Teaching in Taichung
ETAs/ETFs in Taichung only teach in elementary schools. Most co-teaching schools are located in the city center, while some are just on the outskirts. The 12 co-schools are in different scales, 5 big schools (more than 45 classes), 3 medium schools (between 45-24 classes), and 4 small schools (24 or fewer classes). Class sizes tend to be around 26 students. Part of the students studied English after school, which might have caused the different levels of students' abilities in the class.
Most ETAs/ETFs help co-teachers in English classes; some schools arrange ETAs/ETFs to co-teach in the CLIL classes in life, music, or arts. Other school activities like storytelling, clubs, or English day of the month provide chances for ETAs/ETFs to know more students outside the classes.
English Camps
On most Tuesdays, Taichung ETAs/ETFs are made into a few teams to execute English camps around Taichung city. ETAs and ETFs plan the activities for a whole day/half-day class for the students from the host schools. The topics could be various and creative; we had seasons, habitats, flowers, and carnivals. In the spring, all Taichung ETAs will have a chance to do a 3-days remote service in the schools in Lishan (2,000 meters high), Heping district.
English Van
With the English van and a LET (local English teacher), ETAs/ETFs will travel to many schools in Taichung and host a 2-hour event. In the two hours, you might introduce the night market food in English, make pancakes or jelly sandwiches, and have many fun activities with the students.
Host Family
ETAs are not only teachers in the schools but also cultural ambassadors. The Taichung City government started pairing host families with ETAs in 2017. With hospitable family members, you will experience more of the local lifestyle. Although grantees won’t live with the host family, they can still create many cherished memories with them during weekends and holidays.
Community service
ETAs could choose the topics they are interested in to serve the local community, at the same time, it is also a good chance to get to know the local culture and people.
Photos & information from Alumni:
Ida Sobotik’s blog (2015-16 ShangShih Elementary School)
Matthew Friedland’s vlog (2015-16 Taiping Elementary School)
Matthew Baker’s vlog (2015-16 Gifeng Elementary School)
Sara Goldstein’s blog (2015-2016 Chongqing Elementary School)
Sheridan Baker’s vlog (2015-16 JyunGong Elementary School )
Abigail Gruppuso’s Instagram #maitaiwan (2016-17 ShangShih Elementary School)
Abigail Holst’s blog (2016-17 HuLuDun/FuChuen Elementary School)
Instagram #taichungetas (2019-2020 ETAs)