一位美籍英語教師在台灣的教學經驗

Abstract

在全球化快速的腳步之下，英語教育逐漸受到非英語系國家的重視。各國政府紛紛將英語納入國小必修課程之中。為了提升孩童英語能力，各國更是積極引進外籍教師。因此，外籍教師的教學開始受到關注(Arva & Medgyes, 2000; Barratt & Kontra, 2000)。然而，許多國內研究皆顯示引進外籍教師的成效無法完全彰顯。其原因除了外師缺乏教學經驗與技巧之外，外師的流動率也是主因之一(林怡瑾,2002;周美瑜,2005;溫智雄,2006;陳錦芬,2007)。本研究以個案研究方式探討一位美籍英語教師，Bert，在台超過十四年的英語教學經驗以及其教學現況。本研究採取質性研究法，透過訪談、教室觀察與文件分析收集資料，並討論三個議題：(1)Bert的教學經驗及其影響，(2)Bert的教室教學、教學成效以及教學問題，(3)Bert在台所遇到之困難。本研究結果顯示Bert豐富的教學經驗、認真的教學態度、以及積極的面對困難的個性使得他能成功在台灣長期從事英語教學。最後，依據本研究結果，針於在台外籍英語教師以及政策制定者，進一步提供相關建議，以作為未來外籍教師在英語教學專業成長上，以及政府外籍教師引進政策制定及修訂之參考。

With the rapid pace of globalization, many Asian governments have introduced English education to elementary school curriculum with the recognition of the importance of English. Meanwhile, many native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) have also been recruited to teach local students to enhance their English competence. However, many studies indicate that the effect of recruiting NESTs has been reduced because of NESTs’ insufficient professional knowledge and their high turnover rate (Lin, 2002; Chou, 2005; Wen, 2006; Chen, 2007). Thus, the purpose of this research is to investigate the teaching of one American English teacher, Bert, who has taught English in Taiwan for over fourteen years. A qualitative research method was adopted in this case study. Data were collected through interviews, classroom observation and document analysis to discuss three issues concerning Bert’s teaching experience: (a) his past teaching experience, (b) his current classroom practices, teaching effectiveness, teaching problems and (c) the difficulties he encountered in Taiwan. The study concluded that although Bert began his teaching with insufficient EFL teaching knowledge and skills, his rich experience, serious teaching attitude and his positive personality toward the difficulties he encountered in Taiwan have enabled him to successfully teach English in Taiwan. Finally, pedagogical implications and suggestions derived from the discussions were offered to the NESTs in Taiwan for professional growth and to the government for policy-making.