Web-Based English Writing Courses for Graduate Students

Abstract

As globalization and rapid development of science and technology has brought huge impact on today’s world, it is important for non-English speaking countries such as Taiwan, Republic of China, to actively participate in the international community through communication in the international language, English. In higher education, dissemination of research achievements through publication of international journals has been a common degree requirement, the practice in public researchoriented universities being the noticeable example. However, graduate students who have such needs are often unprepared to demonstrate acceptable academic writing abilities in English. To facilitate effective access to research information and to promote national academic excellence through international publications, it is essential to promote writing instruction of English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Meanwhile, Web-based environments provide a viable choice of delivery of EAP courses and the computer-mediated communication tools help formation of the student body as virtual organizations as they learn with one another.