Incorporating creativity and reflection into their courses to enhance learning experiences and outcomes, Dr. Wen-Chun Chen, Associate Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages, and Dr. Yung-Chiam Wu, Assistant Professor at the Language Center of National Chung Cheng University, have made significant strides in aligning teaching with research to elevate learning achievements. Dr. Chen integrates technological software into language education to enhance students’ skills in presentation and communication. Dr. Wu creates realistic scenarios in classroom settings to encourage self-reflection and accelerate language acquisition. Recently, both received the 2022 Excellence Award from the Ministry of Education (MOE) Teaching Practice
Research Program.

Since 2018, the MOE has been promoting the Teaching Practice Research Program at tertiary institutions, encouraging educators to implement teaching innovations through course design, educational materials, and technological media, supported by appropriate research methodologies and assessments. In 2022, out of over 1,600 submissions nationwide, 154 were selected as "Excellence Projects." Led by Dr. Chen, the project "Reconceptualizing English Presentation Training: Verbal-Visual Communication with New Mediums" builds on the achievements of the 2020 project. It advances the professional English course design in multimedia English presentation training by incorporating language, visual graphics, and presentation tools to increase audience engagement and Q&A
interactions. Dr. Chen noted that adding a Q&A component enhances students' communication practice, breaking the typical silence observed among Asian students in classrooms and fostering effective interaction between presenters and the audience.

Dr. Chen emphasizes, "It’s not just about keeping the tools up-to-date; the course content must also meet student needs." The course is designed with a student-centric approach, continuously updating content. It features lectures by external professionals and experts in visual communication, enhancing the practicality of the course. She mentioned that incorporating these industry professionals in teaching allows students to connect with the industry, providing substantial benefits for their future careers.

"Language is for communication, and understanding the context is key to effective interaction," stated Dr. Wu, who leads the project "Applying Systemic Functional Grammar to Innovating Grammar and Vocabulary Instruction in First-Year College English Classes." Originally, students relied on rote memorization of grammar and vocabulary. This project enables them to integrate these elements appropriately in various contexts for communicative purposes, gradually improving their comprehension and communication skills.

"In teaching, it’s not just the students who need inspiration; teachers also need feedback," Dr. Chen remarked with a smile. Formerly a learning designer, she now views her role as a cheerleader for learning, fostering joint growth in each class. Dr. Wu added that current teaching relies on trust between teachers and students. The more effort put into engaging students during class, the higher their participation, and he is committed to accompanying students on their educational journey.