Jerry Tai

EMA, Class of 2016

1. What’s your favorite thing about the program at NTUT?

The English MA program at NTUT is excellent. The courses are diverse, covering literature and culture, period and modern literature, film and culture, science fiction and culture, teaching British and American Literature, linguistics, translation, interpreting, ESP, SLA, pragmatics, and many more. All courses are taught by first-rate professors in the field with excellent teaching ethics and guidance. The professors can make adjustment according to the students’ needs and interests. With a solid curriculum and state-of-the-art teaching technology, the students can benefit from the courses and develop their own thesis with the assistance and support from the advisors. In short, the professionalism of the professors and the diverse courses are on my top list.

2. What skills have you gained during your time as an MA student?

I learned how to conduct research and write a good paper with a critical viewpoint. In addition, I have also gained some insight on the current scholarly trends in linguistics, literature and culture studies, teaching methodology, and philosophical thinkers and their theories.

3. Why should people consider the daytime (or evening) MA program at NTUT?

As an evening program student, I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to pursue greater knowledge in literature, culture, linguistics, or to anyone who desires to open up their minds and expand their horizon on the world of arts, linguistics and literature. This program will surely advance your abilities carry you to a higher level.

4. In ten years, when you look back at your time at NTUT, what about that time will you be most grateful for?

Being a student who graduated from my undergrad program over a decade ago, I treasure this rare opportunity to come back to school, and I try to make every learning experience valuable and meaningful. As a result, I have to say that I have no regrets and enjoy every moment of it.

5. What’s convenient about the program at NTUT?

Our school library at NTUT is in corporation with other libraries in many higher education institutions in Taipei city such as National Taiwan University, National Taipei University, and National Yang Ming University.

Another advantage for being in the evening MA program is that I can also apply for Teacher Certification Course organized by Teacher Education Center. Students can enjoy the benefit of obtaining an additional certification once they have joined this program.

6. What have you learned from other students at NTUT?

The students at NTUT are highly-motivated and well-disciplined. This mostly comes from the students’ own personalities and their own characteristics. I have built up great friendship with my fellow classmates in NTUT. We are all supportive and helpful to each other. With such a positive learning atmosphere, it creates a friendly and comfortable learning environment all around.

7. Have you appreciated particular courses that we offer? Which ones? Why?

In Teaching British Literature (Spring 2013), and Teaching American Literature (Fall 2014), I learned to develop new strategies for teaching literature (to high school students, in my case). I also was able to create a curriculum of a workable plan in incorporating British/American literature into the regular Taiwanese EFL teaching system. Also, I have learned much in courses on linguistics and pragmatic skills and theories, which are extremely insightful and instrumental in teaching EFL/ESL. Last but not least, Technology and Modern Literature (Fall 2013) and Workshop: Creative Writing (Spring 2013) enticed my interest in science fiction and creative writing, even in poetry and modern literature. The list goes on.