Let the teaching begin!!
I began teaching August 31st at Tong Men Elementary School. This is the largest school in Hsinchul, located right in downtown near the East Gate. The school has around 2,500 students first grade to sixth grade. I teach all 10 of the first grade classes and 13 of the third grade classes English, each class ranging from 32 to 40 students. That makes a grand total of around 850 students I see each week. That seems ovewhelming, but if anything it's more exciting having so many kids know me and get to learn English from me. I feel priviledged to be able to have a part in this many Taiwanese students' education. I absolutely love seeing their smiling faces day after day - seeing their joy to learn English makes teaching the same lesson over and over worth it. I also get to tutor a few groups of first graders Monday and Friday afternoons, as well as a sixth grader and a third grader. I enjoy getting to know these students on a more personal level. The students in Taiwan go to school long hours, usually 7:30 or 8 am to 4 to 5pm, followed by cram schools until about 8pm. Then they start their studying and homework. These kids lead stressful lives starting at such a young age.