Core Value of ETA and ETF Program
The English Language Teaching Programs place ETAs and ETFs in elementary and junior high school classrooms in Taiwan to provide support to local English teachers. ETAs and ETFs help teach English language while serving as U.S. cultural ambassadors. ETAs and ETFs collaborate with local Taiwanese teachers to create an English-friendly environment and are encouraged to share their cultures with students.
Teaching Methods
Co-teaching
Most ETAs/ETFs are placed in teaching environments that involve working closely with a certified local English teacher (LET). This style of instruction, known as co-teaching, allows for greater flexibility and a higher level of engagement compared to classrooms managed by only one teacher.
Effective co-teaching requires communication and mutual understanding between ETAs/ETFs and LETs. The video to the left, created by former ETAs/ETFs and local LETs, demonstrates and explores different co-teaching models.
Each model of co-teaching requires specified roles and responsibilities. This may involve both the ETAs/ETFs and LET being equals in the classroom; it may involve the two teachers adopting distinct but complementary roles; or it may involve the LET and ETAs/ETFs taking turns assisting one another. The co-teaching model used may depend on the teachers' personalities, comfort zone, and the culture at the school, and the model may shift throughout the school year.
Teaching Techniques
With support from their LETs, ETAs/ETFs use various techniques to engage their students in the classroom, as demonstrated in the following videos:
Lesson Planning
With guidance from American and Taiwanese TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) advisors, ETAs/ETFs prepare comprehensive lesson plans for their classes.
Professional Development
Fulbright's TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) advisors and local professors regularly conduct site visits and provide teaching workshops to support ETAs/ETFs across Taiwan. ETAs/ETFs are expected to submit monthly teaching reports, which the advisors review and provide feedback on. For more details, please refer to the following:
Teaching Resources
In addition to providing on-site training through workshops and student teaching observations, Fulbright TEFL advisors provide online support for ETAs/ETFs and LETs. This includes a collaborative resource sharing and professional development website; US Department of State instructional videos on how to teach in a foreign language context; and engaging activities for English camps, English Village, and story time.
