A Letter to Freshman
1 August 2010
Dear Freshman,
As the Chair of the English Department at Aletheia University, formerly Oxford College, I want to congratulate you on your decision to study at one of Taiwan’s oldest, Western-style universities. Our university is rich in history, with a beautiful campus and vibrant student life. Founded by the Canadian Presbyterian missionary George Leslie Mackay more than a century ago, our university has attracted a number of talented and accomplished local and foreign faculty who are recognized for their teaching AND scholarship. In keeping with a new trend in the Humanities, our foreign and local faculty is very inter-disciplinary, having specialized training in Western philosophy, religious history, English literature, American literature, (cross-)cultural studies, English drama, fiction, linguistics, ESL (English as a Second Language), as well as translation, interpretation, media English and tourist English. We are very proud of our annual Senior play, twelve to date, and the fact that many have been musicals.
We offer various interesting and useful courses, and you will be pleased to know that our foreign faculty also offer courses in English conversation and composition in order that students have the necessary exposure to native English speakers. We find that a combination of local teachers fluent in English and native English teachers best accommodates the ESL requirements of students of varying abilities. Suffice it to say that you are in very capable local and foreign hands from a purely academic point of view.
We pride ourselves on being a department of caring and conscientious teachers who are dedicated to the well-being of students and the creation, through education, of well-rounded individuals who can compete in an ever-changing and highly competitive world. Our program of study is designed with both meaning and career success in mind, preparing our graduates for the international stage where English is the language of trade and commerce, diplomacy, as well as education. Our goal, in short, is to provide students with the necessary linguistic and intellectual skills to accomplish their dreams--both personal and professional--anywhere in the world they chose to live. Clearly, a mastery of English is essential to success in a global world.
For most, if not all of your practical needs, let me direct your attention to the English Department Student Association. They will help you choose your courses and introduce you to the university and campus life. Throughout the year, they will also organize a variety of student activities--like the annual karaoke competition. My executive assistant, Nova Lu is very kind and will answer any questions or problems you have if and when I am not available. In addition, my colleagues and I are available during office hours and hope you will stop by and see us.
For now, let me simply welcome you and say how much we all look forward to meeting and working with you.
Sincerely ,
Jane Lee
Dr. Jane Lee
Chair, English Department
Aletheia University
Tel: (02) 2621-2121#5111/5112
Fax: (02)8631-8425
E-mail: au4394@mail.au.edu.tw
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