YMHS (TAIWAN), LEL (nEW zEALAND) Strengthen Cross-Cultural Bonds through Educational Partnership
In a significant stride towards fostering international camaraderie and enhancing global competency, New Zealand-based company Learn English Live recently engaged in a preliminary discussion with Taoyuan Municipal Yang Mei Senior High School (YMHS) in Taiwan. The virtual meeting, which took place on September 18, 2023, via Zoom, aimed to explore potential partnerships between New Zealand schools and YMHS as part of Taiwan's Bilingual Nation 2030 Policy.
Learn English Live, known for connecting New Zealand youth with peers worldwide to build enduring cross-cultural relationships, currently operates in South Korea, Italy, and New Zealand, with Japan soon joining its roster in early 2022.
Representatives from both sides participated in this constructive dialogue. William Clarke and Brittany, the representatives of Learn English Live from New Zealand, presented their programs and expressed their delight at being approached by YMHS. William shared that the program's inspiration had originated during his visit to Taipei during the ongoing pandemic. After successfully piloting an elementary school program in Taipei, it gained support from the Ministry of Education in South Korea. He fondly reminisced about his warm experiences in Taiwan, which significantly increased the prospects of collaboration.
Huii Sung, the Bilingual Program Coordinator at YMHS, proudly showcased the school's past and present international programs, which included school visits to the United States and collaborations with schools in the Philippines and Japan through virtual and upcoming onsite visits. Jessy Silva, the Foreign English Teacher at YMHS, highlighted the school's innovative initiatives like the Culture Box and Donation Drive, aimed at boosting YMHS and Taiwan's global visibility.
The Learn English Live team was deeply impressed by YMHS's strong commitment to international linkage. William Clarke indicated that several high schools in Auckland were interested in partnering with schools with a Chinese cultural focus, while Jessy Silva mentioned the ongoing Culture Box activity, sending souvenirs worldwide to establish stronger YMHS partnerships and increase Taiwan's global visibility.
Moreover, there was hope for YMHS to participate in youth volunteer programs related to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New Zealand or the Philippines, with virtual exchange programs becoming feasible in the coming year. Both parties agreed to continue discussions and preparations for potential collaboration between the two institutions.
The virtual meeting concluded on a positive note, reflecting YMHS's commitment to nurturing bilingual proficiency and global competence among its students. This partnership aligns with Taiwan's Bilingual Nation 2030 Policy, which encourages elementary and secondary schools to seek counterpart schools abroad for language and culture exchanges.
The ultimate goal of these exchanges and collaborations is to promote mutual understanding among young participants and cultivate their interest in learning languages and cultures. This initiative aims to shape future global citizens with international perspectives and a better understanding of global issues. Schools are encouraged to start with ICT-based cultural exchange programs and progress towards cooperative teaching or online courses.
As the partnership between Learn English Live and YMHS takes root, it signifies a remarkable step forward in creating a more interconnected and culturally enriched world for the youth of New Zealand and Taiwan.