Boosting Bilingualism: Taiwan's Initiative to Integrate Foreign Students as Teaching Assistants

Enhancing English Proficiency and Cultural Exchange in Taiwanese Schools

In an effort to foster a bilingual learning environment in schools, Taiwan's Ministry of Education, specifically the National Education Administration, initiated the "Assisting Public Elementary and Junior High Schools in Introducing Part-Time Foreign English Teaching Assistants Program" (ELTA) starting from the 110th academic year.

This program connects schools with foreign students who possess English communication skills at or above the B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). These students serve as part-time English teaching assistants in elementary and junior high schools. Schools are encouraged to leverage these assistants to organize various engaging bilingual activities, such as English conversation corners, reading corners, clubs, talent shows, midday student broadcasts, and cross-cultural exchange programs. These activities are designed to immerse students in natural environments where they can practice their English, thereby enhancing their speaking and listening skills.

The National Education Administration highlights that the ELTA program is achieving its goals. For example, at Taipei's Renai Elementary School, foreign English teaching assistants creatively lead students in reading English picture books in the "English Little Bookworm Story House" at the school library. They also incorporate diverse activities, including traditional festivals and English game challenges, making language learning fun and engaging for students. Furthermore, at Hsinchu County's Zhongshan Elementary School, foreign English teaching assistants share insights into the lifestyles of students from their home countries and other nations, integrating seasonal events and current affairs into their lessons. They introduce related festivals and sports, such as National Day, Christmas, New Year, and the Olympics, providing students with opportunities to practice English listening and speaking while broadening their international perspectives.