Retired teacher Luo Zhonghui from Hsinchu County has been honored with the Education Contribution Award for her 30 years of dedication to education and her efforts in promoting Hakka culture. Although she initially started as a physical education teacher, being a Hakka herself, she deeply understood the importance of Hakka culture. After retirement, she obtained the qualification of Hakka Heritage Instructor and has been actively involved in Hakka language education for 13 years. Luo says her wish is to help children build confidence through language learning and competitions, enabling them to not only master the Hakka language but also gain experiences that will shape a bright future.
Luo Zhonghui was born in Nanzhuang Township, Miaoli County, and moved to Hukou Township, Hsinchu County, after marriage, where she taught at Xinhu Elementary School until retirement. She expressed gratitude to the Hsinchu County Education Bureau and Xinhu Elementary School for their recommendation and to her former athletics coach, Huang Mingxiang, for their support and encouragement throughout her educational journey. Although Luo's Hakka dialect is Si-hai from Nanzhuang, and the mainstream dialect in Hsinchu County is Hailu, this did not deter her love for the Hakka language. With the help of her colleague Peng Meizhi, she learned the Hailu dialect and became a crucial partner in Hakka teaching.
The Hsinchu County Education Bureau stated that Luo Zhonghui holds certifications in basic, intermediate, and advanced Hakka. After retirement, she became an honorary local language counselor for the Hsinchu County National Education Guidance Team and actively participated in Hakka speech and situational speech training. She also assisted in compiling local language textbooks, translating Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales into the Hailu Hakka dialect, and participated in language guidance and voice acting for the "Children’s Hakka Audiobook" project. Whether serving as a judge in language competitions or participating in cultural activities, Luo has spared no effort in promoting Hakka cultural heritage, earning widespread admiration.
Nowadays, whenever the county government organizes language-related competitions, Teacher Luo also willingly serves as a judge, helping to pass on and promote the Hakka cultural spirit. (Photo / Courtesy of Hsinchu County Government)
Luo Zhonghui believes that retirement is not the end of an educational career but the beginning of a new learning journey. She has participated in various community activities, such as indigo dyeing volunteer work at Wulong Elementary School, and classes in Waidangong, dance, singing, and Taiko drumming in Hukou Township. Whether for health or personal interest, she always boldly tries new things. She found inspiration in a patchwork class and became fascinated with patchwork art, hoping to incorporate Hakka elements into her creations to promote Hakka culture and allow more people to appreciate the beauty of patchwork art.
Luo mentioned that she often takes extra time to practice with children before competitions and uses community activities as platforms for them to rehearse, helping them develop a confident stage presence. Now, she has an additional responsibility of accompanying her two adorable grandchildren as they grow. She frequently communicates with them in Hakka, teaching them Hakka nursery rhymes and stories, hoping the Hakka language will naturally integrate into their lives and they will enjoy the richness of the language and culture as they grow.
