Foreign teachers in Chiayi visited “Taiwan Design Expo” to learn about timber factory & story of Alishan trains

【Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】Translated by CHI CHIA I

Chiayi City English Teaching Resource Center (嘉義市英語教學資源中心) collaborates with Department of Education Chiayi City and arranged a trip for foreign teachers of elementary and junior high schools in Chiayi City. A 2-hour tour with bilingual explanations enabled foreign nationals to have a deeper understanding of local culture.

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Foreign teachers in Chiayi visited " Taiwan Design Expo". (Photo / Provided by Chiayi City Government)

The trip includes visiting a timber factory, historic prison, and the Chiayi Municipal Museum. The docent explained the story of Alishan trains in detail, and the foreign teachers explored the history of the timber factory development as well as got some hands-on experiences. Lastly, they took a group photo on the grassland of the timber factory.

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Chiayi City strongly promotes the Bilingual Nation 2030 policy. (Photo / Provided by Chiayi City Government)

Andrew, an American teacher at Wen Ya Elementary School (文雅國小), said that he had heard about Alishan in the United States, and he would like to take his wife and four children to arrange a train ride one day in the future. Teacher Nami from South Africa said that the city he lives in is not full of trees, and therefore this experience is a special one to him.

Ben, a teacher at Sing Chia English Academy, said that the all-English tour made it easier for him to understand the historical features of the building which is a very rare opportunity to him.

With the Bilingual Nation 2030 policy being strongly promoted, counties and cities are striving to invite foreign teachers and help them to adapt to the local life. With the government’s efforts, the bilingual Chiayi City and an inclusive society are taking shape.