FY2011 results of the current situation involving implementation of the Five Proposals and Specific Measures for Developing Proficiency in English for International Communication

1.  On student’s English ability and learning attainment target (in relation to Proposal 1)

9.5% of third-year junior high school students of public schools had English abilities of the Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP) Grade 3 or higher. 16.0% of the students had English ability equivalent to STEP Grade 3 or higher without having taken an external certification test, making the total number of students proficient at this level at around 25.5%.

2.  On stimulating student’s motivation for English learning (in relation to Proposal 2)

In order to provide students with opportunities of using English out of school, , 40.3% of the schools conduct speech contests and debate matches. Schools conducting events such as English camps, however, remain limited at 4.0%.

3.  On providing students with more opportunities to use English (in relation to Proposal 3)

1.  The total number of ALTs employed to utilize in English classes in junior high schools is 7,890 people; out of which the number of ALTs participating in the JET program ranked the highest at 28.5%, followed by those working under service contracts at 26.0%. The number of ALTs who are directly employed full time is 18.9%, and those under worker dispatch contracts is 18.6%.
2.  98.4% of the schools utilize ALTs for their English-related subjects, and 6.4% of the schools use ALTs for other subjects. Furthermore, 53.4% of the schools utilize ALTs for education activities aside of regular subject classes.
3.  The number of foreign teachers at junior high schools employed by education boards stood at 2 people.
4.  28.6% of the schools provide English learning opportunities in and out of the classroom using ICT materials such as the internet and digital blackboards.

4.  On improving English skills and instruction abilities of English teachers, and the strategic improvement of English education at the level of schools and communities (in relation to Proposal 4)

The English proficiency of 27.7% of the teachers was above STEP Grade Pre-1, TOEFL (PBT) score of over 550, iBT score of over 80, and a TOEIC score of over 730.
Out of the teachers who have taken external certification tests, 36.8% have passed either one of the above examinations.

Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau
International Education Division
Foreign Language Education Promotion Office
Tel: 03-5253-4111 (Extension 3480)

(Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau)