Jonathan Woods / Nei-Hu School Teacher
Over a coffee several weeks ago, I commented to my friend about 
theimpression that those who know me well in Canada, my home
country,must have about my life in Taiwan.They imagine that it is exotic, stimulating, overwhelming, and challenging. It certainly is. Three months ago I arrived in this country, and the experience immediately filled me to my pores, quite literally. By the time I had walked from the airport to the car, I had perspired through my shirt! Such was the very first shock upon my arrival in this wonderful country, and the novelty continued.
As I commented to my friend, though, one needs little time to acclimatize, both in body and mind. Soon the overwhelming experience is refined to a smaller, dearer world that is right at hand - the world of the students, the teachers, and the American Eagle Institute. Once the initial surprise of the arrival leaves, one settles comfortably into life in Taiwan, and the accompanying food, language, customs, and people. American Eagle was key to my transition from an unfamiliar new arrival to an English teacher. The director of the school, along with my coworkers, expended an enormous amount of energy and time to make my transition smooth in order to allow me to be at my best in the classroom. I owe to them a debt of gratitude.
American Eagle Institute is the point around which my small world in Taipei revolves. As a teacher, I am very lucky. I teach at a brand new school, and experience each day in the company of wonderful students, all of whom have enthusiastic and involved parents. I am educated as a teacher in Ontario, Canada, and can assure you that most teachers would be envious of the involvement and positive attitude that people in this country show toward education.
In my small world, the students make my day. They are pleasant, endearing, eager, intelligent, and funny. Teaching these children is as much a joy to me as learning English seems to be to them. I have always thought that if a student can use humor in a second language, then he or she is coming along very well. Everyone in my classes, to a student, makes me laugh. I am proud to be a part of this process.
The most recent major event in the school was the Halloween party. This event was an immense success. The students experienced a mask workshop, a piñata, a fashion show, and a house of horrors, as well as a healthy bit of trick or treating around the neighborhood. This experience, in all honesty, rivals any Halloween party I had as a student. The students were brilliant. This event fit right in with the philosophy of education at AEI: Engage the students.
Learning a second language is a fantastic pursuit and advantage. In the professional world, a second language increases one's marketability. In terms of living, a second language adds depth and richness to one's experience. The families who have enrolled students in American Eagle have made an excellent choice. The families have the vision and determination to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity, and AEI has the curriculum, philosophy, teachers, and attitude to ensure that the students reach their goals, and do so in a fun and interesting fashion.
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