Roy Chen (Graduate student of the Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages)

In response to the trend of internationalization in higher education and to enhance the English communication skills of students in EMI (English as a Medium of Instruction) classrooms, the College of Computer Science and the Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages jointly organized the "CSxTESOL English Roundtable for Graduate Students" during the first semester of the 113th academic year. This initiative aimed to provide students with practical opportunities to practice spoken English and to boost their confidence and communication skills through innovative teaching methods.

The “CSxTESOL English Roundtable for Graduate Students” was designed collaboratively by Professor Lu-Chun Lin, the professor at the Institute of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and the director of the Higher Education Accreditation for Teaching (HEAT), along with TESOL graduate students enrolled in the TETE (Teaching English Through English) course. Four English Roundtable sessions were tailored specifically for graduate students of the College of Computer Science. Laboratories that were interested in this activity could submit their registration. The activity was structured around thematic courses to ensure the learning content aligned with their interests and daily lives. The sessions employed a Reciprocal Group Discussion method designed by Professor Lin. Participants assumed one of four clearly defined roles: Word Master, Questioner, Connector, or Summarizer. Tasks were aligned with these roles—for instance, the Word Master explained vocabulary and phrases from TED Talks videos, the Questioner guided group discussions, the Connector linked the video content to personal experiences, and the Summarizer synthesized the discussion content. This structured approach ensured equal opportunities for participants to practice spoken English and fostered in-depth discussions.

According to the results of the survey, the four sessions of the English Roundtable attracted a total of 32 participants, with an average satisfaction rating of 5.13 out of 6. Students generally found the course topics engaging and aligned with their English learning needs. They reported that the activity improved their fluency in English communication and increased their willingness to speak in English. Additionally, students appreciated the speakers' clear and comprehensible English, the precise instructions, and the encouragement to invite the participants to actively engage in discussions. Many participants remarked that the activity not only provided valuable speaking practice but also created a relaxed conversational environment that helped build confidence.

Participants also shared various reflections in their feedback. Some noted that while they frequently used English for academic discussions in their laboratories, they rarely had opportunities for casual English conversations, making this activity particularly valuable. Others commented on how the activity offered a chance to practice English while meeting new friends, describing it as a fun and enriching experience. Several participants highlighted that everyone had a chance to speak without fear of making mistakes, commending the patience of the teaching assistants and the passion of the instructors. Most participants agreed that the practical speaking experience was invaluable and expressed a desire for more people to join such activities.

Overall, the "CSxTESOL English Roundtable for Graduate Students" provided graduate students of the College of Computer Science with a precious opportunity to practice spoken English, earning high praise from the participants. The activity not only enhanced their English communication skills but also allowed them to make new friends and learn to express themselves in English with greater confidence in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Moving forward, the program will incorporate student feedback to continue refining the course content and activity format, aiming to provide an even better English learning environment and cultivate internationally competitive talent in the field of computer science.