2014年7月30日 星期三

具國際觀與外語能力 文藻蟬聯全國技職冠軍

文藻外語大學再度榮獲全國企業界肯定!《Cheers》雜誌「2014年企業最愛大學生」調查結果出爐,文藻於「具國際觀及外語能力」項目,連續五年蟬聯全國技職校院冠軍,並榮獲「企業最愛私立技職校院」全國第二名。

《Cheers》雜誌於去年2013年針對全國前二千大企業深入調查,其中在業界看重的「具國際觀及外語能力」項目中,文藻外大再度領先台灣科大、台北科大及高雄應用科大等多所國立技職大學,不但名列第一,也是前五名中唯一的私立技職大學。此外,文藻外大也再度擠進前十五大「企業最愛技職校院」,並列私立技職校院第二名。

文藻外大的國際化成果豐碩,目前共締結130所姊妹校,遍及全球五大洲23國。近六年來,海外大學來訪人數已近七百人,而海外來訪交換生或短期研習交流人數更達上千人。同時,文藻亦選派優秀學生擔任交換生或進行短期研習交流,至今累計已逾一千五百名學生出訪。此外,文藻學生代表團亦獲選為外交部青年大使,代表我國出訪全球各邦交國,為台灣拚外交。

文藻外大除了大學部學生表現搶眼外,專科部的教學也獨具特色。文藻建校至今,外語課程皆以目標外語授課(含學西文、日文等),並於專科部實施全國唯一的雙外語課程,且全校學生必需通過相關外語能力檢定門檻才能順利畢業。

此外,文藻專科部另招收雙外語跨領域國際專業人才菁英班(五專菁英班),致力於培養具有跨領域專業知能、多元實務經驗、人文素養及健全人格的高級實用雙外語人才。文藻五專菁英班具有「五加二」(五專+二技)的彈性學制與學習一貫化特色,依照「雙外語菁英培育」、「專業養成」與「專業成長」等三階段設計課程。

今年文藻外大首度承辦103學年度五專聯合特色招生考試分發入學試務工作,參加招生學校共有文藻外語大學、國立臺北商業技術學院及國立臺中科技大學等三所知名學府。

資料來源:中央社

2014年7月28日 星期一

3歲女童智商160分 堪比愛因斯坦和霍金

美國亞利桑那州出了一位3歲小神童,很多小朋友3歲時還在為26個英文字母下苦功,阿萊克西斯·馬丁已經學會用iPad學西語,並能閱讀小學五年級程度的圖書。


人民網據外媒報導,據悉,阿萊克西斯早前測出的智商值高達160分,與愛因斯坦和霍金等物理學家看齊,她已被選入專收天才兒童的『門薩協會』。


阿萊克西斯的父親表示,她智力出眾,1歲就能一字不漏地背誦聽過的故事,也不會用錯學過的單詞。當然,女兒太聰明也會令父母煩惱,阿萊克西斯的父母正猶豫是否讓她提早讀幼稚園。


有醫生表示,阿萊克西斯不宜入讀普通學校,因為根據經驗,天才兒童若長期與資質平庸的同齡者相處,會產生高度焦慮。

資料來源:nownews

2014年7月25日 星期五

Introduction of Tea Color Sorter Machine

There are plenty of demands increasing in color sorter machines in the agricultural and industrial fields. Hence, we grab the chances to offer worldwide customers with the best products consisting of tea color sorter machine, rice color sorting machine, grain color sorters, beans color sorter machine. Among the product line, we are most proud of our tea color sorter machine. And below are its specific features.
Specific Features:
1High speed bus communication, high signal consistency, strong anti-interference ability. All ensure stable and reliable sorting operation.
2Oversized 10 inch color touch-screen display with user-friendly interface which makes users easy of use and good experience.
32048 pixel CCD camera image sensor with high precision image capture lens and custom image processing system that enables to shape features of high speed imaging.
4Our LED light is totally different from others. Ours is Double-lines led bulb. The LED bulb has enough light sources to cut down your cost with environmental protection.
5Double deck design and selectable enables materials balanced drop, decreasing breakage rate, and to improve purity rate. 
Sorting materials

Green Tea, Black Tea, White Tea, Yellow Tea, Pu’er Tea, Oolong and Other Tea Varieties.

Choose Jasper Villa Xinyi for a Full Relaxation

Have you managed to travel in Taipei for few days in recent days without a hotel reservation yet? Please put Jasper Villa Xin Yi in your pocket if you have affordable expenditure in renting a residence. It is not to worry about the rental price, because the offered service apartment deserves the price with the comfort of high level services. Ideally located in the heart of Taipei where is popular for tourists or travelers from different countries, convenient transportation is easy to access anywhere in Taipei.  

Combined with versatile amenities including year-round heated swimming pool, leisure spa for women, award winning restaurant, fitness center and more are all available in Jasper. Hence, the guests have short term or long term residences in our service apartment will not be bored and unsatisfied due to our fruitful facilities and recreations. Want to have a complete relaxation in your travel? Look no further than Jasper Villa Xin Yi. 

Jietai Intelligent Technology: Color Sorter Supplier

Jietai Intelligent Technology is a China based company specializing in sales, marketing, and customer support of optical sorting machines. The machines are widely used in food processing, industrial recycling, and plastic pellet processing. Jietai’s sorting machines cover the full range of tea color sorter machine, plastic color sorter machine, rice color sorting machine and more. These machines sort product sizes from tiny sesame seeds to plastics.

Our plastic color sorter machine is not just the most efficient way to sort your products; they are also a smart way to invest in your business. Our solutions boost throughput and availability while at the same time increase yield, quality and product safety. From optimized produce handling to ease of maintenance, we always have the big picture in mind, as well as the smallest detail.

Color Sorter Machine for Color Sorting Applications

In order to meet the primary demands of our customers, and let them choose the most suitable color sorting equipments, Jietai Intelligent Technology, based on the original modes of sorters, releases a new series of color sorting machines which are in plenty of both varieties and sizes. The large numbers of alternatives include rice color sorter machine, tea color sorter machine and beans color sorter machine

To cater to our esteemed clients, Jietai offers them various sorting applications and customized capacities. No matter what kind of material in particular you would like to sort, we always have the perfect color sorter machine to meet your requirements. Our mission is to provide you quality color sorting specifications and support your business and product with the best services.

Exporter of Rice Color Sorting Machine

Jietai Intelligent Technology manufactures and exports a wide range of rice color sorting machines, grain color sorting, rice color sorter, grains color sorter and color sorter which is highly functional and multi-purpose. These color sorting machines have been designed to deliver enhanced efficiency and greater sorting accuracy. The machines offer perfect sorting for all varieties of rice.

Being a client centric organization, we offer these machines with the facility of customization, which means that the clients can have these machines designed and manufactured as per their individual requirements. Available in variegated sizes, models and specification, all our machines are acknowledged for their low maintenance cost, hassle-free operations and longer functional life.

Jietai Intelligent Technology: A Manufacturer of Color Sorter

We are a major manufacturer of multi-use color sorter, based in China. We offer various types of products such as multi-use color sorter, rice color sorter, belt-type color sorter and so on. Our products are high quality and competitively priced. Our full chain of manufacturing plastic color sorter, X-ray food processing machine can be completed in China, even in one city. Our lower manufacturing cost can save your purchasing cost. More detailed description of our product is show on our websites.

Our company has accumulated more than ten years experience of mechanical production, and passed the ISO9001:2000 quality management system certification. Most machines are exported to several countries around the world; examination shows that our technology has reached the international advanced level.

Rice Color Sorter for Grains Processing Solutions

Jietai Technology offers the rice color sorter machine for effectively separating defects of black tipped, chalky, yellow, mouse droppings, immature grain, etc. Our color sorting machine for rice or grains is striving to get great solutions and high quality purified rice. Hence, it is possible to sort out miscellaneous cereals and all the foreign bodies contained in polished rice simultaneously the first time in the world.

Sorting accuracy at the speed of light using timing-designed cameras, products are scanned 100,000 times per second, creating sorting accuracy that is unachievable by any other method. Images are converted using high speed, 2048 pixel, and high-resolution CCD technology, for extreme accuracy in detecting down to 0.12mm defects. Our machines are capable of offering good accuracy and high sensitivity specifications to keep pace with the international standard. 

What is Use of Color Sorter Machine?

For food industry and plastic recycling, the color sorter machine is widely used to sorter different color of defective items. It can be applied for many materials such as tea, rice, cereal, grain, beans, nuts and non-food like plastic materials: PE, PVC, PP, etc. In general, the machine takes good advantage of CCD technology to color sorting solutions. The CCD in your camera has the function of measuring light at three separate wavelengths of red, green, and blue. That is to say, this is able to recognize color while separate defective items.

The system is added to special algorithm, such as shape selection, area algorithm in order to solve sorting problems like sorting some specific materials like beans according to their shapes, color, and area at the same time and make multi species color sorting to accomplish.

How Does Beans Color Sorter Work?

At present, there are several types of color sorter machines in the industry, from beans color sorter machine, rice color sorter machine to plastic color sorter machine. However, no matter which type is it, the main idea of working color sorter is the same. The basic working principle is: the color difference between good item which is purity and defective item (unwanted). To get started the sorting solution, the color sorter machine should translate the photo signal to electronic signal by photo-sensor and other complex element; then due to there is difference between good materials and bad materials, so corresponding there is also a difference good materials' electronic current. And we can adjust some degree electronic current is safe (good materials) and other is dangerous (defective or unwanted materials).

At last, when the electronic current is "safe", there is nothing happens and rice will successfully fall down to the accepted output; but if the electronic current is "dangerous", the ejector will be driven to blow away the bad or unwanted materials.

Amazed by Taipei Abundant Cultural, Gourmet Exploration

The general image of Taipei in my mind was filled with motorcycles and people in the narrow paths and sidewalks. However, Taipei journey in recent days broke my thoughts toward Taipei. I had great impression in Taipei, especially the apartment rentals we booked, the good taste we had and the historical cultures we admired.

Among of my travel in Taiwan, I spent my entire day exploring Taipei’s NationalPalaceMuseum, which is famous for its heritage, historical antiques and pieces of art. I fully indulged myself in the old days of Chinese history and experienced the world-renowned magnificent palace. For the last day of dinner, we had Din Tai Fung near our serviced hotel in Xinyi district to taste the exceptional gourmet, the elite of Chinese food, dumpling, dim sum items and hot and sour soup. All the dishes are very delicious! It made the best ending of my Taipei trip.

2014年7月24日 星期四

Features of Tea Color Sorter Machine

For the different shapes of tea leaves and tea stems, in combination with the spectral feature of image, the tea color sorter machine determines the shape and color algorithm to identify accurately defects in the materials. Different tea varieties are all available from original material, tea color sorting to final rejection to the end good product. This machine features to use the micro aberration distinguishing technology to effectively solve the sorting of tea with stems.

Otherwise, the tea color sorter machine adopts double layer and double sided with 360 degree view of identification to substantially increase the sorting performance. We use both the double-layer sorting system to complete sorting of materials and dedicated feed system ensuring uniformity of materials at one time to reduce damage to tea leaves.

The Color Sorting Technology for Cereal, Pulse, and Grain

Jietai Intelligent Technology equipped cereal color sorter machine view in both monochromatic ‘visible' light and NIR wavelength(s) simultaneously. NIR can be used to remove defective and foreign material that is the same visible color as the good cereal products. Examples include clear glass in white rice, brown stones in peanuts, mould damage in almonds, cob in corn grits, burnt material in flaked breakfast cereals, etc.

Foreign material can react differently to varying NIR wavelengths and therefore our tri-chromatic machines sort in two different mono wavelengths plus one NIR or one mono plus two different NIR wavelengths at the same time. Our tri-chromatic technology has an enviable reputation in the cereal and grains sorting industry, in many cases completely removing the need for manual inspection tables.

NIR Sensors Used with Identification Algorithms for Completing Tasks of Plastic Sorting Methods

Near-Infrared (NIR) sensor technology coupled with highly sensitive algorithms are likely the most efficient and consistent plastic sorting technologies due to their high sorting accuracy in separating desired plastics from mixed waste, as well as sorting plastics by color and resin types. Identification algorithms then rapidly categorize the different signatures of polymers from their infrared spectra.
While other sensor based sorting technologies, such as x-ray, laser, and light emitting device (LED), are capable of distinguishing between colors and densities, NIR with identification algorithms is likely to be the most consistent, accurate, and time-efficient of the various sensor based sorting options in terms of sorting plastics. Lasers and LED have the ability to detect color differences but cannot determine the different resin types of plastics. X-ray technology can decipher plastics from non-plastics but it cannot distinguish different colors and resin types, therefore lessening its overall efficiency in effective plastic sorting. NIR sensors used with identification algorithms are able to consistently complete all necessary tasks in the sorting of plastics. 

The Color Sorting Machine is invented for Farmers and Grains Processors

Around 1930, the idea of a machine able to sort by color was introduced in the US. By 1937, the first color sorting machine was made in England. The first color sorting machine was introduced to Japan in 1966 and the usage of these machines has since spread worldwide. Put simply, color sorting machines can detect and remove materials based on colors and visual elements not previously possible with conventional sorting machines. 

Discolored or damaged rice and foreign substances could now be sorted out by these machines, thus the product quality significantly improved.  Recently, due to traceability issues, farmers themselves have started to purchase rice color sorting machine due to the demand of consumers who prefer to purchase directly from farmers.

The Steps of Coffee Processing, Sorting and Cleaning

The final steps in coffee processing involve removing the last layers of dry skin and remaining fruit residue from the now dry coffee, and cleaning and sorting it. These steps are often called dry milling to distinguish them from the steps that take place before drying, which collectively are called wet milling.
The first step in dry milling is removing what is left of the fruit from the bean, whether simply the crumbly parchment skin in the case of wet-processed coffee, the parchment skin and dried mucilage in the case of semi-dry-processed coffee, or the entire dry, leathery fruit covering in the case of dry-processed coffee.

Most fine coffee goes through a beans sorter machine that sort the coffee by density of bean and by bean size, all the while removing sticks, rocks, nails, and miscellaneous debris that may have become mixed with the coffee during drying. First machines blow the beans into the air; those that fall into bins closest to the air source are heaviest and biggest; the lightest (and likely defective) beans plus chaff are blown in the farthest bin. Other machines shake the beans through a series of sieves, sorting them by size. Finally, an ingenious machine called a gravity separator shakes the sized beans on a tilted table, so that the heaviest, densest and best vibrate to one side of the pulsating table, and the lightest to the other.

Things You Need to Know about Color Sorter Machine

Installation:
While you are installing the tea color sorter machine, please avoid vibration and other interference in order to keep a good working condition of the equipment.
Environment:
Be aware of the environment of the operation. Just keep your tea color sorter under the appropriate room temperature (10-30), with the minimum dust interference and good ventilation installation. This is a crucial element during the operation and working situation of sorters. Further, the best environment for a color sorter machine can last the service life longer.
Light:
The sunlight is highly avoided because that this element will influence the sorting effect. To have a better tea leaves result, this machine should be placed indoor and shadowy room.
Maintenance: 

As the color sorter works, please don’t open the cover of sorting box to avoid that the dust enters and damages the CCD lens. If there is dust on the lens, please clean with the special lens paper; regularly remove the dust on the color sorter and clean the filter.

Plastic Color Sorting for Plastic Recycling, a Way of Going Green

Nowadays, the idea of environmental protection increasingly becomes a big and important issue due to the deterioration of environment and abnormal climate. Hence, everyone should go green since the ordinary days; for instance, separate the recycled products like plastic bottles from normal garbage in different garbage can. Accordingly, the recycled plastics will be transferred into the plants for processing which covers the solutions of plastic color sorting.

The plastic color sorting machine is able to work on various kinds of recycled plastics, including colorful PE bottle caps, PET bottle flakes, ABS crushing material, PP milk bottle flakes, transparent organic glass and a variety of other colorful mixed plastics; no matter they are pallets or flakes.

Color Sorting Machine for Saving the Labor Cost and Improving Working Efficiency

Peanuts are always the good partners for people watching television or some recreations with good taste or added ingredient for cooking. You may buy it in traditional market or supermarket without knowing the resource. In general, peanuts will be processed with the sorting solutions to pick out the purified and clean ones. The peanut sorting processing is applied to shelled peanuts, peanuts kernels, or blanched peanuts.

Without the peanut color sorting machine, it needs hand picking which consumes high labor cost with low accuracy. The automatic color sorting technology solves the problems of labor cost and improves the working efficiency by directly packing the processed peanuts and further lowers the troubles with employee management. Besides, the color sorter machine is not only used in peanuts, but also widely applied in fruits, coffee beans, soybeans, tea leaves, sea food, and plastic recycling.

Tomato Processing System & Sorting Machine

When it comes to sorting tomatoes, the important ways to evaluate sorting systems is the gentle processing plus accuracy of  color sorting  and weight sizing. Most of tomatoes in market are fragile and delicate fruit so it deserves the special and careful handling systems to avoid the damage.


Tomatoes is normally be sorted on the basis of the color, weight, diameter (minimum or maximum) to detect the blemishes and drawbacks with a variety of packing options available. The complete processing systems include place packing single or double layer packs or semi-automated volume filling where the computer weighs each carton automatically before palletizing. The color sorting machine is the crucial invention that makes fruit packers find the extraordinarily good value to replace hand sorting and to make the final product consistently superior compared to hand packing.

2014年7月21日 星期一

日籍老師學注音 教弱勢童日文

日籍老師大迫榮二熱愛台灣,他到台灣學中文、教日文,也關懷弱勢,每周到宜萱婦幼關懷協會,指導弱勢家庭的學生日文補習班,大迫榮二還特別學注音符號,用注音來教小朋友日文。這學期結束,他即將返日,小朋友都非常捨不得。

28歲的大迫榮二是日本大阪人,他在大學時曾修讀中文,對台灣文化很好奇;3年前,他來台灣工作,在補習班擔任日文老師,去年被派到宜蘭。

透過朋友介紹,大迫榮二到宜萱婦幼關懷協會的夜光天使班,教小朋友日文,他上課方式生動活潑,教小朋友唱日文歌,學50音;為了讓小朋友學習速度加快,他特別學注音符號,再用注音的發音,教小朋友講日文,宜萱理事長藍靜宜說,「小朋友學得特別快!」

大迫榮二將在7月回日本結婚定居,結束在宜萱的日文課,小朋友都很捨不得;學生陳忻汝說,自從大迫榮二老師教她說日文後,她對日文很感興趣,希望將來有機會到日本留學。

「台灣的小朋友很可愛,夜市很吸引人!」大迫榮二說,宜萱的孩子天真又可愛,他也跟著學扯鈴,參加宜萱的各項活動,收獲很多,他愛吃夜市的蚵仔煎和臭豆腐,將帶著滿滿行囊的記憶回日本。

資料來源:聯合報

2014年7月18日 星期五

如何增加來客率? Google店家環景攝影幫你呼朋引客

現代人習慣在使用Google Map定位目的地或是搜尋附近店家,不難發現最近Google Map上多了一項功能──「瀏覽內部實景」,點進去後能立即走進店家內部,用滑鼠點擊就能在店內自由走動,觀看細部的裝潢擺設,在線上親身感受店內氛圍,成為消費者在選擇餐廳、旅館民宿時一項重大指標。

「這是Google一項革命性的創舉」,台北數位集團產品經理盧新佩表示,繼Google地圖、Google街景之後,Google將原先的街景服務概念延伸帶入店家內部,讓網路使用者在線上便能身歷其境,跨越距離藩籬,實際體驗店家所營造的氛圍;這項服務推行於全球30多個國家,在國外廣泛應用許久,這次引入台灣市場,估計勢必會引發一股風潮。台北數位深入街頭巷尾,幫近千家的商店拍攝Google環景,其中包含餐廳、民宿、寵物、沙龍…等數十種行業,迅速拉近店家與消費者的距離。

店家環景攝影不同於一般攝影器材所拍攝的全景照片,在Google的系統輔助之下,使用者能夠自由地在店家內部走動,360度體驗空間呈現;以民宿旅館業為例,使用者除了可以清晰看到房間內部的擺設之外,更能走出房間,靈活穿梭於公共空間和私人空間,實際看見店家特色和設計巧思。盧經理表示:「當顧客花愈多時間在和店家互動時,店家愈能在顧客心中留下鮮明的印象,環景服務提高了顧客實際造訪的機率,有效將網路流量轉變為實際來客。」

台北東區知名餐飲業者雅室牛排分享拍攝環景攝影的成功經驗:「過去我們不曾在網路行銷下預算,但是我們意識到,在未來的二十年之中,網路原住民世代將成為主力客群,我們就是要經營這一批十七歲到三十歲的顧客。」雅室牛排選擇在環景攝影剛進入市場時就搶先拍攝,如今無論在地圖的搜尋結果排名、或實際的來客,都有顯著的提升。「環景攝影增加了我們和消費者之間的接觸點,在有圖有真相的時代,Google環景團隊的專業攝影師能夠把食物的色香味美完整呈現,傳達我們的品質和餐廳氛圍;雅室未來二十年,會選擇跟Google緊密結合在一起。」

此外,環景攝影應用多元,不僅能嵌入店家官網和粉絲團,美食部落客也能嵌入食記中,更能串連 Google 地圖、Google+與在地資訊頁,讓搜尋結果更突出。連鎖集團想拍攝旗下多個營業據點也沒問題,Google Map中可以幫各個據點獨立註冊,每個點都能有獨一無二的室內環景。台北W飯店便是利用此特性,選擇台北數位幫他們一口氣拍攝旗下的數個餐廳及酒吧,希望讓愛嘗鮮的消費者耳目一新。

網路新時代已經來臨,如何在資訊龐雜的消費市場中脫穎而出、提升能見度是店家首要面臨的問題,唯有善用最新工具才能取得先機。因此除了拍攝Google店家環景,台北數位更替店家製作專屬網站,把環景嵌入於網站中,提供瀏覽者更多的消費資訊。更結合Google廣告,幫店家在全台兩萬多個聯播網做曝光,全方位利用網路行銷工具幫店家大大打開知名度。

訊息來源:亞普達國際電子商務股份有限公司

2014年7月17日 星期四

救救菜英文 大家一起來

有一部電影「救救菜英文」描述一位印度太太因不會講英文,不僅備受丈夫、女兒的嘲笑,到美國也鬧出很多糗事,促使她立志學好英文的故事。

還有一本書「為什麼日本樂天員工都說英語?」三木谷社長公開他如何用兩年時間,讓7,000名員工花1,000小時把多益成績(Test of English for International Communication,簡稱TOEIC)提高161.1分達到687.3分的秘訣。相信這兩件事會激起不少國人再度發誓要把英文學好。

英文已在世界上取得關鍵通用語言的地位,一個國家能運用多少外語,可反應出該國的軟實力;一個企業的英語化就是國際化的第一步。 而一個人的英文能力決定在M型社會裡的位置及成功機率,可說是關鍵的事業敲門磚。

不管是國家、企業或個人,英文是一定要有的能力。早在1892年,清光緒皇帝20歲就曾頒布詔書告知全世界他正在學英語;連道道地地的英國人兼諾貝爾文學獎得主邱吉爾也要老老實實地學文法 ;法國總統上網後大吃一驚隨即下令「雙語教學」;李明博當選總統後宣布要投下鉅資全面提升南韓的英文水平。

孫正義因佩服阪本龍馬脫藩的勇氣下決心赴美留學苦讀英文,學成回國創辦日本軟體銀行,宣稱任何員工只要能在多益英語測驗滿分990分中拿到900分以上,就能領取公司提供的100萬日圓。李嘉誠年輕時一邊在茶樓當學徒,一邊啃英文單字,他把單字寫在手心裡,只要一抬手倒茶就會看到單字,等這個單字背完了,到後頭裝水時再寫一個新單字,就憑著這股苦學精神,生意做遍全世界,成為華人首富,竟把香港變成李家「城」。

此外,聽說馬雲的流利英語全靠在杭州西湖主動免費擔任老外的導遊自學旅遊英文,英語是他翻身的主要途徑,創建了全球最大的電子商務平台(淘寶網占大陸網購市場85%),去年11月11日的光棍節,900多萬個淘寶網店竟創下人民幣350億元、1.6億筆交易的紀錄,他以「怪、醜、強」成為90後年輕人心目中的偶像。

在日本基金業者的接待人員有很多中國大陸的年輕人,他們大都是頂尖大學的畢業生,會先到美國一流學府攻讀MBA學位,再到日本打工學日語,最後風風光光成為至少能操兩種外語的鍍金「海歸」。

在台灣,能這樣用心提升外語水準的年輕人似乎不多,一家外商的總經理就直言,「台灣年輕人的國際浸潤度不夠,而且英文實在太爛了!連發個英文e-mail,都要主管修改。」

專家估計,有88%的企業認為英文是任職的重要能力指標、67%的企業在考慮外派或升遷時會參照英檢成績 ,有42%的上班族害怕開口說英文、57%的上班族自認英文程度不好、83%的上班族有進修英文的意願。

有識之士感慨 ,「年輕人在台灣學了數十年英文,結果溝通能力還不如在新加坡打工一年的印尼傭。」 現在台灣金融界最好的位置,全都被20年前父母送出國去的小留學生占據了,難怪在HSBC約300個國際人才中,只有1個台灣人 。

看來,台灣的年輕人真的必須痛下決心,大家一起來救救菜英文了。

資料來源:經濟日報

2014年7月14日 星期一

第二外語夯! 西、日、法語小娃兒都學

現在家長為了不讓孩子輸在起跑點,讓孩子從小就接觸外語,除了英文必學之外,還有家長開始培養孩子第二外國語言,包括法語、學西班牙文、日語在坊間都是常見的,透過情境式的教學方式,讓孩子邊學邊玩,像是上課換裝變,或是教室營造成下午茶餐廳,小孩學外語就像是學母語一樣,不過專家說,學習外語還是在國小3年級後比較恰當,否則影響母語學習。

認識數字、日期,外籍老師講的是西班牙語,3歲小朋友邊學邊玩,全程都用西班牙文溝通。西班牙兒歌:「早安、午安、晚安,你好嗎,你好嗎。」

外籍老師和小朋友用西班牙文對談,再加點字卡和教具輔助,小朋友也能簡單對答,不管聽不聽得懂,小朋友還是玩得開心,因為現在除了英文外,第二外語現在也很夯。

有小孩帶著超人面具,日籍老師用兒歌讓小小孩化身成麵包超人,為了讓學齡前孩子邊玩邊學小學生vs.老師:「我有這個。」

為了讓孩子學外語像是講母語一樣,用情境教學替小孩上課,進教室前得先換裝,先變成小公主,甚至有時候還有下午茶教學,邊吃邊學,直接讓孩子做中學。學生家長:「有時候在玩的時候,也可以把它帶出來(講外語),這就像我們在使用母語一樣。」

只是這些小娃兒全都只念幼稚園,真的從小接觸外語就能贏在起跑點嗎?專家表示,孩子接受外語教學最好還是從小三開始比較適當,否則一下接觸這麼多語言,容易造成語言混淆外,還會影響母語學習,學得快反而也忘得快。

資料來源:TVBS

2014年7月10日 星期四

韓流擴散 海外增設韓語學堂

南韓文化體育觀光部表示,隨著世界各地日益關注南韓文化,負責在海外推廣韓語教育的機構「世宗學堂」,報名學韓文的學生,以及參加韓國語文能力測驗的人數,都大幅增加,而且韓國政府已決定在海外增設韓語學堂。

世宗學堂分為「一般世宗學堂」與「文化院世宗學堂」兩部。報導說,目前全球有36個國家總共設有67所一般學堂,20 個國家總共設有23所文化院世宗學堂。

報導說,一般學堂在2007年只有740名學生,但南韓政府全力推廣南韓大眾文化,學韓文的人數跟著劇增,2008年增加到2906人,2009年是4301人,2010年有6016人。

等到電視劇和韓國流行音樂匯集成「韓流」,在世界各地掀起熱潮,學韓文的人數更大幅上升。去年,到一般世宗學堂報名的學生多達1萬6590人。文化院世宗學堂因為報名費較低,學生更多,去年上課者有17萬6478人。

南韓政府眼見海外情況熱烈,決定在2017年以前將全球世宗學堂增加到二百所,並計畫向世宗學堂的成績優異學生提供到南韓親身體驗的機會。

同時,參加韓國語文能力考試者也快速增加。報導說,以考大學為主要目的「一般韓國語能力考試」 (Standard Korean Language Proficiency Test,簡稱S-TOPIK),1997 年開辦,現在由於韓流推動,以及南韓企業在海外看好,累計已超過一百萬人報名。2007年有8萬2881人報考,去年增加到15萬1166人。

開韓國學課程或成立韓文系的外國大學,已增加到840多所。韓流最夯之地,亦即亞洲地區,就有550多所大學設有韓文系。2011年,外國中小學開的韓文班有七百個,總共有6萬4000名學生。

資料來源:聯合晚報

2014年7月7日 星期一

周末英檢社團幸福特色教學

幸福國中每周六聘請英語師資,讓學生免費上全民英檢課程,去年就幫助十六位學生通過初級英檢,還有一位學生取得中級英檢證照,相當於英語已經有高中程度。

幸福國中自創校以來,不遺餘力推廣英語特色教學,也被桃園教育局列為英語特色認證學校,民國九十五年更成立桃園第一間英語文化教室,提供學生良好的英文學習環境。

多元化的英語創意課程,凸顯出幸福國中的教學優勢。校長陳寶慧表示,學校還利用每周六半天時間開設英檢社團,讓孩子學習英文,「英檢課程完全免費,讓弱勢孩子不會因學費問題被拒於門外。」

英檢課程聘請銘傳大學應英系助教施肇鑫擔任講師,趣味教學征服學生的心,學生快樂學商用英文課程,取得英檢證書對未來升學也有加分作用。家長會支持這項計畫,只要學生考過初級英檢,就給予一千元獎學金。

「英語教育應該要更生活化,學英文不僅是為了升學,更是生活上一項重要工具。」教務主任高中玉說,幸福國中在教室空間設置、英語教學上都展現出獨特創意,帶動學校英語學習風氣。

資料來源:www.merit-times.com.tw/NewsPage.aspx?Unid=339673

2014年7月3日 星期四

距離台北最近的生態村

一群法國青年以及一位台灣留學生,計劃性的闖入進駐一棟閒置的老房子,作為發展軟性革命的基地,伸展邊緣性的政治理想。在面臨警察隨時可能的驅離,他們在高亢和緊張的氛圍裡,快速地建立一棟空屋所有的生活設施,並進行各項活動。以回收都市裡大眾丟棄的垃圾資源度日,在欠缺電力供應的屋裡展現旺盛的行動力。作者阿沐以一位正在學法語的外國學生與其共同生活,在語言溝通不順暢的情況下低調的介入和參與,也因為語言造成的距離,他才有餘裕的時空觀察這一切過程。此紀實小說是『尋找烏托邦計劃』發想的源頭。

當阿沐告訴我他的親身經歷時,我不禁驚呼這不就像是電影情節,阿沐接著說:「這在歐洲很盛行,英文稱做squat,意思指非法占據一個廢棄的空屋」,令我想起丹麥哥本哈根獨立自治區「自由城生態村」(Freetown Christiania),原本也是河右岸的軍事廢墟,經過40年後,現在已經發展成丹麥政府不得不保護的重要觀光區,也是成功運作的生態村。

喜歡現代舞蹈,曾經出過「流浪報告」﹑「半年時光,一棟房子裡」兩本書的阿沐,外表是藝術家的模樣,現在的他更務實地踩在土地上,從法國回來之後,和partner灰一起環島兩年,以徒步及搭便車的方式沿途拜訪朋友,也同時尋覓未來適合落腳的地方。「聽起來好像浪人喔」我在心裡暗想。相對於阿沐的世故與理性,灰更充滿藝術氣息,爽朗的她外表像是天真爛漫的小女孩,但做事方式卻總是追求完美,不懼艱難。

阿沐和灰正在距離台北最近的地方「虎山」實驗心目中生態村的理想。經過多方嘗試與各方人馬洽談之後,決定和『微遠文化藝術基金會』合作,以信任為前提,互為合作夥伴角色性地,共同經營一個過去是非法佔領的廟宇廢棄地。

位於台北101對面的四獸山,有兩萬多坪的空地,除了過去廟宇遺留的基礎建設,還有的就是土壤底下看不見的嚴重垃圾汙染。在進駐這片空間之前,阿沐說:「我們真的整理出14輛卡車的垃圾,後來從鄰居口中得知,基地內原宮廟的住持的兒子從事水電工作,為謀利接收了台北市「都更」後拆除老房子的工程垃圾,依估計這14輛卡車的圾垃應該是運往更邊陲地帶進行傾倒掩埋。」聽到這邊我被一計鐘聲重重敲醒,從沒想過每天我們消費造成的無數垃圾該往哪裡去,是被焚燒了還是被掩埋了?若是被掩埋了,我們的土地該如何生存?

2013年10月開始,阿沐和灰連同『微遠文化藝術基金會』的辦公室同仁一起搬進這塊位於山谷中的空間,當我初次造訪時,詫異於這裡的次文化及時空背景。環繞台北市信義區山脈,舊名「錫口山」,因為山型酷似虎、豹、獅、象,故名「四獸山」,虎山偏處於北側。位於台北市邊陲地帶的虎山像私生子般未被首善之都的環境標準所顧及,因此滿山遍野的圾垃觸目驚心、違建宮廟林立、卡拉0K透過大功率喇叭淹沒了山林間的蟲鳴鳥叫....從後埤站捷運站下車後,沿路走來看到台北市的整齊市容,漸漸地往山上走,沿路是生氣蓬勃的果菜市場,和戶外簡陋的理髮廳;途中的廟宇繁不勝收;即便是進入了這個距離台北最近的生態村還是不敢相信自己身處的位置。

直到阿沐笑笑地向我介紹園區裡的有機食物花園、樸門設計的螺旋香草園和有機堆肥、酵素的製作等等,我才可以安心地欣賞這別具特色的另類空間。而當灰向我解釋未來的改造計畫時,讓我會心一笑且對這個空間感到慶幸,原本是困題重重的土壤,但經過了眾人的淨化後,我相信這裡未來會是台北人最喜愛的後花園。

發起人之一的灰指著原本是地上的土地公小廟說:「這是我們的屋頂花園」,原以為是雜草叢生,仔細一看原來在地上小廟的屋頂上,重新種了可愛的多肉植物,也是可以食用的石蓮花,綠意叢生的屋頂花園有多肉、有香草,顛覆了我們想像的「天空花園」;阿沐接著說「這原本是香爐塔,我們計畫將它改造為麵包窯」,真是難以相信這兩位生態村創辦人的天馬行空,但誰說不可以呢?將已有的構造發揮想像力加以改造,未來肯定一個最具台北歷史特色,與在地文化緊密結合,獨一無二的生態村。

從去年10月到現在,生態村已經完成很多大大小小的改造計畫,在基金會的經費支助下,在空間環境許可的條件下,邀請各式各樣的藝術表演、藝文活動、教學課程在這裡發生;參與的學員期待一周見面一次的有趣體驗,大家可以放下俗務一起動手做,並且與志同道合的朋友分享所見所聞。「在這裡好事會發生」因為來的都是好人(笑)。許多關心台灣生態村發展的好朋友也不辭千里來相挺,集合了不同領域專家的建議和鼓勵,這個因為天時﹑地利﹑人和創辦的生態村似乎是下一個改變台北的景觀。大學時期學的是建築,女孩灰有專業的知識,可以將夢想藍圖具體實踐,這不是每位建築系畢業生可以有的珍貴經驗。

希望將法國共同居住的經驗帶回台灣,阿沐其實有很清楚的願景,此地的生態村不是少數人擁有的組織,而是一群人共同參與、投入、無領導者的自發性社群。真正的遠景是打造共同生活村,住在生態村裡的人可以互相合作,親手種植食物、節約能源、與大地共存,各自的一份心力 , 因聚合而溫暖而且堅強。當然更希望可以盡可能降低金錢的使用,讓我們可以安心地生活,不需要因為物質的誘惑及壓力,將生命中最重要的時間拿去賺錢。生態村鼓勵人們可以專注自己喜歡做的事,發揮所長,體驗美好的生活,但在達到這個理想之前,需要很大的勇氣與準備。對於未來已經有清楚畫面的灰一邊忙碌一邊開心地說:「我們不擔心,我們只是需要一些時間,我們什?都沒有但是有很多時間」。

每天忙著工作的我們,擁有許多但是總是時間不夠,生態村計畫點醒了我們,每個人的夢想既微小又遠大,小小的力量可以改變未來,阿沐和灰開心地在台北後山一步步完成眼前的任務。不確定自己適不適合住在夢想的生態村,你可以來找他們玩,也可以花一個周末和他們住在一起,體驗這似夢似真的時空,也許你會找到心目中的烏托邦。

資料來源:e-info.org.tw/node/97288

2014年7月1日 星期二

留英訪談:從新生到學生大使

倫敦南岸大學(London South Bank University)國際金融與會計碩士(MSc International Finance and Accounting)在讀生徐起東來自哈爾濱。

活潑外向的小徐非常適應這裏的生活,甚至來倫敦不久就開始擔任學生大使,幫助其它同學辦理日常事務。

子川: 你在中國是學國際貿易的,大學畢業後又工作過兩年,後來為什麼選擇到英國讀書?
東:因為我覺得人應該有一個不斷挑戰自我的過程,而且我對自己未來的職業生涯規劃也有一個想法,就是工作兩年,賺一部分學費,然後出來進修一下。我覺得英國的教育水平在世界範圍來說是很高的,所以就決定來英國讀碩士。

子川:為什麼選擇南岸大學?
東:首先,我覺得它是離倫敦市中心最近的大學之一。而且我打算考ACCA會計資格證書。南岸大學允許我免修最多9門課,這樣對於我來說壓力不是很大。
另外,我有好多老同學在這邊,他們跟我說,我可以在學校組織的活動中接觸到社會上的人,也可以認識更多學校裏面的外國學生。我覺得這對我未來都是有很大幫助的。

子川:那你剛來倫敦的時候,有沒有什麼不適應?
東:剛下飛機的時候是有一點。但是後來學校有人接機,都幫我安排好了。我下了飛機就找到了那個人。他還帶我去辦理入學手續,去警察局註冊,後來我聽說這就叫南岸精神。所以,之後我也做了學生大使,帶新來的同學去警察局註冊、去學校註冊。我也因此認識了很多新朋友。

子川:所以你剛來沒多久,就已經在幫助其他新的同學了?
東:大概一周之後我就已經開始做這些事情了。我是住在學生宿舍的,學校給了我一張遊覽圖,標明一些學校的建築和景點。可以看到泰晤士河是貫穿了整個倫敦。我發現只要是沿著泰晤士河走,你就不會迷路。就算我走丟了,也可以回到學校。

子川:南岸大學為歡迎新同學?備了很多活動,你都參加了哪些活動?
東:為了迎接新生,學校舉行了一個國際學生BBQ燒烤活動,大家可以吃邊聊。學校還舉辦了一個假面舞會,我覺得挺有意思的。
那是我第一次跟外國人一起跳舞、一起交流,互相留下聯繫方式。學校還組織了一次泰晤士河遊船的活動,去看倫敦塔橋,去格林尼治,路上有專人給我們解說。

子川:那你在這些活動上跟其它國家的學生交流多嗎?
東:交流很多,因為我去參加這些活動的時候,只有兩、三個中國學生,其他全都是外國人。我們學校有一個語言互換中心。我在那裏結識了想學漢語的朋友,大家就商量好,我教他漢語,他教我英語。
我認識的同學中,有一個是挪威的,有人是瑞士的,我在想如果我把英語練得很好的話,會考慮去學法語或者德語,應該對我未來會有更大的幫助。

子川:倫敦有很多博物館和景點,去看了嗎?
東:博物館的話,免費開放的都去了。我可以給大家提供攻略。你如果想逛博物館的話,可以單獨拿出來一天。首先去一下大英博物館,然後坐地鐵去有三個博物館連在一起的地方,就是科學博物館、自然歷史博物館和維多利亞阿爾伯特博物館。
上午走一個地方,下午走一個地方會比較合適。去大英博物館就是去看各個國家原來的一些珍貴的文物。去科學博物館就是去看英國發展的這些文化的東西和工業革命以後的機械,還有一些現代科技上的一些東西。

子川:像倫敦以外的地方,你也有機會去嗎?
東:我去過牛津大學,因為這個是哈里波特的拍攝地。 我們住在牛津的青年旅舍,這也是我第一次住那種16個人一間房,來自各個國家的人聚在一起,大家晚上可以一起聊聊天。
我下一步計劃跟同學結伴徒步旅行,走到著名的巨石陣。因為對於很多從中國來的人來說,這是一個非常神秘的地方,我就特別想去看看。

子川:你現在已經開始上課了,覺得有沒有什麼不適應的地方?
東:學習方面有,因為我覺得語言方面必須要努力,因為有時候真的還挺難的。如果你說話交流的話,肯定沒有問題。但是涉及到專業知識上,我覺得一是文化背景的不同,二是上課接觸到的專業詞匯量特別大。

這邊課程的信息量會特別的大,而且在上課之前需要做很多的前期?備,這邊課程最注重的是討論、展示。我聽英國老師講課還好,但是要涉及到其它一些來自國家的教授的話,那麼就有語言和口音的問題。我覺得這個對於我來說是最大的挑戰。

資料來源:BBC英倫網