TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Maureen Rooney, an English language specialist from the U.S. Department of State, engaged with students at Heti Elementary School (HTPS) in Kaohsiung on Wednesday (Dec. 20). She introduced American holiday traditions through an interactive English language program.
Rooney, with her fluent English and expressive body language, helped students overcome their anxiety about fully English-taught lessons. The course, filled with audiovisual aids, delved into the historical context of Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, enriching their cultural understanding.
In the festive spirit, Rooney used the song "12 Days of Christmas" to spark discussions about the meaning of gifts and encourage heartfelt English expressions of gratitude and well wishes for their families.
HTPS Principal Tu Chang-lin expressed gratitude for the American Institute in Taiwan's (AIT) collaboration with U.S. officials in promoting bilingual education at the school. He emphasized the value of cultural learning opportunities brought by U.S. State Department educators to enhance students' English proficiency.