3E. Protecting Wildlife

His Life: Introduction of Teacher David Temple

Questions Directed at Teacher David Temple, Personally

1. You have taught many immigrants in your job as a teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Where have most of your students come from? What were the main differences among them?
Response: In almost forty years of teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) I have met thousands of youngsters from all over the world. Of course, all of the students I have taught in Taiwan for twelve years have been speakers of Chinese. I have not yet had the pleasure of teaching aboriginal students. Over all, students in Taiwan have shown more respect than students I have taught in America; perhaps it is your Confucian upbringing and respect for teachers that makes this so. In New York City,where I taught at two high schools and a junior high school for twenty-five years, the students came mostly from the Caribbean Islands, South and Central America, Eastern Europe (Russia, Albania and Azerbaijan)  and Southern China; mostly Fujian and Guangzhou, but also from Vietnam and Cambodia. The last ten years saw a great influx of students from Bangladesh and Pakistan. Most ESL students were well-behaved when they first immigrated to the U.S. but they were quickly influenced by "homegrown" kids; kids born in the U.S. who were generally naughtier and less interested in educating themselves; there was a lot of peer pressure to be "cool" and many immigrant students dropped out of school, some of them to get jobs to help out their poor immigrant families. 

What is the difference between teaching ESL/EFL to children or adults? Could you explain how you would teach them?
Response: Children have less interference from problems of daily life, such as earning a living or dealing with family problems. Children are biologically faster to acquire second language skills, and are capable of speaking it without an accent so long as they begin learning before puberty when changes in the brain structure make it difficult to lose an accent. The Natural Approach to Language Acquisition, where a child first learns to understand a second language before having to talk, read, or write, can be employed with youngsters. For adults, who require more direct and faster results, the Natural Approach is compromised by educational systems or bushiban business. When language learners are required to have language arts and spelling skills, the acquisition process is slower.  However, the biggest hindrance to teaching adults English is undoing the errors "fossilized" in uncorrected instruction from past teachers; it is harder to break old bad habits than learn new ones. "Pride" hinders adults from admitting they are making errors. However, with enough time and a proper attitude towards accepting mistakes by developing a monitor to correct what comes out of their mouths, adults can learn, too. For adults and children, engaging in challenging class contests and activities is the fun way to learn English.

3. How about your life in New York City? How was it and what is the difference between living there and in Taichung? Which do you like more? 
Response: Naturally, I like living in Taichung, Taiwan, or I wouldn't have moved here when I retired.  It is more expensive to live in NYC but the life of a teacher and student in Taiwan is more difficult than in NYC with long hours and large classes of homework to mark, and little room for creating your own lesson plans. I don't think it would have been as much fun teaching here as it was teaching in New York City. Also, teaching ESL in Taiwan is not as lucrative and protected a job as in New York City where teachers have a very strong workers' union. That, and the fact that a private English education for my four children would have been too expensive, was the main reason I left Taiwan after I moved here in 1984. 
     Life in NYC is more inconvenient than in Taiwan. There are more rules to follow, and the police are stricter. In Taiwan, the rules are not always enforced and the police are friendlier. For safety, NYC is more dangerous with people with guns, and more thieves and schemers than in Taiwan. On the other hand, the variety of food is better in NYC than in Taiwan. 
     I miss the four seasons of cold and snow in winter, heat and beach in summer, fall leaves falling, and spring flowers blooming . I also miss the clean air to breath; air pollution in Taiwan is a drawback. But, generally speaking, I like living in Taichung better than living in NYC. Though I miss my four grown children who live in America, I keep in touch with them and my good friends, thanks to the internet, free international phone calls, and on-line

entertainment. My wife's family lives in Taichung and treats us well. When my wife is happy, I am happy, too. 

Interesting Facts about Teacher David
After listening to your presentation we have come to some realizations:
1. Learning English is not confined to a textbook and tests; English is a living language.
2. Your father could fix airplanes but he couldn't fly one; we though that was interesting. 
3. Your father had a large family; three sisters and five brothers.
4. You like the night markets in Taiwan with stinky tofu, cherry tomatoes with a dried plum slices, and barbecue chicken tails your favorite snacks.

Thank you for giving us your presentation. It was a good experience!  

 

3A: Interfacing with International Organizations: Charities

Overview
Taiwan has joined many international organizations such as political, economic, charitable, environmental, health, and technological, though most are outside the auspices of the United Nations which we are no longer permitted to contribute to because of their policy that favors recognition of The Peoples' Republic of China over Taiwan's Republic of China. 

Our group's main interest is understanding the workings of charitable organizations that Taiwan can contribute to or be assisted by. Do those charitable organizations really make this world better? What is the nature of their contribution?
We think World Vision (30 Hour Famine) is the best charity because we can experience second-hand the feeling of hunger that some people in Africa suffer. We plan to contribute to this fund-raiser in the future. We could donate shoes and clothing to those people but we wonder if it really helps much. We think teaching people to care for themselves is better than giving them handouts. 

Questions About Charities

1. Which charity do you admire the most?
Response: The best charity is the one that takes the least money for itself and directs the most money to programs for victims and people in need. The help should be unpolitical and aids all equally. 

2. What do you think about the influx of refugees into a new territory?
Response: If companies are permitted to cross borders to find better opportunities to make profit, people should also be permitted to cross borders to get a better standard of living. It is especially unfair for nations that create chaos and grief for common people in other territories, militarily destroying their homes and displacing families, to then deny these refugees permission to enter their lands so they can reconstruct their lives. The U.S. was founded on immigrants from other lands. The U.S. and other countries should never deny refugees permission to settle their; refugees should be welcomed and helped because immigrants make countries great by bringing in new ideas and culture.

3.Please tell us what benefits we will get by contributing to charities.
Response: First, let me say that "charity begins at home." You must help your family grow stronger and safer before helping others. This means raising the standard of living by educating yourself and seeking out the best opportunity, and starting or joining a worker's union to improve your work environment. Once you and your fellow workers have some security, reaching out to help others in need is essential to making a great society. Most people are victims of natural disasters or government and business policies. It will bring peace to us all if we reach out and help our neighbors. It will decrease the chance of our neighbors turning to a life of crime or drug abuse, too. 

4. We know charity has benefited many people, but can it make the world a better place?
Response:  If the charity is non-denominational (not religious) and not political (only helping a selected group of victims) then it can certainly help make the world better. On the other hand, some charities are like big businesses; they only help themselves and people who donate to them. Some charities only help people who are the sane religion or nationality as their organizers. That is very wrong and selfish. Never contribute to a charity until you investigate who they help and under what conditions. Make sure that they don't keep most of the money contributed for themselves, then the world can become a better place.  

1C: Requirements For English in Taiwan: Notes and Feedback

 Team 1C Notes and Feedback

 Prepared Questions 
1.Do the requirements for English really help students to learn and raise their ability? 
2. If so, why do many students have such poor fluency?
3. Is there a problem with the educational system? 
4. Do you thin Taiwan's exams can successfully evaluate a students' English ability?
5. How can exams be improved in the future?
6. Why do Taiwanese students have lower TOEFL grades than students in Japan or Korea?

English instruction isn't only for the learning of grammar and vocabulary but to use the language for communication. If a student doesn't pass an English examination, it doesn't necessarily mean his or her English ability is poor; it may just be the test is misdirected.

Notes and Feedback

      In the first half of the presentation, Mr. David Temple told us about his life in New York and Taiwan but said we might be more interested in other topics he prepared. "English is not a test; it is a language that you use. In fact, using English is important but so is the result of English tests you have to take." Perhaps we can change the focus on the tests we take instead of doing without them.

      During the second half of the presentation, Mr. Temple answered questions that we had in mind:
Question: Why do women in America choose to take their husband's family name when they get married? 
Response: The teacher said he wasn't sure. Perhaps they think it is good for their families. Women do have a choice to keep their maiden name.  If there is inequality for women in Taiwanese society, he said, women have to keep trying and never give up to make changes.

Question: Why does  there seem to be such serious racism in the U.S.? 
Response: In the media (television, radio, newspapers, internet, etc.) the big business ruling class in the government influences people and puts bad ideas into our heads.  They do not want people to get together and organize against them so they divide us. People follow the incorrect news thoughtlessly.

Question: Are there any "green" buildings in the U.S.?
Response: It depends on the city and area. In fact, in many ways, Taiwan as a whole is "greener" than the U.S. despite U.S. business moving many pollution factories and industry here to protect our own environment and ruin Taiwan's. Generally, Taiwan still recycles more than in the U.S. For example, while leftover food in markets and restaurants in the U.S. are discarded, they are collected in Taiwan either for compost or as food for farm animals such as pigs. 

Quotes of Encouragement

1. "To understand is hard. Once one understands, action is easy." Sun Yat-Sen 
2. "I walk slowly but I never walk backward." Abraham Lincoln
3. "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi 

1F. Using The Internet

2E. Taiwanese Festivals

1G: Creating a Blog and Facebook Page

1G. 
Today is the age of the "global village." We use the internet to get in touch with people in other countries to understand different cultures. However, surfing the net is also has its drawbacks. For instance, long time usage can hurt our eyes. Furthermore, the information passed along on blogs and websites may be wrong. 

Our goal at Sheng-Kang Junior High School is to create a blog (and Facebook page) concerning our home in Changhua and all of Taiwan to show our culture including local Taiwanese snacks and religious temples. It will stand as a testament to look back upon, with pride, when we reflect on what we have done to "Read the world so the world will read us."   


I. Creating a Blog and Facebook Page

A. Using a Blog and Facebook Page; drawbacks
     a. Taiwanese people spend more time using Facebook than any other society.
     b. Terrorists use the internet to send terrible messages to the world.
     c. Many teenagers use the internet to bully classmates 

B. Using the internet to make friends abroad
     a. Post information about you hometown  culture
     b. Become friends with international students
     c. Use sites to add and read about cooking and traveling 

C. Problems with Websites, Blogs, and Facebook Pages
     a. Some posts are direct copy, neglecting intellectual property rights 
     b. Some posts are bullying
     c. Scams are used to deceive and steal. Ex. seizure of accounts, fraud

D. Benefits of Blogs and Facebook Pages
     a. Understand the dynamics of the world more quickly
     b. Post interests to make friends worldwide
     c. Shape your own opinion and ideas with anyone

Overarching Questions: 
1. How can we attract viewers abroad to visit our blog and Facebook page?
2. How can we avoid legal problems of posting others' photos, videos, and text copy?
3. How could some viewers in some closed societies, such as China, be reached? Why do these countries hinder free access to information 

(see Introduction and Feedback for more of this group's contribution)

1B. How We Will Earn Our Living: Women's Rights

I. The Difficulty That Women Have

 To Earn Their Living 

A. Same work but lower wages than men        

 1. Stereotypes of gender

     a. People think women don't have the same ability as men.

     b. People think women don't need to earn lots of money.

  B. Effect: Most women get lower wages than men despite equal work and experience. 

B. A traditional mind-set blocks women's development

  1. Reason: Women still have to do most of the house chores.

     a. Though more and more females go to work, they still need to do most of the housework.

b. People think it is a woman's responsibility to take care of children and elderly parents.
2. Effect: Lots of women who have ability are forced to quit their jobs.  

 II. The Future Prospects

 of Female Career Development

  A. More women hold jobs in important company positions. 
   1. Reason: Coed Education has become common.
   2. Difficulty: Old-fashioned mind-sets of men that women should not go to work but stay home still exists.
   B. Females can show themselves and shine brighter
    1. Reason: The equality of genders is more common in Taiwan society
     2 Difficulty: Many woman are still affected by a traditional mind-set.

Overarching Questions with Teacher David's Responses 
1. Do American females face the same situation in the workplace as Taiwan females? If so, what do you think causes it. If not, what do you think is the difference? 
Yes, but it's less serious than in Taiwan. In a recent survey of 10,000 companies, 4% of American females got lower wages for the same work than men while, in Taiwan, that number is 9% 
2. Most people think western countries are more gender friendly and equal. What do you think about that? 
I think America is more gender-friendly than Taiwan. Woman can work wherever they like, or not work at all, and their decision is seldom affected by traditional mind set. Although there still exist some unequal treatment , it is still more gender friendly than Taiwan. As in Americas, women workers have to speak out and fight for their rights. 
3.  If this is so, why do you think western women choose to take their husband's family name when getting married? 
Actually, western women aren't forced to change their family names to their husband's when they get married. But why do more western women change their family names when they get married than Taiwanese woman do? I don't know. My mother, for example, still had my father's famiuly name although they were divorced when I was young, She thought she should have the same family name as her children to be part of one family. I don't understand why most western women keep their husband's family name. 
3. We found that Latin America has more female presidents than in other parts of the world. What is the reason for this? 
4. How to solve discrimination and difficulties that women face in the work force which act as a "glass ceiling" towards their future development? 

Feedback to Teacher David Temple's Presentation

Teacher David is from Brooklyn, New York. There are four children in his family. He has ancestors from Russia and Austria, and he is proud of his grandfather who fought for workers' rights. His belief is Judaism. After undergraduate work in college in San Francisco, he came to Taiwan to learn Mandarin. While here, he taught English in a cram school and found that he enjoyed teaching He got married and moved back to the U.S. to get his teacher's licence and teach. He came back after four years and taught in Taiwan. However, he divorced his first wife who was acting like his boss and, with his three children returned to Brooklyn to start teaching immigrants at a high school. He had met his second wife in Taiwan and married her later in New York. After his retirement in 2012, Teacher David came back to Taiwan. he still teaches part-time. He not only would like his students to learn English but also use the media to connect with the world. 

We have learned a lot from this presentation. First, it was a precious chance to practice our English and try to speak out. Although we aren't yet fluent in English, Teacher David still listened to our opinions patiently. It was a wonderful experience for us to communicate in English and be so confident. 

Secondly, Teacher David taught that if we "Read the world, the world will read us." We have to concern ourselves with events that occur inside and outside of Taiwan and be connected with the 
world. When you start to care about the world, the world will listen to your opinions. We kinow that we should take action and express our appeals.

In our discussion, we talked about discrimination and stereotypes which hinder women from developing to their potential. Teacher David told us that we have to speak out for our own rights and make these stereotypes get out of peoples' minds. We st6rongly agree with that, and it encourages us to advance and be brave to speak out.

We appreciate this meaningful presentation. We thank Teacher David for giving us this chance to have a different experience. 

After experiencing this presentation,we understand that if we want to improve our English ability, we should talk with others face to face; not rely on book learning.

Teacher David asked ouyr group a question during break time: "How do you learn English in your classes? Can you have a discussion like thios with your teachers and classmates?" 
Our answer was "no." It uisa bewcause we are not allowed to speak English freely in class. If one does so, his or her name is registered on the blackboard and be punished. In this way, we feel that Teacher David's idea of free discussion is less boring and more useful to practicing the English that we lhave learned. After all, language is a tool for chatting and reading the world, isn't it

 At the start of the presentation, Teacher David remarked he noticed people in Taiwan like to wear t-shirts  which express phrases in English rnd foreign place names, but he didn't know why it was so.
We think there are two reasons: First, since Taiwanese don't have a local reality of cultural pride, dominant cultures, like Chinese or American, proliferate . Fewer and fewer people pay attention to our own society. Second, people are caught up in the mainstream culture to much to consider why they wear the words on their t-shirts that they do; they just follow the trend. 

In Teacher David's presentation, he mentioned the "indomitable" direct our effort must take, such as in questioning why women's wages are less then men's . His solution was illustrated in the Chinese idiom: Bu-qu-bu-nau, which means, "never give up."
If women and other sectors of the common people in society don't step forward bravely and fight for their just causes, one one can break ther status quo. 

3D. Indiginous Arts & Craft

Overarching Questions:

1. How can we connect aboriginal culture in Taiwan to the world?

2. Are clothes or shoe donations to aboriginal communities needed?

3. Why isn't the "Double-Heart Stone Trap" not a protected cultural asset according to the United Nations?

4. Why can't Taiwan foresight be recognized worldwide?

5. How can Taiwan become a country?

6. How do you feel about native Taiwanese porcelain and ceramics? 

7. How do Taiwanese craft compare with native crafts in the U.S.? 

8. Can the traditional culture of Taiwan be found in foreign countries? If so, what are foreigner's views of our native art?

9. Do the people of Taiwan have enough pride in the traditional crafts of our indigenous people? 

2B. Places to Travel in Taiwan

2b. Traveling to Places in Taiwan

You may wonder, "How do I go to New Taipei City?" 
Here are some tips:

Taipei
To get to New Taipei City from Tao-yuan International Airport by taxi it takes about forty minutes. Taking the MRT is the best way to commute to New Taipei City. There is a shuttle bus from the airport that can take you to the MRT Station. New Taipei City is the most bustling city in Taiwan. There are some pretty views and a lot of delicious foods. 

 Ah-gai (top) and Braised Pork (bottom) 

Braised pork on rice is our favorite snack. You should taste it when you have free time in Taipei. Another one of the most famous foods in Taipei is "Ah-gai."

 





The "Queen's Head" stone formation on the east coast of Taiwan not far from Taipei in Yeh-Leo is a beautiful place for foreigners to visit, too. It is one of the most famous landmarks in Taiwan. The weathered rock is a place to take photos. 

Banqiao
Our favorite place near Taipei is Banqiao. There are many modern buildings there. We like the department stores there, too. There are many movie theaters, KTV centers, and some parks.

Overarching Questions:
1. Do you remember different places you visited when you first came to Taiwan?
2. What are you favorite and least favorite foods?
3. What do you think of the HSR (High Speed Rail)? 
4. Do you know any famous persons from Taiwan universities?
5.Are there any cultural differences you found hard to accept when you first came to Taiwan?

2C Travel Outside Taiwan

2C. Travel  Outside Taiwan
A visa is simply an entry permit. Obligations of aliens cannot supersede the general principles of another nation's law. 

Taiwanese people who wish to travel to other countries and territories are required to have a visa. The application process for each country is not the same.

The United States
There are six different kinds of visas
1. Business/tourist 
2. Student
3. Short term
4. Transit
5. Aircrew and aviation
6. Domestic helpers

Europe 
1. The Shengen Area is comprised of 26 countries that allow 
free movement of their citizens. 22 countries are part of the 
European Union (EU) and 4 are not.
2. National Visa  applicant for a specific country and 
must return to their place of origin.

Foreigners to Enter Taiwan 
A visa is offered in accordance with the purpose and identity of the person.
1. Visitor
2. Resident
3. Diplomatic
4. Courtesy 

Overarching Questions 
1. Why are some nations with Taiwan relations still required to get a visa to come to Taiwan?
2. Refugee in transit to other areas have cause policy problems. Is there a resolution?
3. How is it decided if a countryman can enter another country visa-free?