Recently, a few of us Foreign English Teachers (FETs) in Chiayi decided it was time to get serious about our Chinese learning journey. So, we’ve signed up for Chinese classes at the Chiayi University Language Center.
There are five of us FETs in total — three in the intermediate class (yours truly included) and two in the beginner class.
For the beginner group, some Fulbright English Teaching Assistants (ETAs) are joining in as well, making it a pretty dynamic class full of people from all over the world trying to wrap their heads around the intricacies of Mandarin.
Why Learning Chinese Matters
You might think living in Taiwan makes it easy to pick up Chinese, but the reality can be a bit more complicated, especially for us FETs.
We spend the majority of our time either in the classroom or working on lesson plans, where we’re expected to speak English all the time. Plus, all of the schools have staff who speak English, so it’s easy to fall into the habit of relying on that.
That’s why learning Chinese is so important for us. It’s not just about improving our day-to-day living situations (though that’s a big part of it). It’s also about deepening our connection with Taiwan and its people.
Being able to communicate even at a basic level can make everyday tasks — like ordering food at a restaurant or chatting with neighbors — so much smoother.
And the better we get at Chinese, the more we feel like we’re really part of the community here.
Signing up for these classes has been a great way to push ourselves and set aside dedicated time to focus on learning the language, which is something that can easily get lost in the shuffle of work and life.
Classroom Vibes
The intermediate class has been a good challenge so far. We’ve moved beyond the basics, so now it’s all about refining our skills and tackling more complex conversations.
It’s still a bit of a struggle at times (the tones are no joke!), but the progress is real, and we’re feeling more confident as we go along.
I don’t know much about the beginner class, but from the little I’ve seen, it looks like fun. I tried to sneak a peek one night, and though I could only see a few students, they seemed to be having a blast.
I also checked in with one of the FETs, and she mentioned the class is going really well, with everyone making good progress.
Looking Ahead
We’re hoping to keep the momentum going beyond this current term, which wraps up at the beginning of November.
We’re already planning to continue with classes into the next term, and the best part? The EERC is working with the city government to help subsidize the tuition, making it even easier for us to keep learning.
For anyone thinking about joining us, it’s definitely worth it. Whether you’re brand new to the language or you’ve already got a few phrases under your belt, the classes at Chiayi University’s Language Center are a great way to make real progress.
Plus, it’s always fun to learn alongside other teachers who are in the same boat as you.
And while the ultimate goal is to improve our Chinese for everyday life in Taiwan, it’s also about making the most of the time we have here.
We’re not just teachers; we’re members of this community. Learning the language helps us show that we’re invested in Chiayi, both inside and outside the classroom.