An EMI Demo Class with 4 Panel Comics
Sometimes the most amazing adventures happen right in our own backyard. And for us here at KMJH, that adventure has been unfolding right next door, quite literally, at the National Comics Museum in Taichung. But the most exciting part? We recently had the chance to see our incredible ICE (International Cultural Exchange) students in action, leading a fantastic tour for students from Thailand! How cool is that?
A Special Day at the Museum: Welcoming Our
Thai Friends
Imagine this: the sun shining, maybe a
gentle breeze in the air right here in Taichung. Our junior high students, a
mix of nerves and excitement, were ready. The visiting students from the
Sunflower Trilingual School in Bangkok, Thailand, arrived, curious and eager to
learn. They had their audio guides, but the real magic of the day was watching
our ICE students step up as confident and knowledgeable English tour guides.
Our Neighbor: Exploring the National Comics
Museum
For those of you who haven't been, the
National Comics Museum is a real gem. It’s a place where you can dive into the
world of Taiwanese comics – from the classics of yesteryear to the vibrant
creations of today. You can even learn about the unique stories told through
indigenous peoples' comics, which is something truly special. It even showcases
the legacy of Japanese influences!
What makes it even more interesting is the
history of the building itself. During the Japanese Clonial Period, it used to be the dormitories for prisoner
guards and police officers! After
surviving a fire and going through some beautiful renovations, it’s now this
fantastic spot where history and art collide. It’s become a popular place to
visit, and honestly, I can see why.
More Than Bricks: The Museum's Rich History
But it’s not just about the cool comics and
the old building; it’s about the stories within those walls. And that’s where
our amazing KMJH ICE students had been preparing. We wanted to give them a
real-world, hands-on learning experience, something that would not only boost
their English skills but also deepen their understanding of their own culture
and history – all while sharing it with others.
Learning in Action: Students as
Storytellers
We took a step-by-step approach, what we
like to call a "backward design." The students first learned how to
really see a place – the location, the history, the cool features, and
even the feelings it evokes. We used simple, conversational English, focusing
on clear sentence patterns.
Then came the fun part: they collaborated
in groups, each taking on a different aspect of the museum. They researched,
they practiced, they crafted their own little presentations. We covered
everything from a general introduction to the museum itself, to the fascinating
Japanese architectural elements, the symbolic "Tree of Life," the
evolution of Taiwanese comics, and the powerful stories of indigenous comics.
It wasn't just about memorizing facts; it
was about truly understanding and being able to share those stories in a way
that would engage others. And trust me, seeing them work together, their
enthusiasm growing with each practice session, was incredibly rewarding.
Connecting Through Comics: ICE Students as
Impressive Guides
And then, the moment we’d all been waiting
for! Our ICE students, stepping up as confident English tour guides, led their
groups through the museum with genuine enthusiasm. They shared their assigned
topics with passion and clarity, bringing the history and the art to life for
their visitors from Thailand. You could see the interaction, the smiles, the
nods of understanding between the students from different countries. It wasn't
just about the information being shared; it was about the shared experience, the
connection forged through a mutual interest in comics and history, all guided
by our fantastic ICE team.
The Best Reward: Seeing Our Students Shine
This whole project was a fantastic
collaboration, and a big shout-out to the professor at National Chung Hsing
University who helped design a pre- and post-presentation survey and a drawing
task. And a huge thank you to Teacher Amy for her incredible help with
recruiting the ICE students and all the logistical arrangements – a true unsung
hero. Additionally, without the International Education Alliance with HuiWen Senior High School, particularly a driven and like-minded teacher, Daniel Wu, we would not have had the opportunity to implement this English tour guide project on-site.
But honestly, the biggest reward? It was
seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. The pure joy of our students as they
confidently shared their knowledge and interacted with their new friends from
Thailand. Their ability to guide and engage the visiting students was truly
impressive. It was priceless.
Mike and his two students even came to
observe the whole class, and we had some really insightful discussions about
lesson planning, the challenges we faced, and why, as an English teacher, I
find so much fulfillment in contributing to these kinds of school-wide
initiatives.
This wasn't just a lesson; it was an experience. It was about bringing history to life, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and empowering our students to become confident communicators.
So, next time you're looking for something
interesting to do, definitely check out the National Comics Museum. And who
knows, you might just run into some of our amazing KMJH ICE students, ready to
share their stories with you – just like they did so wonderfully for our
friends from Thailand!
No comments:
Post a Comment