Early Learning, Lasting Impact: Supporting Taiwan's Elementary English Teachers
Reflections on Early Learning in Context.
4 August 2026 I The Queensland Institute
Fifty Taiwanese teachers joined QI in Brisbane for an unforgettable professional learning experience.
Early Learning matters.
Early learning is where children fall in love with language.
A child's first experiences of learning English shape far more than vocabulary and grammar. They build curiosity, confidence and the courage to communicate—qualities that can inspire a lifelong love of language.
Behind every one of those moments is a teacher.
Since 2022, The Queensland Institute (QI) has proudly partnered with National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) and the Taiwanese Ministry of Education – K–12 Education to support the professional learning of Taiwanese teachers.
Together, we've worked with hundreds of educators who share a common purpose: to create engaging English learning experiences for young learners.
Context makes learning meaningful.
Great professional learning starts with the local context—but grows through international perspectives.
Taiwan's elementary English teachers work within a distinctive educational environment. They balance curriculum requirements with increasing expectations around communicative language teaching, teaching English through English and the meaningful use of technology.
Our role is not to ask teachers to become Australian teachers. It is to understand the realities of their classrooms, recognise the expertise they already bring and co-create opportunities to explore ideas they can adapt for their students.
At the same time, cultural and linguistic immersion offers something equally valuable.
Experiencing Australian schools, engaging in professional dialogue with local educators and communicating in English throughout everyday life allows teachers to view familiar challenges through a different lens. The key question is not, "How do Australians teach?" but rather, "What ideas might strengthen learning for my students?"
That balance between local relevance and international perspective has been central to our partnership with NTNU since 2022.
Blended learning adds educational value.
Technology should enhance professional learning—not simply deliver it.
In 2026, 50 Taiwanese elementary English teachers joined a three-week blended professional learning program, beginning with one week of live online learning before continuing with two weeks in Brisbane.
The online component enabled participants to build relationships, strengthen their digital teaching capability and establish a collaborative learning community before arriving in Australia. By the time the Brisbane component began, participants were ready to engage confidently from the first day.
The following two weeks combined professional learning with cultural and linguistic immersion, providing opportunities to experience Australian education, culture and language in authentic contexts.
Learning happens everywhere.
Some of the most powerful professional learning happens beyond the workshops.
For the second consecutive year, the Brisbane component of the QI program was hosted by Duchesne College at The University of Queensland. We extend our sincere thanks to the Duchesne College community for its warm hospitality, generosity and continued support in providing such an inspiring environment for learning, reflection and connection. And, delicious lamingtons and vanilla slice for morning tea!
School visits also formed an important part of the immersion experience. At John Paul International College and Moreton Bay College, participants observed classrooms, toured the campuses and engaged in professional dialogue with Australian educators. These experiences encouraged teachers to compare educational approaches, reflect on their own practice and consider how new ideas might be adapted within Taiwanese elementary classrooms.
We are sincerely grateful to the leadership teams, teachers and students at both schools for welcoming our participants so generously and sharing their classrooms, expertise and educational communities.
Impact is measured in classrooms.
The true measure of professional learning is what teachers take home.
The strongest evidence of impact comes from the teachers themselves.
"[This teacher training program] reignited my passion for teaching. It has given me the confidence to return to my classroom with new ideas and teaching strategies.”
“I can see the QI team really loves each other. They work together so well and design professional, practical and interesting lessons. I will definitely use the activities I learned at QI after going back to my own classroom and share with my colleagues!"
"I have never regretted applying for this program. It is the best workshop I have attended in my career so far... I did my research before choosing QI, and just as I expected, QI was the perfect choice. If teachers want to rekindle their passion for teaching or improve their English teaching skills, I would highly recommend this course."
These reflections were echoed repeatedly in the weekly program evaluations. 100% of participants reported that the program contributed positively to their professional learning, said they would recommend the program to other teachers, and importantly, reported increased confidence teaching English through English.
Lasting impact.
When teachers continue learning, young learners continue thriving.
For us, these outcomes reinforce an important principle: effective international professional learning is built on partnership, trust and a genuine understanding of teachers' contexts. It combines local relevance with international perspectives, evidence-informed practice with cultural and linguistic immersion, and shared learning with lasting professional relationships.
We are proud to continue our partnership with National Taiwan Normal University and grateful to the many educators, schools and organisations that have contributed to its success.
Together, we look forward to supporting more elementary English teachers as they help the next generation of learners fall in love with language.
Scroll through the program photo highlights below:
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