I have lived in Taiwan for 18 years and called Tainan my home that entire time. I have been teaching here since my first day on the island. During my 18 years of teaching experience, I have learned that being outgoing and understanding goes a long way. I like my classes to be silly but controlled. My students benefit from this because they learn in an atmosphere where they can be comfortable and unafraid to participate in class.  For more than a decade, I have been pursuing my love for Brazilian Jiujitsu. I currently volunteer my time with adults and kids to help them also pursue their passion for it. Much like English teaching, being patient and understanding is crucial when teaching jiujitsu. People are different, and so is how they learn. 

我住在台灣18年了，台南一直是我的家。踏上台灣的那一刻也開啟了我的英語教學生涯。在18年的教學經歷中，我的體會是，當一位能和學生相處融洽、能理解學生的老師是很重要的。我喜歡學生在課堂上有限度的搞笑、做蠢事，這反映出，他們是在一個自在而且不懼怕上課的氣氛中學習。

我熱愛巴西柔術，接觸武術的時間有10多年了。目前，我志願協助巴西武術的同好練習武術，有成人也有兒童。在指導武術生練習時，就像幫學生上英文課一樣，需要同等重要的耐心和同理心。人人皆有不同特質，學習方式亦同，需要因材施教。

I have lived in Taiwan for nearly two decades. My stay in Taiwan, along with my close contact with the students, has given me a better understanding of Taiwanese students characters. Students here are always afraid to make mistakes. I try to encourage them by giving them the chance to express themselves and be willing to listen to them. Students like to be heard and express their feelings. Another factor I try to emphasize is the learning environment. If the students have a positive learning environment, they feel safe and they show progress. Students learn differently and for that reason, I try to treat each kid differently trying to break that bridge between teacher-student. Once we build trust, students feel safe and they try their hardest. My classes are very engaging that’s why I prefer that my students are free and silly but in a controlled manner. This will allow them to be more invested in class and class material. Learning is a journey and the students should find joy in every step of it. 

我在台灣生活了將近20年。在台灣的長時間的居住，加上與學生密切的接觸，讓我對台灣學生的性格有更深入的了解。這裡的學生總是害怕犯錯，我透過引導他們表達自己與傾聽他們的意見來鼓勵學生，他們喜歡這樣的教學方式。

另一方面，我強調營造學習環境。如果學生處在積極的學習環境中，他們會感到安全因而進步。每個學生的學習方式不同，因此，我試圖用多元的方式對待每個孩子，打破師生間的隔閡。當我們建立師生間的信任，孩子們就能感到安心並盡最大努力學習。這就是為什麼我喜歡我的學生自由發揮，這能使他們願意在課堂上投入更多心力。學習是一段旅程，我希望我的學生在其中的每一步都能找到屬於他們的快樂。

Teacher Wen

I came to Taiwan to pursue a degree and what do you know, 16 years have gone by. Oh how time flies. With a decade of teaching experience, just like any children, I disliked homework and tests. Which is why I like my classes to be more activity based, as it helps students to engage in class. I value class participation as well as mutual respect (except for cockroaches). Living in Taiwan has encouraged me to appreciate cultural similarities and differences, and as a foreign teacher, it’s not just about teaching a language or a subject, but an opportunity to broaden one’s worldview. Lastly, I love animals, the mountains and I enjoy a nice day at the beach. 

你知道嗎? 我來到台灣攻讀學位，一晃16年過去了，喔! 時間過得真快。我擁有10年的教學經驗。就像任何一個孩子一樣，我不喜歡家庭作業和考試。這就是為什麼我喜歡設計讓我的課程更多的從活動來出發，因為活動可以讓學生更願意參與課堂。我重視課堂參與與互相尊重(蟑螂除外)，生活在台灣，讓我懂得欣賞文化的相似與不同。作為一名外國教師，我認為英文不僅僅是一門語言或是學科，而是拓寬世界觀的機會。最後，我喜歡動物、享受山間和海灘的風光。

Teacher Kylie

I’ve lived in Taiwan for six years — more than five in Yunlin before moving here. I find Taiwanese culture and language fascinating and am enjoying learning Chinese (even if it’s taking me a while!).

Outside of school, I enjoy reading, drawing, gaming, dancing, and keeping up with the latest K-pop releases. Because my interests often match those of my students, our classes are lively and fun! I love working with students and helping them explore in a fun, active way. I’m excited to share this year’s learning journey with you all and hope we’ll have many happy, curious and meaningful moments together!

我已經在台灣生活六年了——在搬到台南之前，我有五年多的時間住在雲林。我覺得台灣的文化和語言非常迷人，也很享受學習中文的過程（雖然進步得有點慢！）。

在課餘時間，我喜歡閱讀、畫畫、玩遊戲、跳舞，以及關注最新的 K-pop 動態。因為我的興趣常常和學生們相似，所以課堂氣氛總是活潑又有趣！

我非常喜歡和學生們一起學習，幫助他們以有趣、主動的方式探索。我很期待和大家一起展開今年的學習旅程，也希望我們能一起度過許多開心、好奇又充滿意義的時光！