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Letter: Taiwan is a great place

Having read Scott Austin's question, "why should they take Taiwan seriously?" (Letter, June 25, page 8), I, being a native Taiwanese who loves my country and would never leave it, have to say something.

First, I admit that what Austin said, "in a country whose very behavior and outlook on life and business explain in simplest terms why the rest of the world doesn't take Taiwan seriously" is partially true.

However, while there are some who don't care for and are disgusted with their country, there are even more who are dedicated to safeguarding this paradise and its people. During the Jun. 12-18 flooding in central and southern Taiwan, the Tzu Chi Buddhist Compassionate Relief Foundation as well as police officers and firefighters tried their best to help victims in the disaster areas. The Tzu Chi foundation also spreads its love wherever disasters and calamities strike, worldwide. Besides this, I would like to tell Austin there are still many unsung heroes and touching stories about people's love for their hometowns. Taiwan, in my opinion, is still the best place in the world to live.

As to upgrading English proficiency, I also agree with Geoffrey Cartridge's assertion that, "Students need to be immersed in English language and culture to learn it effectively" -- that's what the Toastmasters clubs in Taiwan are for. Of the 92 Toastmasters clubs island-wide, two-thirds are English-speaking clubs (including one in Hsinchu and one in Hualien, let alone Taipei). During each meeting, we speak only English from the beginning to the end. We have such programs as a joke section, a prepared speech section, an evaluation section and a Table Topic (an impromptu speech). Toastmasters makes immersion in English language and culture possible. Besides, it is fun and encouraging, too. Members share their life experiences and are encouraged to make mistakes. We all learn by doing.

However, in Toastmasters, English is nothing more than a tool for communication, we don't ask members to speak neutrally accented English; so long as everyone can understand, it is OK.

To be frank, I never agree that English should be taught as a subject; instead it should be taught as a language. I spent a lot of time explaining to my kids why it is important to speak English (I still do) before I taught them English, instead of forcing them to learn English without any reason.

Last but not least, there's always room for improvement, no matter if it is English teaching or learning, Toastmasters promotions or whatever is happening in Taiwan. But I always look on the bright side.

So I also would say "good luck" -- sincerely -- to Austin, no matter where he will go.

Bruce Yang

Changhua
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