Issuing Unit: Department of Education
The Yunlin County Government has been deeply committed to bilingual and international education. On the 31st, it hosted the “International Education Week Experience Day” at Huwei Elementary School, integrating the core goal of sustainable water resources. Through multicultural activities, cuisine, and interactive challenges, students learned languages and explored the world in a fun and engaging way, showcasing Yunlin County’s remarkable achievements in promoting bilingual education and global connectivity.
Today’s event featured cultural booths from eight countries—United States, Japan, South Africa, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Austria—offering traditional games, food, and cultural experiences. Each child who completed the challenges received a small gift and snack, fostering understanding and respect for diverse cultures in a joyful atmosphere.
County Magistrate Chang Li-shan, Deputy Magistrate Hsieh Shu-ya, and Councilor Huang Mei-ya attended the event dressed in traditional attire from countries such as Thailand and Vietnam. Together with over 800 teachers and students from eight local schools, they greeted the New Year in multiple languages by saying “Happy New Year,” joyfully welcoming 2026.
Magistrate Chang emphasized that the county government is dedicated to promoting bilingual education across all school levels, equipping children with bilingual proficiency and a global perspective to integrate into the global village. Bilingual teaching has been fully implemented in elementary and junior high schools across mountains, coastal, and plains regions, with more than 120 foreign teachers hired and local language educators engaged to ensure every school practices bilingual education.
Chang further noted that today’s event not only featured cultural experiences but also incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and smart technology activities, embedding sustainability concepts in education and nurturing students to become responsible global citizens committed to protecting the planet.
She added that although this event was limited by time, location, and participant numbers, the county government plans to replicate and expand this model to schools across different districts. Through experiential learning, children can acquire English and international cultural knowledge more efficiently and effectively.
Professor Cheng Sheng-yao of National Chung Cheng University remarked that Yunlin County has invested significant resources in international and bilingual education, earning strong support from teachers. Last summer, he invited 10 American teachers for in-person exchanges with Yunlin educators, and sister school agreements have already been signed, laying a solid foundation for deeper international connections. Future plans include at least three online exchanges annually, aiming for every Yunlin child to have international friends.
Deputy Magistrate Hsieh highlighted that this was a rare and valuable learning experience, allowing children to immerse themselves in diverse cultures without leaving their campus or boarding a plane. Through language learning and cross-cultural interaction, students can discover and love the world, building confidence to embrace global opportunities. She stressed that internationalization does not mean abandoning local roots but rather “starting from Yunlin and reaching out to the world,” enabling children to stand firm in their hometown while looking globally.
The Department of Education stated that the “International Education Experience Day” not only allowed students to experience multiculturalism firsthand but also sparked curiosity and a spirit of exploration, bringing the world into classrooms. It also strengthened their awareness of sustainability issues, encouraging them to embrace the world. Moving forward, the county will continue advancing bilingual and international education policies, integrating local characteristics with global perspectives to create a broader and more diverse learning platform for children.
SDGs Highlights:
SDG 4: Quality Education – Ensure inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education and promote lifelong learning.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthen global partnerships to support and achieve sustainable development goals.