30 Years of Connection with Taiwan: Rooted in Faith and Educational Mission<\/p>\n
Recalling her connection with Taiwan, Leanne Eyerman smiled and said that she first set foot on Taiwanese soil in 1990 and joined Ming Chuan University as an English conversation teacher in 1995. Initially, she was only invited to participate in frontline teaching, but she never expected to stay for over thirty years, growing alongside Ming Chuan University.<\/p>\n
Speaking of her decision to travel across the ocean, Leanne Eyerman, a devout Christian, emotionally expressed that it was a mission and calling given to her by God, hoping to share Jesus’ love with more people through education and daily life. The warmth, friendliness, and inclusiveness of the Taiwanese people were also important reasons why she decided to consider Taiwan her second home and dedicate herself to it long-term.<\/p>\n
Now serving as the Director of the US Office at Ming Chuan University, although currently based in the US promoting school affairs and student recruitment, she emphasizes that Taiwan will always be a part of her heart. “I also have a goddaughter in Taiwan who is like family to me, and I have very deep feelings for both Taiwan and the US.”<\/p>\n
“Not being afraid to make mistakes” is the only secret to learning Mandarin.<\/p>\n
As a Westerner, speaking Mandarin so fluently, with its challenging structure and intonation, requires considerable effort. Sharing her own Chinese learning journey, Leanne Eyerman smiled and said that she was very slow at first, often making mistakes and blunders, but her secret to success was “never being afraid to make mistakes.”<\/p>\n
She shared a unique learning tip\u2014actively chatting with children. “Children are the most innocent; they’ll correct you directly if they hear a pronunciation or word choice error\u2014they’re the best Chinese teachers!” Leanne Eyerman believes that as long as you have an open mind, are willing to accept corrections and correct them immediately, and practice consistently, you’ll definitely see progress.<\/p>\n
She humorously says that learning Chinese is actually like Taiwanese elementary school students practicing writing Chinese characters: “There really are no shortcuts; it’s just about practicing and practicing!” The US Office to Recruit Students Next Month, Expanding Chinese Language Education in Taiwan.<\/p>\n
With increasingly frequent educational exchanges between Taiwan and the US, Ming Chuan University’s US Office is about to reach a new milestone. Leanne Eyerman revealed that the US Office is expected to officially launch recruitment next month, and the relevant recruitment mechanisms and systems are already in place. Initially, two degree programs will be offered, and more diverse academic cooperation programs will be gradually expanded in the future.<\/p>\n
In addition to recruiting general degree students, Leanne Eyerman is also looking to non-native Chinese speakers. She stated that Ming Chuan University already possesses a well-established Chinese language teaching center and abundant resources. In the future, the US office will vigorously promote Chinese language education primarily for Westerners, attracting more American youths to Taiwan to learn Chinese, experience Taiwan’s unique culture and hospitality, and make Chinese language education another major highlight of Ming Chuan’s development in the United States.<\/p>\n