Foreign teachers in Yilan get a taste of farming life

A group of overseas Fulbright scholars worked in the rice paddies of Yilan County for a day March 5 to gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan’s rice culture.

They were there at the invitation of the Yilan County Government and Wujie Township’s Farmers' Association. It was the first time any of them had ever worked in a rice paddy, and all of them were thrilled by the novel experience, even though they ended up with dirt on their faces. Their high spirits also spread to the farmers who were guiding them.

The 16 scholars are teaching English at elementary schools in Taiwan. The county government decided to take advantage of the rice transplanting season to give them the chance to experience the life of a Taiwanese farmer.

Veteran farmers were called upon to show them the ropes, and some students from Hsiaowei Elementary School were also on hand to accompany the teachers into the fields.

Li Lin-chin, head of the farmers' association, had a conical straw hat ready for each of the visiting teachers.

Under the tutelage of farmer Chen Te-chih, everyone began the task at hand. Upon hearing that farmers traditionally smear mud on their faces as a form of sun screen, the teachers initially hesitated to try the practice on themselves. When they finally relented, the atmosphere on the farm became boisterous.

Chen Teng-chin, director of the Yilan County Office of Education, told the Fulbright scholars that in Taiwan, farmers receive subsidies and encouragement from the government not to grow food.

In modern-day Taiwan, he added, students are eating about as much processed wheat as they do rice. Additionally, nearly all school-aged children have never experienced the growing of food, just like the Fulbright group.

Officials said they hope the outing will allow the teachers to share their experiences with the students of Taiwan and provide them with material to use in the classroom.

(Source: Liberty Times)