Too Much Of A Good Thing

This year I've been living in Taichung City and although I like being closer to foreigners and foreign food it's becoming too much of a good thing. For one thing, foreign food is more expensive so my wallet feels lighter than when I lived in Wuchi. But, perhaps, the biggest issue is that I'm missing out on the Taiwanese culture. I'm not practicing Chinese as I surround myself with foreigners and Taiwanese people who want to learn English. Also, the predominately younger foreign crowd is well, let's just say immature and running fast. In addition, the foreign crowd tends to be filled with malcontents. Yeah, they may put on a smile and act happy, especially after kicking a few back, but the stress of living in a foreign country is there in them. I don't care who you are. You are going to feel it. It's natural and I speak from personal experience. Once the group psychology gets going the manifestation of this stress can be quite strong if you are sensitive to it. I didn't really notice it until I visited some teachers in Wuchi. Most foreigners never notice it because they never leave the comfort circle of familiarity. There is something to be said for 'easing into new waters', but eventually you just have to jump in and swim. So, how does that translate into action for me? Buy a bicycle and join a cycling club. Find a Taiwanese hiking and mountaineering club. Learn Chinese and spend my free time in places where I can use it. Learn some Taiwanese songs so my time playing guitar in the park may generate some contact and maybe conversation. I'm sure I will come up with more ideas, but I'm glad that I've had this realization. I know it will make my experience in Taiwan richer and more enjoyable.

Teaching At Chun-An and Aboriginal Cultures

I'm teaching at two elementary schools this year. I teach two days at Hui-Lai and three days at Chun-An. Chun-An is a very interesting school. The demographics are more diverse than Hui-Lai. There are a lot of aboriginal (Paiwan) students that go to school at Chun-An. In fact, there is a Paiwanese teacher that teaches their language to the students. Taiwan has made some very strong efforts to support and retain their aboriginal cultures. It has not always been this way, but they recognize the value of this cultural heritage. The recognized tribal groups of Taiwan are the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Kavalan, Paiwan, Puyuma, Rukai, Saisiyat, Tao, Thoa, Tsou, Truku, Sakizaya, and the Sediq.

The school is going through some big changes right now. They have built a new school, but some classes are still being held in the old school. The old school will be torn down this year and another new wing will be built where the old school is.


This is the old school that will be torn down.

 The sixth graders playing T-ball.

 There are signs everywhere encouraging students to learn English.

 This is my classroom in the old school. I will move to the new school this year, but then I will not have my own classroom. I will have to move to each homeroom.

 This is the new wing at Chun-An. Once they tear down the old school they will build another wing where the old school is now.

Teaching At Hui-Lai

Hui-Lai is a new elementary school in Taichung city. The facilities are excellent. They have a small English Village in the school. An English Village is a great opportunity for the kids to practice their English in role-plays using props and mock situations. Hui-Lai was visited by some teachers from the UK last week who were doing research on technology in the classroom. They were very impressed with school.

This is my wonderful classroom.

This is the hallway outside of my classroom. Happy, smiling animals to greet me every morning.

This is another view of my classroom. You can see the various stations of the English Village.

My desk with the Smart Board, projector, and white board. The Smart Board is basically a large interactive screen. I can project the screen from the computer onto the Smart Board and interact with it just like I would on my computer. We have interactive textbooks that I can put on the Smart Board too. I like the Smart Board a lot, but I still use flashcards and the white board.