Promoting creative English teaching using Chinese culture for elementary schooling in Taiwan

In order to promote Taiwanese students’ English abilities, the Ministry of Education decided to commence formal English education in elementary schools beginning in the year 2000. The initiation of English language instruction in elementary schools provides a good opportunity to reform the conventional pedagogy employed in Taiwan. However, due to the teachers’ limited English competence and the stereotypical curriculum, the teaching methods that teachers use are uncreative, and seldom motivate students to get actively involved in learning. To make English an interesting subject for elementary school students, teachers need to know what material attracts students, how to motivate students, and how to release students’ creativity. Therefore, this project incorporates the concepts of multiple intelligences, motivation, culture and language, and development of creativity to provide a model for promoting creative English teaching in the elementary schools of Taiwan. In addition, the content of the unit, based on Chinese culture and the comparison of Chinese and American cultures, is an innovative curriculum designed to motivate students to learn English.