language skills and cultural knowledge necessary to succeed in a global workplace.
Instructors at the Language Center use diverse teaching methods to ensure students stay interested and focused on the learning objectives. Advocating a communicative approach to language teaching, instructors use a variety of techniques such as pair work, group work, and mingling activities. To facilitate this, teachers make use of the multimedia equipment present in all of the Language Center’s classrooms. All of these factors combine to create a relaxed and fruitful learning environment.
The Language Center is in charge of Practical English Usage, a required course for all first-year students, who are divided into four streams based on the results of a placement test administered at the beginning of the first semester. A unified exam is administered at the end of each semester to gauge the progress of student learning. As a continuation of freshmen English education, the Center offers intermediate and advanced courses designed to improve students’ integrated approach to English. Since 2010, the Language Center has been tasked with measuring students’ English proficiency in meeting the university-wide core competency requirements. As an additional service, assistants provide tutorials three times a week for any students who wish to prepare for this proficiency test.
To further foster the students’ interest and enthusiasm in English learning, the Language Center sponsors several contests per year. The speech contest encourages students to focus on oral skills and the spelling bee challenges students to sharpen their English vocabulary. In addition, a skit contest is held to spur students’ creativity in English drama and improvisation. Finally, a mock interview provides students with an opportunity to improve their interview, CV writing, and related skills. Through all of these efforts, the Language Center has been at the forefront of Shih Hsin University’s drive towards internationalization.
The Language Corner
The Language Corner, which is closely affiliated with the Language Center, was opened in 2002 as part of the university’s campaign to create an international environment on campus. Located at the heart of the university in the Speech Square, the Corner provides an English immersion environment for students, staff, and faculty. The Corner serves as a language learning resource center, complete with an audio visual room, where students can watch films. Also, students have access to various multi-media devices such as computers and tablets. In addition, there is an area where students can browse magazines and newspapers in various languages. Since 2003, international students from our sister schools have served as tutors at the Corner, giving Shih Hsin students a chance to exchange views with their foreign peers. As a popular attraction for English enthusiasts, the Corner exudes a cyber cafe atmosphere. To further cultural awareness, a variety of workshops and seasonal events are held throughout the year. The Corner will continue to provide a friendly and engaging space for all students.