National Sun Yat-sen University's Center for Excellence in English Instruction (CEEI) and Service Learning Education Center have collaborated to offer English-taught service learning courses. Under these programs, university students transform into "little teachers" and share English picture book stories with elementary school children. Through cleverly designed activities involving flashcards, games, drawing, and worksheets, children are immersed in the world of picture books, learning English in a relaxed atmosphere, and fostering an enjoyable English learning environment.

Assistant Professor Wang Pinhui, from Xiwan College of National Sun Yat-sen University, initiated the "English Picture Book Reading" service learning course. She hopes that university students can step out of campus and design engaging English teaching activities based on picture book stories, fostering more interactions with the community. The course collaborates with five elementary schools, including Dashe Elementary School, Guangrong Elementary School, Yancheng Elementary School, Xinyi Elementary School, and Qianzhen Elementary School. University students have multiple opportunities to visit different elementary schools, allowing them to adjust their picture book reading methods based on the students' proficiency levels and class situations. Even during the semester transition to online teaching due to the pandemic, the course invited elementary school teachers to hold lectures, share educational experiences, and engage in English conversations with university students, igniting sparks of English learning.

"Sometimes even I am amazed by the creativity of university students!" Wang Pinhui cited an example where a group of students shared the story "The Witches’ Coffee Shop" and designed a buying and selling game with vocabulary from the story. They incorporated coin cards into worksheets, allowing elementary school students to practice English conversations by purchasing items from the university students. Wang Pinhui mentioned that although the course does not impose specific goals, when university students genuinely interact with elementary school children, they often spontaneously seek to do more for the children.

Lin Zhiliang, a sophomore majoring in Business Administration at National Sun Yat-sen University, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to communicate with elementary school teachers during service learning, which helped him better understand the school and elementary school conditions. Although his major is not in the field of education, he expressed willingness to volunteer for similar activities in the future. Luo Yuwei, a senior majoring in Finance at National Sun Yat-sen University, mentioned that although preparation for the course requires considerable time, such service learning is meaningful. He believes that creating a fully English-speaking environment for children in elementary school through such activities may make English more different and meaningful for them, rather than just being a subject with many exams.

Furthermore, the course's greater rewards also come from the heartwarming interactions between individuals. For example, when National Sun Yat-sen University students visited Xinyi Elementary School, English teacher Li Tinglian would always take time to write feedback to the university students after listening to their picture book readings, not only giving them encouragement but also sharing educational experiences. Li Tinglian stated, "Seeing the dedication of university students, I always feel that this little bit of work is something I should do." Wang Pinhui believes that when each other's dedication and efforts are recognized, the rewards are not just tangible knowledge but also valuable experiences, creating a positive cycle.

Image/Text/Assistant Professor Wang Pinhui, Hu Yifan Editing/Public Affairs Department