During the assembly, Teacher Brooks shared photos from his winter vacation.

He took a small train, enjoyed beautiful scenery, tasted delicious food, and captured many interesting moments.

Let's see if the students can use the clues in his photos to guess the places he visited during his holiday!

The "Christmas Carnival Wonderland" creates an immersive holiday atmosphere for students. Through an orienteering activity combined with bilingual settings around the campus, students must find clues and answer questions in both Chinese and English.

The Christmas-themed ORIGAMI workshop encourages students to unleash creativity, develop hands-on skills, and enhance artistic appreciation. The KARAOKE singing contest provides a platform for students to showcase their talents while improving language and performance skills.

A highlight of the event is the Christmas dessert-making session, bringing warmth and sweetness to the celebration. Together, students will craft a "2025 Wishing Christmas Tree," sharing laughter and creating lasting memories for a joyful Christmas.

Gather together, give thanks, and celebrate!

The Thanksgiving pie-making activity introduces students to the origins and meaning of Thanksgiving through bilingual teaching, providing a cultural fusion of East and West. Students will create traditional Thanksgiving pies, learn to design and write gratitude cards, and explore plating aesthetics to enhance creativity and appreciation for beauty. At the same time, this holiday offers an opportunity to express gratitude to teachers, fostering values of respect and thankfulness. Through interactive activities, students improve language skills and deepen cultural understanding.

Halloween, a festival originating from the West, began as ancient harvest celebrations and religious rituals. Today, it has become a fun-filled, modern international holiday. "Trick or treat!" is the most familiar English phrase and eagerly awaited activity for students in October. This time, instead of tricking or treating, we made festive desserts and treats under the guidance of foreign teachers, enjoying the Western holiday atmosphere through English explanations. All teachers and students are welcome to join us in celebrating Halloween, a moment filled with creativity, surprises, and joy! 

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Culinary Club collaborated with foreign teachers and international students to make mooncakes. The foreign teachers worked with the club president to translate the recipe into a bilingual version. This activity not only helped the international participants learn more about the traditional festival and enjoy delicious mooncakes, but also allowed students to practice introducing Mid-Autumn Festival culture, mooncake ingredients, and the preparation process in English. While waiting for the mooncakes to bake, the foreign teachers led fun and engaging English activities, making the experience both interactive and educational.

During break time, it's brain-teasing fun! Sometimes it's English riddles created by foreign teachers, logic-based math puzzles, Millionaire quiz, spot-the-difference challenges, or Hangman Game.... Teachers and students passing by often can’t resist stopping to check out the day’s games and solve a few before moving on. 

Every Wednesday at noon in May, Mr. Zachary acts as the DJ, playing a song he recommends during lunchtime. He shares the reason for his recommendation or a related story. Students are also encouraged to request songs, eagerly participating and looking forward to hearing their requests played. 

Ms. 張雅茹 led Class 202, with bilingual guides Yu Shan Tseng and Yun An Chen, to tour Tamsui alongside students and teachers from Weston Middle School in the U.S. They introduced the history, scenery, and cuisine of Tamsui, fostering cultural exchange. 

The Big English Game !

At the beginning of the school year, we held ‘The Big English Game competition’, which can let students warm up bodies, exercise minds, and play games in English for Grade 7. We invited seniors from the High School 202 Bilingual Class to support the event, serving as hosts and the group counselors to guide Grade 7 students through three challenges: 1. Trivia time! 2. Guess what Zachary would do! 3. Name a word that. In the end, two classes tied for the highest score, leading to an intense PK match!!! How exciting!

Solving Lantern Riddles

How do you describe your winter vacation in English? Let's hear it from Teacher Zachary. Teacher Zachary had an incredibly enriching winter vacation, visiting the Philippines, California, Chicago, New York...and so on. After that, we celebrated the Lantern Festival with him by solving lantern riddles together. “What do you call a bee from America?” “Can you guess the answer?” There were so many interesting and funny questions... Students who correctly guessed the English riddles can draw a small red envelope. Students who won the lucky draw can have a warm bowl of tangyuan (sweet rice balls) on the eve of the Lantern Festival at noon. How delightful!

Guess the Couplets Activity

This activity takes place from January 23rd (Tuesday) to January 26th (Friday) in the second semester. Foreign teachers, the principal, and teachers write couplets together for students to guess which one was written by the foreign teacher. Students who guess correctly will participate in a raffle on Friday, January 26th. At noon on Friday, the principal announced the correct answers and personally conducted the raffle, creating an English-speaking environment throughout the entire process.

Junior high students in grades 7-9 participate freely. The Research and Development section decorates the windows as an advent calendar, counting down to Christmas. Using bingo cards, from December 1st to the 21st, each day, Teacher Zachary opens a sentence. Students match words on the bingo card, and upon completing a line, they visit the office to wish the teacher "Merry Christmas" for a small reward. Lucky students who complete five lines can join the  Christmas Party at noon on Christmas Day. They enjoy a Christmas feast with the principal and teachers. High school students act as older siblings, assisting junior high students in making their own badges.

"Friendship is like sharing one umbrella, keeping both of us dry in the rain." Today's cultural exploration in Ms. Linda Wu's (吳啟鈴) class revolves around oil-paper umbrellas — time for Bilingual Class 202 and the exchange students from schools in Taipei to bond together! Why paint on the oil-paper umbrellas? In the Hakka language, the word for "oil" resembles "have," and "paper" is akin to "son." Thus, gifting an oil-paper umbrella as part of a dowry symbolizes the wish for the recipient to bear a son soon. With this cultural insight, students begin to perceive the umbrellas through a different lens.

In the latter part of the class, Bilingual Class 202 and exchange students pick up watercolor paintbrushes to adorn their oil-paper umbrellas with their favorite cartoon characters, ancient architectures, animals, and other cultural symbols representing their countries. Through this activity, the oil-paper umbrellas serve as a medium for fostering friendship, connecting Bilingual Class 202 and exchange students, and facilitating a more enriched cultural exchange.

In the course of Inquiry and Practices in Natural Science, Physics teacher Ms. Tian (田芷綾) guided students in conducting experiments on Hooke's Law. She directed students on how to record the experimental process and ultimately had them present their findings in the form of posters. On that day, the principal, secretary, head teacher, and other teachers were present to listen to the students' achievements.

During the five-day Halloween checkpoint event, students use their break time to go to various offices in the school to solve Halloween-themed stories with missing words. After completing the task card, they read the complete story to Teacher Zachary, and a raffle is held on Halloween day.

In Ms. Linda Wu's (吳啟鈴) cultural class today, Bilingual Class 105 and exchange students from schools in Taipei embark on a captivating journey to ancient China. The class commences with a captivating overview of well-known ancient Chinese architectural types, followed by a multimedia exploration of the comparison and contrast between Chinese and Western architectures—essentially delving into each other's cultures. Also, a hands-on activity involves crafting replicas of Zuiweng Pavilion, Jiangnan Water Town, and Kaiyuan Temple. This immersive experience not only fosters collaboration but also facilitates a deep understanding of the fundamental structures of architecture and cultures from millennia ago for the students. As the 3D wooden jigsaw pieces come together, students gain valuable insight into the methods and cultures behind the construction of ancient Chinese architecture. The distinctive features of these ancient structures include curved roofs, intricate wooden carvings, a raised platform structure, and pagoda-style designs. In the end, this hands-on exploration serves as a bridge, nurturing connections among Bilingual Class 105 and exchange students, instilling a deeper appreciation for the wisdom passed down by their predecessors.

A unique opportunity unfolds as students from Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) join their 20 Australian buddies from Margaret River Senior High School for a synchronized international exchange. In Ms. Grace and Mr. Kevin's 10th-grade self-regulated learning class, 15 ZLSH students, including two exchange students, adeptly leverage cutting-edge technology such as the auto-tracking camera, smart display, and pre-prepared slides to introduce themselves online. In the Hybrid Teaching Classroom, students casually share insights into their funny stories about their campus life and serious topics like dreams with Australian students.

The lesson then transitions to delve into the historical backgrounds and industries nurtured by the two significant rivers: Dadaocheng Wharf in Taiwan and Margaret River in Australia. These rivers have played pivotal roles in shaping Taiwanese and Australian civilizations. Following this cultural exchange session, it's time to unbox a cultural box filled with delectable foods and heartfelt cards prepared by the students from Margaret River Senior High School. In return, they also receive a cultural box from ZLSH students. The cultural box undoubtedly steals the spotlight during today’s exchange activity, contributing a delightful and personal dimension to the cross-cultural connection.

Today, after 27-hour flights, 5 students and 2 teachers from City College Plymouth flew from the U.K to take part in this cultural exchange event at Zhong Lun High School (ZLSH). The day kicked off with mesmerizing musical performances of four class 209 students. Excitement filled the air as class 209 and the conversation club prepared a range of enjoyable card games, including classics like Old Maid, SlapJack, and even a lively round of Charades featuring popular movie characters. While the school's international education center provided refreshing pearl milk tea, different groups also introduced their British counterparts to the flavors of Taiwanese culture, including the delightful savory beef-flavored instant noodles. In the afternoon, ZLSH students took City College Plymouth students on a tour of the school library and Huashan Creative Park. This event serves as a bridge for Taiwanese and British students to embrace diverse cultures, empowering them to become true global citizens. 

The frenshmen at our school actively participated in the final annual presentation of the school-based required course, Global Citizens @ Zhonglun. The primary objective of this course is to acquaint students with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) issues and equip them with valuable information technology skills. Throughout the course, students were expected to collaborate in groups and complete a SDGs-based project. The final presentation served as an integral component of the course, designed to foster a sense of global citizenship among the students.

The presentation itself was divided into two sessions, each offering unique opportunities for students to showcase their work and engage with their peers. In the first session, a total of 10 student groups presented their projects to all the freshmen. Each group was allocated a designated time slot of 4 minutes, allowing them to effectively convey their understanding of the course material and effectively communicate their ideas. This session not only highlighted the knowledge acquired by the students but also their ability to present information in a concise and compelling manner.

Following the individual presentations, the second session commenced, focusing on the poster presentations. Before the event, students were organized into groups and tasked with creating posters regarding core concepts of the course. During this session, each group showcased their posters, and both teachers and students were encouraged to move around and participate in the presentations. This interactive format fostered discussions and facilitated the sharing of knowledge among all participants.

The combined experience of these presentations and group projects provided students with valuable insights into global challenges and nurtured essential skills such as teamwork and presentation proficiency. The annual presentation acted as a platform for students to exhibit their comprehensive understanding of SDGs and their adeptness in utilizing information technology to effectively address these crucial issues.

Overall, the final annual presentation served as a testament to the growth and development of the students as global citizens equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a positive difference in the world. 

Our school's Participatory Budgeting team has achieved a remarkable feat by advancing to the final round of the competition, surpassing more than twenty other teams. On June 4, our dedicated team, comprising seven members, competed against three other schools and proudly secured the third-place position. This prestigious competition, organized by the city government, held immense significance, as even the mayor himself acted as one of the judges during the final event.

This exciting opportunity allows students to propose how a portion of the municipal budget should be allocated. Our students presented a compelling proposal aimed at improving the road conditions in the neighborhood surrounding Zhonglun High School (ZLSH). Their innovative idea centers around the creation of a dedicated website that offers real-time updates on road conditions. By allowing individuals to upload photos of areas with poor road conditions, this platform would expedite action from the city government. Upon receiving these visual cues, the government could swiftly dispatch teams to address the issues and ensure timely repairs.

Our students' proposals effectively address critical community needs and exemplify their unwavering commitment to fostering positive change.

As the end of the academic year approaches, seniors at Zhong-Lun High School are working tirelessly to perfect their application documents and academic portfolios in the hopes of being accepted into the college of their dreams. To help them prepare for the competitive college admissions process, the school's Counseling Office organized mock interviews in both Chinese and English.

An English interview strategy workshop lectured by Jeffrey Young, an American teacher at ZLSH, was held a week before the mock interview. On April 24th, right after practicing answering potential interview questions with their peers, six seniors participated in one-on-one 8-minute mock interviews with Jeffrey. Although some students were understandably nervous during their interviews, they remained composed and confidently conveyed their motivation and ambition to Jeffrey, demonstrating their suitability for the college program. This workshop greatly enhanced the students' competitiveness as candidates for their desired college programs.

Are you ready to embark on a journey through time, where trains in Taiwan were meticulously repaired and components changed? In March, a cultural exchange event organized by Ms. Kiwi Lin (林詩怡) and Ms. Mia Lin (林子馨) took place at the Taipei Railway Workshop (TRW), currently known as the Preparatory Office of National Railway Museum. The event consisted of a tour that aimed to provide students with a glimpse into the workshop's history and operations. As a warm-up, students were presented with some intriguing questions on the interactive learning platform Kahoot, one of which was "What does the letter 'T' in the car type '50 EP 105T' stand for?" The answer, "toilet," was an eye-opening revelation for the class.

Despite TRW being under construction, students were fully immersed in the rich history of the Assembly Plant, Diesel Engine Plant, Passenger Car Plant, Forge Plant, Car Transporter, and Open-air Crane. The students were thrilled to ride the old Tze-chiang limited express and hear the announcement broadcast, taking them back many years. The tour also featured neat dining areas and a delectable railway lunch box that left a lasting impression on the students. Overall, the students had a memorable experience at the TRW, and the event successfully sparked their interest in the history and operations of the Taiwan railway system.

An exciting cross-cultural exchange event was organized in February, which commenced with a cultural lesson about the Lantern Festival this time. The festival was introduced to the bilingual class 105 and 15 exchange students through a captivating video presentation by a Zhong-Lun High School Chinese teacher, Ms. Linda Wu (吳啟鈴). 

After the video, students enthusiastically engaged in a DIY activity to create their unique wooden lanterns. The lanterns are a sight to behold, as they beautifully displayed the students' cultural backgrounds, preferences, and personalities. Some students showcased their national pride by painting their national flags, while others creatively sketched their preferred online images. The lanterns served as a medium for Taiwanese students and exchange students to communicate through language and imagery, further intertwining their diverse cultures. This event truly embodies the essence of cross-cultural exchange and promotes cultural diversity and understanding among the students.

ViewSonic provided Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) teachers with a guided tour. The tour started with a quick overview of ViewSonic's latest high-tech computer monitors, projectors, interactive displays, and other cutting-edge visual technology products.

Following this, the company presented their innovative interactive Metaverse software to the ZLSH teachers, showcasing how it could be utilized for bilingual teaching. For instance, Metaverse allows students to sit virtually in a chair and focus on the teacher's PowerPoint slides.The teachers can also interact with their students via Metaverse, asking them to turn on their camera and microphone to answer questions. Students can even customize their avatars and interact with their classmates' avatars in this virtual world.

ViewSonic also demonstrated how their software could be applied to teaching not only English but also math and science classes. This guided tour offered by ViewSonic provided ZLSH teachers with a valuable opportunity to explore and learn about the latest visual technology products and how they can be applied in bilingual teaching.

Mr. Wesley Xi (奚永慧), a retired professor from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature at National Taiwan University, recently spoke to bilingual teachers at Zhong Lun High School (ZLSH) about the importance of English pronunciation for effective international exchange. During his presentation, Mr. Xi emphasized that clear and accurate pronunciation is essential for successful communication in English.

To help the teachers improve their pronunciation skills, Mr. Xi introduced two effective methods: the Echo Method and Shadowing. He also stressed the importance of clarity over speed, noting that fluency is meaningless if the message is not conveyed properly. Additionally, Mr. Xi explained that English is a stress-timed language, meaning that the pronunciation of words can vary depending on the intended meaning.

Finally, Mr. Xi emphasized the significance of choosing the right words to ensure that communication is received and understood effectively. Selecting the appropriate vocabulary also helps set the tone for the conversation or presentation. Mr. Xi's sharing provided valuable insights and practical tips for improving English pronunciation skills. 

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015, serve as a blueprint for society to achieve all 17 SDGs by 2030. Ms. Judy Wu (吳芳蕙), an English teacher at New Taipei Municipal Jiangcui Junior High School, was invited to Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) to share her experience about teaching SDGs to middle school students in a bilingual setting. 

In a classroom, the SDGs can take many different forms. Ms. Wu frequently uses engaging personality tests, captivating storybooks, practical real-life cases as well as interactive hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-on group activities to help students better understand the SDGs. This professional development allows ZLSH teachers to see the SDGs through different lenses.

Ms. Sally Chen (陳昭勛), a health education teacher at Taipei Municipal Mu Zha Junior High School, was invited to speak with Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) bilingual teachers about her experience of teaching health education bilingually. Ms. Chen stated that she frequently uses total physical response (TPR) in classroom activities and even pop quizzes, as well as a unique point system, to keep students engaged during class. The importance of grading rubrics was also emphasized. 

This professional development assists teachers in developing relevant, tailored bilingual course instructions for students. 

“This was probably my first time to discuss with Taiwanese students, make group’s decisions, and develop policies tog. We really enjoy this type of interactive cultural exchange lesson,” Dorleta, a Spanish exchange student, wrote in the post-event survey. Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) Bilingual Class 105 and 14 exchange students from other high schools in Taipei took part in the 2022 Taipei International Cross-cultural Exchange event held in Zhong-Lun High School. Ms. Kiwi Lin (林詩怡), a ZLSH earth science teacher, collaborated with Mr. Jeffrey Young, a ZLSH American teacher, and Ms. Mia Lin (林子馨), a ZLSH bilingual administrative assistant and English teacher, to create this lesson. The event began with a bingo icebreaker, which quickly warmed up the conversation between exchange students and students from class 105. 

Each group of students managed a fishing company to compete with other companies, implementing their own strategies to maximize their net worth in the main activity- Fishbanks. The group with the most total assets at the end of the game, including money in the bank and value of their ships, would be the winner. 

This Fishbanks activity is also linked to SDG 14-Life Below Water. “If this lesson had been extended by 15 minutes, students could have witnessed the depletion of fishery resources. If there were no fish left, each group's assets could have suffered greatly. Students could have gotten a lot more out of that experience," Kiwi said.

To increase English language proficiency, Taipei Municipal Zhong-Lun High School is offering workshops to junior high and senior high school bilingual teachers once every two weeks. The instructor for these workshops is an American teacher, Mr. Jeffrey Young. The professional development series cover a wide range of topics, including travel, sports, fitness, finance, the environment, etc. 

On top of those workshops helping bilingual teachers to expand their vocabulary, some fun and interactive classroom activities such as GuessUp and Icebreaker also help teachers develop their English communication skills.

Conversation club is held in the 8th period every Thursday, facilitated by an American teacher, Mr. Jeffrey Young. It is a volunteer, extra-curricular class comprised of students ranging from 8th-12th grade. In this class, students are encouraged to learn, evaluate and implement a firm understanding of English competency while exploring various media topics that encourage and demonstrate their knowledge and understanding through project-based output.The topics are all based on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to enable students to gain a better understanding of the challenges of their own lives as well as learn what is happening in the world.

2022 Taipei Education Expo was held from August 17-20, 2022 in Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center. Holistic and Competency-Based Education, Creative and Experimental Education, International and Bilingual Education, along with Information and Smart Education were the themes of this year’s expo. Zhong-Lun High School (ZLSH) took part in the International and Bilingual Education theme. The bilingual class was first established at ZLSH in August, 2022. This event was an excellent opportunity for prospective students seeking to learn more about the ZLSH bilingual class.