Mandarin Monkey Podcast E17 - Chat, Election, School & Stuff.
Nov 23, 2018
In this lively discussion, the hosts dive into Taiwan's buzzing election scene, sharing thoughts on its chaotic campaign atmosphere. They explore the differences in school subjects between Taiwan and England, revealing quirky classroom anecdotes. The conversation takes a fun turn with playful language games and cultural insights. They reflect on the challenges of teaching while contrasting respect toward educators in Taiwan with their experiences in the UK. Finally, they ponder the roles of tech leaders versus politicians in shaping a brighter future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Drama Class Shaped Learning Preference
- Tom describes his experience with drama in English school and how he loved the subject and teaching style.
- He contrasts creative, playful learning in England with quieter, more test‑focused schooling elsewhere.
Exam Culture Creates Passive Learners
- Tom and Ula notice Taiwanese learners excel at listening but lack speaking practice due to exam culture focused on reading and tests.
- This creates strong passive comprehension but limited conversational fluency.
School Rumors About Teachers
- Tom recounts school rumors about teachers, including wild stories about a headmaster and a drama teacher with band‑aids on her knuckles.
- The stories highlight how kids invent explanations and amplify gossip to explain odd adult behaviour.