The department’s curriculum is divided into two tracks: teaching and non-teaching tracks. Students are free to choose either one to match their interest or career choice. The teaching-track curriculum is designed in accord to the requirements set by the Ministry of Education. The non-teaching track students are free to select the educational courses, but they should take more electives to develop their own specialty for their future goals. Students will be granted a bachelor degree after completing 128 points of course work and meeting the requirements of the department and the school as well.

The department’s courses are broadly divided into two categories: the core and the elective. Students of both teaching and non-teaching tracks must take all the core courses, except for Research Methods in English Language and Literature. Due to the nature of each course, the core courses are further categorized into three disciplines: linguistics, pedagogy and literature. All the core courses are designed to enhance students’ English proficiency and professional skills in English language teaching, and to prepare them for further graduate study.

To consolidate students’ aural and oral skills in English, the department requires all students to take a series of English Aural-oral Training courses for four years, two hours a week, each semester. To further strengthen skills in using English to deliver speeches, make presentations, or conduct negotiation or debate, students may select such advanced courses as English Interpretation, Public Speaking and Discussion in English in their third or forth year. Most of the courses are designed and taught by foreign teachers and in a small class size.

To ensure the students equipped with adequate English skills to work in the teaching or other fields upon graduation, the department requires all students to take a non-credit course, English Proficiency Certification. To pass the course, students must present an official record showing they have attained a minimum score of one of the standardized language tests approved by the Department (such as, the high-intermediate level of GEPT, 87 points on the iBT test, etc.).

Combining theory and practice is another key feature of the department’s curriculum. Students in the teaching track, for example, are required to take the year-long course, Practicum for English Teaching, which requires them, either singly or in pairs, to teach English at a local elementary school. Under the supervision and evaluation of a professor from the department, the students are to design lesson plans, create teaching aids, and engage in actual teaching over the two semesters.

Not only to developing students’ knowledge in linguistics, literature and English language teaching, the department also attends to promoting their skills in integrating art performance and computers into English language teaching. So, two courses have been added to the elective curriculum, Practical Skills of Theater Making and English Teaching, and Computer-assisted English Instruction.

Furthermore, to assist students to develop interest and expertise in fields other than English language teaching, the department offers several skills-training courses under the Applied Courses in the Elective Curriculum.

In response to the needs of the students from other departments who also wish to pursue teaching English as a career, the department has designed an English-as- a-minor program, offering a total of 28-credit training courses. Students who do not plan to get an English-as-a-miner certificate can also take courses regarding English language teaching via the department to broaden their career options.

Finally, to maintain a high teaching quality and to update the content of teaching materials and practices, the department has formed a curriculum committee as a forum for teachers to reflect on and exchange opinions about issues and possibilities to make the curriculum more relevant and meaningful to the students.