The Taichung City Elementary School English Reader's Theater Contest kicked off today (20th) at the Dadun Cultural Center and will continue tomorrow. This year's event has set new records, drawing over 700 students from 102 schools. The impressive turnout not only makes the contest even more exciting but also offers students a stage to show their training outcomes and deliver captivating performances.

Education Bureau Director Chiang Wei-min noted that since Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen took office, she has been promoting English and international education. With 260 foreign teachers—the highest number among Taiwan's six municipalities—the city has achieved the goal of providing every school with at least one foreign teacher. Additionally, the Education Bureau has ramped up efforts by introducing programs like Taichung English Van, English Skill Development and Happy Learning, and specialized camps. Through diverse teaching resources and activities, English is integrated into everyday learning and life, fostering a love for the language and making it a practical part of students' daily routines.

Director Chiang also noted that the Education Bureau hosts four key contests annually for elementary school students: English Reader's Theater, English Storytelling, English Read Aloud, and English Singing. These contests aim to create a variety of learning platforms, allowing students to display their English skills in different ways, helping them build confidence and cultivate a greater interest in language learning.

According to Director Chiang, the number of schools involved in the 2024 English Reader's Theater Contest surpassed 100, with student participation reaching an all-time high. This reflects the growing enthusiasm among students for English activities and courses, thanks to the dedication of both local and foreign teachers. The contest provides an opportunity for students to showcase their fluent English and creativity through pronunciation, tone, voice, and expression while also testing their teamwork skills and highlighting the theatrical aspects of the Reader's Theater.

A teacher guiding the participating students shared that the students put in great effort during their preparation, including perfecting pronunciation, understanding tone and expression, and building teamwork and chemistry. This allowed them to display the progress they’ve made in their learning, with both teachers and students embarking on a meaningful English learning journey together. The teacher is hopeful for great results this year so that the students can reap the rewards of their hard work.

The Education Bureau highlighted that in support of the 2030 Bilingual Nation policy, the city government is adopting a variety of strategies to create different English learning environments. These efforts assist schools in designing a range of English learning activities that enhance students' motivation for self-learning, spark their interest in English, and improve their learning results, thereby establishing a strong foundation for English education in elementary schools.