這不僅是一堂英文課，更是一場充滿歡笑的台日文化大亂鬥！從猜台北 101的造型構想到底是「竹子」還是「蛋糕」，到《風になる》與《小手拉大手》的跨語言大合唱，光明國中與安土中學的孩子們用熱情跨越了國界。為了讓氣氛更嗨，我甚至親自上陣比劃北斗神拳的拳四郎讓日本學生猜角色！透過珍珠奶茶、動漫以及彼此的真心，讓台日情誼在紛擾的世界中更加穩固前行！
It wasn’t just a video call; it was a concert, a quiz show, and a comedy act all rolled into one! Our students from KMJH and Azuchi JH didn't just practice English—they built a bridge between our cultures, swapping stories about food, school life, and everything in between.
There are some projects that you just know are
going to be special. For me, it’s our long-standing collaboration with Azuchi
Junior High. My counterparts and I have spent years nurturing this
relationship, and every time we connect, the energy is different.
It’s more than just checking a box for "International
Education." It’s about watching our students step up, overcome their
shyness, and proudly introduce their culture to new friends across the ocean.
This recent session? It was one for the books.
1. The Pop Quiz: Bamboo, Candles, or Cakes?
We kicked things off with student presentations, but
we added a twist to keep engagement high. Instead of just talking at
each other, the students utilized a Presentation + Q&A format.
Right after sharing their slides, the presenter had
to ask a multiple-choice question to the other side. It worked like a charm!
- The Topics: We had
everything from delicious Japanese sushi and bubble milk tea, to favorite
anime characters like Doraemon or Hokuto Shinken.
- The Highlight: One of my
favorite moments was the "Taipei 101" quiz. A student showed the
iconic building and asked: "Where did the design idea come from?
Is it A) A bamboo stalk, B) A candle, or C) A cake?"
2. A Tale of Two Songs
I have to give credit where it’s due—the Japanese
students were incredibly prepared for their cultural festival presentation.
When it was time for the talent exchange, they didn't just sing; they
performed. They sang Kaze ni Naru (from The Cat Returns) with beautiful,
choir-like harmonies.
But here is where the magic happened. In return,
right after they finished, our KMJH students sang Small Hands Holding Big Hands.
For those who don't know, this is the Mandarin adaptation of that exact same
song! Hearing the same melody carry the emotions of two different languages was
a powerful moment of connection.
3. Going Off-Script: The Power of Demonstration
If there is one piece of advice I can give to other
teachers running exchanges, it’s this: Don't just talk—show.
A static video call can get boring. Interaction is
key.
- Culture in
Action: I asked the Japanese students a follow-up question: "Can
you show us how you pray at that beautiful shrine you mentioned?"
Seeing them demonstrate the proper etiquette live on camera was so much
more memorable than reading about it.
- My
"Kenshiro" Moment: I couldn't resist getting involved
myself. To hype it up, I decided to act out a character for them to guess.
I posed with the signature "7 scars" on my chest and did the
moves of Kenshiro from Fist of the North Star.
Did they guess it? You bet. It got a huge laugh and
broke the ice even further.
Stronger Together
At the end of the day, this wasn't just about
practicing grammar. Our students felt a genuine need to use English to
communicate the things they love.
Given the recent 'Taiwan Contingency' remarks and that disgusting 'head-cutting' bullshit, reactions—both official and grassroots—have made headlines and blown up social media in both countries. On a personal note, standing on the side of freedom and democracy has never been a question. Moreover, people from Japan and Taiwan have continued offering support and help, regardless of intimidation that is all bark and no bite.
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