World Vision Taiwan announced yesterday the beginning of its collaboration with Studio Classroom to bring English into disadvantaged communities.
The two organizations are looking for volunteers to undergo teacher training before heading to World Vision centers throughout the nation to teach English.
"We hope to open a window to the world for disadvantaged children through this collaboration with Studio Classroom," said Hank Du (
"English is becoming more and more important and all parents hope for English-learning opportunities for their children. However, many children in Aboriginal and low-income districts do not have the ability to participate in bilingual education or bushiban [cram school] programs," Du said.
He said that this inability puts these children at a disadvantage with their wealthier peers, many of whom have already been learning English for years, when encountering English for the first time in elementary school.
The Ministry of Education incorporates English into primary school curriculums from third grade onwards.
Both groups emphasized the goodwill behind the project.
"We hope that we will spread love as well as English education," said Simon Hung (
The organizations asked anyone interested in child education and with English-language ability to apply.
Both groups encourage members of the expatriate community to participate if they have the time and inclination.
"We would help accommodate foreign teachers if they want to volunteer with us, in all areas, from teaching to [learning the Chinese] language," said Irene Chou (
Teacher training will be conducted on May 1 and May 2 in Taipei, after which volunteers will be sent to their local World Vision center to begin teaching. Volunteer teachers will be teaching elementary school students in one of 43 locations with materials provided by Studio Classroom.
For more information about how to participate or donate to this program, call 02-2585-6300 or go to www.worldvision.org.tw.
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