Taiwanese Students Research Articles

Exploring the Shift in Pro‐American Attitudes and Influencing Factors: An Analysis Using a Quasi‐experimental Design of Taiwanese Students

How can pro‐American attitudes be measured? What factors influence shifts in these attitudes? Anchored in institutional identity theory, this study constructs a pro‐American attitude scale and posits three hypotheses concerning Taiwanese consciousness, the evaluation of interdependent benefits, and political learning to elucidate the shift in pro‐American attitudes. Targeting Taiwanese students, this study employs a quasi‐experimental design for data collection and linear regression for hypothesis testing. The findings indicate that from February to June 2023, 37.68% of participants demonstrated a decrease in pro‐American attitudes, 36.24% demonstrated an increase, and 26.09% remained unchanged. Participants in the political learning experimental group displayed a shift in pro‐American attitudes in contrast to the control group. The regression model developed in this study accounted for 25.07% of the variance in the shift in Taiwanese students' pro‐American attitudes, and all hypotheses were empirically supported. An increase in Taiwanese consciousness or frequency of political learning corresponds to a decrease in pro‐American attitudes. Conversely, an elevated evaluation of Taiwan–America interdependent benefits correlates with an increase in pro‐American attitudes. This study demonstrates that political learning can mitigate the enhancing effect of political communication on pro‐American attitudes, thus offering a unique contribution to academic and practical fields.

The concepts of sustainability value and the application of big data in enhancing the ability of sustainability marketing

PurposeWe seek to contribute to the literature by comparing and analyzing the relationship between Australian and Taiwanese students regarding environmental value attitude, action intention and green marketing intention. Specifically, by comparing the green marketing intention of hospitality and tourism (H&T) students in the East with that in the West.Design/methodology/approachA well-designed curriculum examines student thinking and behavior (learn). This study compares and analyzes the value and attitude and the application of big data to green marketing among Taiwanese and Australian university students using the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the hypotheses in a sample of 633 H&T students in Taiwan (389) and Australia (244).FindingsThis study also shows how the national differences between Australia and Taiwan have interference effects on the relationship between value attitudes and action intentions and between action intentions and the green marketing intention. We also combined the application of big data and related variables and estimated the mediating effect of related variables to evaluate the impact on action intentions and green marketing of big data applications.Practical implicationsThere are significant differences in the sustainable behavior and intentions of H&T higher education students that reflect the educational differences between the East and the West. These different results may be due to a lack of natural resources and the relatively smaller size of Taiwan. With the strengthening of environmental action intention (AI) and green marketing intention (GMI), Taiwanese hospitality and management (H&M) students' sense of crisis increases, and their performance in GMI is slightly higher than that in Australia.Originality/valueThese findings indicate that it is necessary to consider students' ecological concepts, environmental knowledge, environmental value attitude and environmental action intention to improve their intentions to engage in green marketing under the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) framework. We also found that environmental knowledge has a mediating effect on the relationship between ecological concepts and environmental value attitude.

Learning English Conversational skills with collaborative learning: A case in a Taiwanese University

Taiwanese students begin learning English in primary school, but most of them are not able to fluently communicate in English. The present study employs a collaborative learning activity in an experiment to investigate its influence on 106 Taiwanese non-English major freshmen’s learning situation for English speaking and listening. Data were collected by observing students’ learning behaviours in both the experimental and control groups for a term, their pre-test and post-test scores, and a questionnaire survey. From these observations, the experimental group participants transitioned to have more active learning behaviours than the control group by the end of the term. The statistical results show that studying with collaborative learning can promote learners’ communicative competence. Furthermore, all participants gave positive feedback on the course arrangement, but the experimental group participants indicated a significantly stronger attitude towards the collaboration experience. Having more opportunities to practice speaking and listening to English, the participants received the language more favourably after learning it using collaborative learning.

Taiwanese youth’s imagination of good citizens through environmental policy controversy deliberations

What does it mean to be a good citizen when coping with sustainability challenges in politically polarized and values-conflicting contexts? This study explores Taiwanese students’ imagination of good citizens as they deliberate over a highly controversial local environmental policy. Tracing five focal students’ learning trajectories, this study unpacks how the students perceive their own and the adult stakeholders’ roles in this controversy. Results revealed students’ consistent distrust of the adult stakeholders. Nevertheless, they developed expectations of the stakeholders as they learned more about the political complexities of this issue. Students’ imaginations about good citizens include four elements: engaging in public issues, respecting different opinions, rational communication, and addressing the local’s concerns and needs. Based on the results, I argue that pluralistic values are needed for preparing citizens to cope with sustainability challenges in multicultural and pluralistic societies.

Development and exploration of news media literacy scales in Taiwan

The purpose of the study is to explore how the promotion of news media literacy positively affects media criticism as well as the control and judgment of self-behavior. Potter developed the Chinese News Media Literacy Scale (NMLS), based on his theoretical framework of media literacy cognition. Potter is an outstanding scholar in media literacy. Senior high school students in Taiwan validated the NMLS for reliability and validity. The NMLS consists of 45 questions covering four topics: intellectual skills, personal locus, media knowledge structure, and news context reading. The Chinese version of the NMLS demonstrated good reliability, considerable validity, appropriate discrimination, and an appropriate level of difficulty, making it suitable for Taiwanese students. Female respondents exhibited higher news media literacy than their male counterparts. Public senior high school students showed higher news media literacy compared to those from private schools. The time spent reading news positively correlates with improvements in news media literacy. The findings indicate that news media literacy education significantly enhances students' critical understanding of news and media literacy skills, with varying effects across different genders and types of schools. The limitation of the study is that the sample mainly comes from Taiwan, which may not fully represent other cultural contexts. The findings can guide educational policy in schools, particularly in designing and implementing news media education curricula, taking into account the differences in gender and school types. This research expands the literature on news media literacy, especially in terms of scale development and its application to a specific cultural context like Taiwan, and introduces new insights into the impact of gender and school type on media literacy.

Indonesian Students' Mental Health in Taiwan: A Comparison of School-Age Students' and Indonesian Migrant Workers' Mental Health

Spirituality and empathy significantly impact many Indonesian migrant laborers in Taiwan are experiencing mental health issues, highlighting the importance of focusing on this aspect. Non-formal education provides both migrant workers and Indonesian children in Taiwan with suitable educational opportunities. Indonesian students studying in Taiwan: their mental health is analyzed and compared in this research. The study differentiates between students of school age and adult migrant workers studying in Taiwan. Utilizing a case study approach, the research involved seven student participants. The findings indicate that school-age students exhibit good mental health. Conversely, Indonesian migrant workers who are students face numerous challenges in non-formal education. They experience higher levels of stress, struggle to adhere to the learning schedule, frequently miss classes, and consequently, do not achieve optimal learning outcomes. The study also identified some students with autism who receive a specialized curriculum to ensure equal educational opportunities (Selvaprabu et al., 2024). These autistic students appear more disciplined and achieve their learning objectives, although at a slower pace. The research suggests implementing counseling strategies to motivate Indonesian migrant workers to pursue education and achieve equal learning opportunities. Additionally, there is a need for Taiwanese students to have access to their autonomous curriculum

Predicting Learning Interest among Taiwanese Students in the Context of Big Science Issues

<p style="text-align:justify">Research shows that learning enjoyment in specific socio-scientific issues (SSI) plays an important role in predicting grade 10 students’ learning interest and learning enjoyment (i.e., genuine interest) in SSI subjects generally. However, it remains unexplored whether learning enjoyment also mediates a predictive effect of learning interest in a Big Science SSI of pressing contemporary global concern—COVID-19—on grade 12 high school students’ learning interest in SSI generally. The purpose of this study is to investigate how learning enjoyment may mediate the predictive effect of learning interest in the specific Big Science SSI of COVID-19 specifically on students’ learning interest in SSI subjects generally. Latent variable modeling using data collected from grade 12 students (N = 691) showed personal perceptions of learning enjoyment in SSI partially mediated the predictive effect of learning interest in the SSI of COVID-19 on learning interest in other Big Science SSI subjects. Implications for promoting among science educators and policy specialists the active development of students’ individual interests and involvement in other 21st century Big Science SSI challenges are forwarded. </p>

Association between untreated caries and cariogenic bacteria in adolescents in Taiwan

Background/purposeThere is a paucity of research focused on salivary bacteria analyzed through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) among adolescents. The current study determined the quantity of Streptococcus mutans (SM) and Lactobacillus (LB) in saliva obtained from Taiwanese adolescents and investigated the association between the oral bacteria and untreated dental caries. Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study recruited Taiwanese students aged 10−18. Saliva was collected using a Salivette kit and then analyzed through qPCR. The relative quantification values of SM and LB were coded based on mean fold ratios, with values > 2 coded as high and other values coded as low. Untreated dental caries was assessed through standard oral examinations. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between the levels of bacteria in the saliva of the study participants and the presence of untreated caries. ResultsThe study involved 421 adolescents. 56 (13.3%) had both SM and LB values of >2 and were coded as having high levels of bacteria, whereas the other 365 (86.7%) students were coded as having low levels. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that adolescents who had high combined salivary SM and LB levels had an odds ratio of having untreated dental caries of 2.05 (95% CI = 1.09, 3.86, P = 0.027) compared with those who had low salivary SM and LB levels. ConclusionThe results of the present study indicate that salivary SM and LB levels are significantly associated with adolescents having untreated caries.

Predicting Students’ Genuine Learning Interest in Socio-Scientific Issues within an Engaged Learning Context

This study investigated the predictive effect of 11th grade Taiwanese students’ ( N = 878) self-assessed critical thinking, group participation self-efficacy, and active learning on their genuine learning interest (GLI) in socio-scientific issues (SSI). Results showed that active learning had a direct effect on GLI, while critical thinking and group participation self-efficacy had indirect effects on GLI as mediated by active learning. Critical thinking showed a significant direct effect on active learning, and a significant indirect effect on active learning that was mediated by group participation self-efficacy.

Options Outside Unification through Military Force

As there is no academic consensus on the effectiveness of the cross-strait integration policy, the panel study approach was adopted to present an empirical analysis. A scale to measure willingness for cross-strait integration was created based on the theory of ethnic group assimilation. Four hypotheses were derived from the social contact, social identity, and rational choice theories. The results show that cross-strait integration policy is effective. The Taiwanese students’ willingness for cross-strait integration had increased significantly after visiting Mainland China. Following their visit to the mainland, if the Taiwanese students had a better impression of China, lower perceived hostility, higher evaluation of the Chinese employment market, and weaker stand on Taiwanese independence, their willingness for cross-strait integration was considered to have increased. This study makes an academic contribution by presenting an accurate evaluation of the effects of the CPC’s Taiwan policy.

A Longitudinal Study of Theory Planned Behavior Application in Students’ Cheating Behavior

<p>本研究旨在以Beck與Ajzen（1991）納入道德義務因素的計畫行為理論來探討臺灣學生的作弊現況，並建構計畫行為理論的作弊結構模式並以兩波資料追蹤縱貫效果。採問卷調查法，以臺灣公立國高中生為研究母群，抽樣1,168位國高中學生，以結構方程模式進行考驗。研究結果顯示：（一）本研究建立計畫行為理論之作弊結構模式適配度佳。（二）態度、知覺行為控制、道德義務可以顯著預測作弊意圖，且能透過作弊意圖間接預測作弊行為；作弊意圖也能夠顯著預測當前的作弊行為。（三）計畫行為理論之作弊結構模式具有縱貫效果，當前作弊意圖可以顯著預測未來的作弊行為。最後，依據研究結果對教育現場與未來研究提出相關建議。</p> <p> </p><p>According to the theory of planned behavior with moral obligation proposed by Beck and Ajzen (1991), the purpose of this study was to explore the current situation of cheating, to construct the structural model of cheating, and to establish a longitudinal effect model of cheating in two waves data of Taiwanese students. Population were public junior and senior high school students in Taiwan and participants were 1,168 students. Utilizing the structural equation modeling, the results were as follows. First, the structural model of cheating indicated a reasonable goodness-of-fit. Second, attitude, perceived behavioral control and moral obligation can significantly predict cheating intention directly and can significantly predict cheating behavior indirectly through cheating intention; cheating intention can also significantly predict cheating behavior directly. Third, the theory of planned behavior structural model of cheating had longitudinal effects; the current cheating intention can significantly predict cheating behavior in the future. The suggestions of the findings were made for educational authorities, and future researchers.</p> <p> </p>

Use of social media by LIS students in Kuwait and Taiwan: A comparative analysis

Over the years, social media (SM) has gained much credibility among students, and educational institutions are leveraging it in their systems. From the educational standpoint, SM influences students to learn course information, contact peers and develop new skills. The study aims to identify the students’ use of SM to access information related to the Library and Information Science (LIS) programmes in Kuwait and Taiwan, including time spent, tools used, reasons and patterns of use, and to indicate the challenges faced in providing means of LIS learning and collaboration. In total, 288 valid questionnaires were received from students in both countries. Descriptive analysis from the respondents revealed data on the participants’ demography. The thematic analysis showed the results of the SM platforms’ usage, hours spent, and messaging frequency. The ordinal scale provided further data on SM use in LIS education. Results from those who responded show frequent use, high GPAs, and social and entertainment purposes. Both countries respondents show similar usage and attitudes towards SM in LIS education, exchanging collaborative learning and integrating creativity and innovation. Taiwan respondents have a higher female student population, while Kuwait has a balanced gender distribution. Taiwanese students spend less time on social media (SM) daily for LIS information and prefer different platforms. Kuwaiti student respondents dedicate more time to SM and positively perceive its potential to improve grades.

TEACHING ENGLISH USING ICE BREAKING TO TAIWANESE STUDENTS: EFL TEACHER’S EXPERIENCES

This research examined the challenge, strategy, advantages, and disadvantage of using icebreakers when learning English among Taiwanese students. This research used narrative inquiry as its research design. Data collection was done through interviews conducted with an EFL teacher who was completing a doctoral program in Taiwan. Data analysis included identifying key themes from interview data. The research results stated that the use of ice breaking has challenges, strategies, advantages, and disadvantages when learning in class. The challenge was that students felt bored when the teacher used the same type of icebreaker over and over again. The strategy was to use technology-based icebreakers. The advantage was that it could improve a conducive learning environment. The disadvantage was that teachers had to have various types of icebreakers. This research underlines the complexities of employing icebreakers in English language instruction, as well as the significance of continued efforts, teacher flexibility, and creative variation to accommodate students' particular needs. In conclusion, a balanced and thoughtful approach to using icebreakers is critical to fostering a successful enjoyable classroom for Taiwanese students

Investigating English textbooks used in Taiwanese senior high schools from an ELF perspective

English textbooks are the major learning resources for Taiwanese students to gain access to the target language. This study examines the English textbooks used in senior high schools (Grade 10 to Grade 12) in Taiwan from the perspective of English as a lingua franca (ELF). To prepare students to use English for international communication, it is worthwhile to examine how English textbooks incorporate an ELF orientation. Through textbook analysis, I investigated the following questions: (1) how the English textbooks used in senior high schools in Taiwan integrate an ELF perspective, and (2) how ELF attributes are manifested in the textbooks through various subject matter, exercises, and activities. The study finds that the examined textbooks partially incorporated an ELF orientation, and the ELF attributes were manifested to different extents. The main ELF attributes in the textbooks were helping learners understand the use of ELF and encouraging English use in relation to learners’ experiences and localities. Additionally, the study reveals that the ELF attributes were displayed in various types of activities and exercises, while the subject matter of the textbook units covered a wide range of topics. In light of the findings, I make suggestions for the development of ELF-oriented textbooks at the senior high school level, such as helping English learners to understand the use of ELF by introducing English varieties, encouraging the use of intercultural communication strategies, taking into account of learners’ experience in learning English, and promoting learners’ awareness of ELF.

Heritage identity and Indigenous language learning motivation: A case of Indigenous Taiwanese high school students

AbstractThis study responds to calls to reexamine the L2 motivational self system framework in order to understand motivations to learn languages other than English. Specifically, we explore Indigenous Taiwanese students’ heritage language learning motivation from a possible selves perspective. Following work on the rooted L2 self, the construct of the Indigenous heritage self is incorporated to capture the passion and conviction that motivates learners to maintain language use and revitalize cultural legacies. A nationwide questionnaire survey was administered to 293 indigenous Taiwanese high school students (aged 15–18). Exploratory factor analysis points to the need to include the Indigenous heritage self in an account of the motivation to learn endangered Indigenous languages. The composite elements of the Indigenous heritage self consist of goals focused on preserving the Indigenous language and cultures, as well as an emotional attachment to the heritage culture. Furthermore, multiple regression results show that learners’ Indigenous heritage self and ideal future self are significant contributors to motivational intensity and classroom engagement. Findings indicate that community‐based motivation is equally important as individual learners’ idealized future images in motivating Indigenous language learning. The article concludes by suggesting curriculum initiatives that incorporate motivational strategy instruction aimed at developing an ideal self for speaking the Indigenous language, bridging classroom content and the cultural immersive experiences that students have outside formal environments.

An exploration of Taiwanese multilingual students’ linguistic identities

Language is a fundamental tool that people use to express and communicate their sense of self to a wider social world. An individual's identity is understood as being fluid, unfixed and multifaceted. Therefore, how an individual presents their identity through the use of languages in one's linguistic repertoire is a complex and dynamic process. This present study explored the linguistic repertoire and linguistic identities of Taiwanese multilingual students, ranging in age from 11 to 17, through the use of a Language Portrait Silhouette. The analysis focused on the qualitative data and sought to understand how individuals represent their rapport with their languages through the choice of color, the mapping location of a language on the silhouette and written narratives. Results revealed that Taiwanese students’ identities are evolving as their linguistic repertoire is expanding. That is to indicate that Taiwanese multilingual students’ linguistic identities are flexible and constantly changing.

Prevalence of Congenital Color Vision Deficiency in Southern Taiwan and Detection of Female Carriers by Visual Pigment Gene Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of color vision deficiencies (CVDs) and determine whether carriers could be detected by analyzing the visual pigment genes. Materials and Methods: The data of students who underwent routine CVD screening using the Ishihara color test in Kaohsiung, Southern Taiwan were analyzed. Furthermore, the DNA samples of 80 randomly selected females and four obligate carriers were analyzed. The most upstream genes, downstream genes, and the most downstream genes in the red/green pigment gene arrays were amplified separately using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and exon 5 of each gene was analyzed. The prevalence of congenital red-green CVD in this study was 3.46% in males and 0.14% in females. The PCR analysis of the first gene, downstream gene, and last gene revealed normal patterns in 73 normal cases. Seven unusual patterns were detected in two proton carriers and five deutan carriers. Among the randomly selected females, 8.8% (7/80) were CVD carriers. The prevalence of CVD among male Taiwanese students in this study was 3.46%. Female carriers of congenital CVD can be identified by molecular analysis of the visual pigment genes. The proportion of CVD carriers among the randomly selected females was 8.8%, which was slightly higher than expected and further studies are warranted.

Sojourning in non-Anglophone Europe: a qualitative study of Taiwanese students’ English language identities

ABSTRACT This article reports on a qualitative study of changes in the English language identities of thirteen Taiwanese exchange students attending non-Anglophone European universities. The study was guided by Benson et al.’s ([2013]. Second Language Identity in Narratives of Study Abroad. London: Palgrave Macmillan) framework for understanding developments of second language (L2) identities in study abroad contexts. This framework posits three dimensions of development: (1) identity-related L2 proficiency, (2) linguistic self-concept, and (3) L2-related personal competence. Analyses of data from pre-, during- and post-sojourn interviews with the students revealed a pattern of change in the students’ linguistic self-concepts: from a competent English language learner before departure to an inadequate English speaker in the early stages of their journeys, and then to a confident English as a lingua franca speaker and English language learner in the later stages. These changes were found to be intertwined with the students’ developments on the other two dimensions of the framework, allowing them to form their desired L2-mediated identities. The findings highlight the need for home universities to prepare students who are planning to study abroad in multilingual and multicultural settings.

Development, testing, and application of a mathematics learning scale of self-direction.

Many countries' curriculum reforms focus on developing the next generations' competencies of self-directed learning (SDL) to address rapid social changes and sustainable environmental development. Taiwan's curriculum reform corresponds with the global trend in education. The latest curriculum reform, which proposed a 12-year basic education, was implemented in 2018 and included SDL explicitly in its guidelines. The reformed curriculum guidelines have been followed for over 3 years. Thus, it is necessary to conduct a large-scale survey to examine its impact on Taiwanese students. However, existing research instruments help provide a generalized analysis of SDL and have yet to be designed specifically for SDL of mathematics. Therefore, we developed a mathematics SDL scale (MSDLS) and examined its reliability and validity in this study. Subsequently, MSDLS was utilized to investigate Taiwanese students' SDL of mathematics. The MSDLS consists of four sub-scales with 50 items. It has acceptable reliability, validity, and measurement invariance across gender and grade groups. The MSDLS was administered online to 5,575 junior high school students, and 5,456 valid responses were collected. The findings highlight the gender and grade differences in SDL of mathematics. Male students are higher than female students in many factors. It is noted that the SDL in mathematics does not increase with grade. In sum, the MSDLS is a helpful instrument for examining secondary school students' SDL of mathematics.

Enhancing College Students’ Intercultural Competence through International Electronic-Service-Learning

International Electronic-Service-Learning (eSL) is regarded as a pedagogical innovation, yet very few research studies focus on it. During COVID-19, seventeen Taiwanese student volunteers joined an international e-service-learning program, taking turns teaching English online for one semester to one year to primary school students in a remote village in Cambodia. This study employed a qualitative case study research design. It analyzed how an eSL program impacted Taiwanese students regarding intercultural communicative competence development. Research data included in-depth interviews, student reflection journals, bi-weekly meeting minutes, voice recordings of final presentations, and teacher’s field journals. Byram’s intercultural communicative competence framework was adopted to code the data and establish learning outcomes. Results found that the college student-volunteers enhanced their intercultural competence; this ranged from understanding real-life situations in Cambodia to empathizing with others, making cultural comparisons, and developing better interaction and communication. Most importantly, it showed that it had the potential to transform the student volunteers into intercultural citizens who began to question the taken-for-granted convention in their own life experiences critically. They became more willing to take responsibility for their own lives and those of the global community.