November 20-21, 2025
Pre-Holiday Engagement through Taiwanese Culture:
With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I introduced students to the vibrant atmosphere and culture of Taiwanese night markets, from games to food. My teaching strategy used interactive activities to combat pre-holiday distraction.
For the ice-breaker, I grabbed attention with a flashcard matching game. My main objective was to motivate participation through engagement. Therefore, I randomly distributed the cards throughout the classroom. Each card contained a food picture. The students were instructed to place their cards on the whiteboard when I mentioned the item in my slides. I greatly appreciated this strategy because it required both those with cards and those without to remain attentive and present when I introduced new vocabulary.
Connecting to Prior Knowledge and Cultural Exchange:
The Taiwanese Night Market was introduced through a video, which I expounded on to provide clarity. After the presentation, I posed a question: “What is similar to a Taiwanese night market here in the U.S.?” My question forced the students to compare and contrast their experiences with the knowledge they had learned. I received responses such as ‘fair,’ ‘arcade,’ and ‘mall.’ The ability to digest and process new information through filters of prior knowledge and experience demonstrates comprehension and deductive reasoning.
Eventually, the lesson transitioned into practicing the vocabulary. I asked the students, “What night market food would you want?” This approach encouraged them to express themselves using a specific sentence structure,thus maximizing engagement. Every student had a different preference and was excited to share.
“When stinky tofu meets chicken wings— A taste of Taiwan in Alabama. I sign off. I hope my experience has provided clarity and inspiration for international teachers to come.”
Adaptability and Goal Surpassing:
It is important for a teacher to assess the pace of his/her classroom constantly. The different student reactions prompted me to adjust the pacing and structure of my activities. Adaptivity is crucial when instructing students. I observed myself analyzing the classroom atmosphere in real time to ensure all students remained engaged. While it is challenging to achieve 100% focus from every student, the level of interaction and enthusiasm we generated in these cultural lessons felt like it surpassed my original engagement goals.
During the practice session, I handed out a worksheet to gauge the class’s vocabulary growth. Some students inquired about the academic impact of the “pop-quiz.” I informed them that the worksheet was solely to gauge their improvement. However, my honesty did not encourage all students. For some, the motivation to complete the assignment waned. They explained that non-graded work is often ignored.
Nevertheless, I encouraged them to complete the worksheet for their benefit. Despite low motivation, all the worksheets were completed, showing respect for the material and class engagement. This interaction highlighted a powerful lesson: even when external motivation is absent, a compelling cultural connection and personal rapport can be strong enough to drive learning.
Closing Remarks:
I am honored for the opportunity to introduce Taiwanese culture through food. I am confident that the students have developed an understanding of the material. I have learned that any reaction is valuable, whether enthusiasm or confusion. It signals that progress is being made. Truthfully, student reactions have become an important teaching metric, which influences my lesson planning and methods.
Author
Pan Yiling, ALIEEP Trainee | LinkedIn
Pan Yiling is an experienced and qualified educator with five years of experience. Her background stems from teaching English to Taiwanese and Japanese students. Currently, an ALIEEP trainee is tasked with promoting Taiwanese culture through educational endeavors. She aspires to help more people fall in love with language learning. Her curiosity and joy of exploration have motivated her to visit various countries in the course of her professional pursuits.
Editor: Nikki Smith, PR Specialist | LinkedIn
Nikki Smith is an innovative marketing professional passionate about articulating compelling brand stories that promote connection and community through inspirational rhetoric. Currently, the PR Specialist at the Alabama International Education and Economic Partnership, she leads the internal communication initiatives, develops marketing strategies, and creates multi-platform content. Nikki’s experience spans insurance, publishing, retail, and technology, bringing a versatile perspective to every project.