Taichung: More than 400 overseas youth, including some of Taiwanese descent, recently completed a voluntary English teaching program in Taiwan. They taught at schools across the country, including remote areas, for two weeks.

According to Focus Taiwan, the government-sponsored “English Teaching Volunteer Service Program for Overseas Youth 2025” ran from July 5 to August 1. Participants aged 17-24, fluent in English, were recruited to teach at 68 elementary and junior high schools, including those in remote regions and on outlying islands.

A total of 409 young volunteers from 22 countries, including the United States, Australia, and South Africa, completed the program. It consisted of a week of intensive training followed by two weeks of teaching, as reported by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), one of the program organizers.

During a presentation event held in Taichung, OCAC deputy head Ruan Jhao-syong expressed gratitude for the volunteers’ contributions. He noted that over the past two decades, many young people have returned to Taiwan to engage with students, helping them connect with the world and gain international exposure. He also thanked the Ministry of Education and the Hakka Affairs Council for co-organizing this year’s program.

Among the volunteers was Andrea from California, who shared her experiences on stage. She noted that while some children might not fully understand English, they enjoyed the lessons through games and engaging teaching methods. She expressed gratitude to the OCAC for organizing the program and hopes to return to Taiwan to participate in similar activities in the future.

Another volunteer highlighted her memorable experience of helping children make slime and the valuable lessons she gained in return. She emphasized that while they came to teach English, the children taught them important lessons, such as always trying and asking questions when in doubt.

According to OCAC, since the program’s launch in 2006, more than 7,000 overseas youth have come to Taiwan to provide English teaching and engage in cultural exchange, reaching over 50,000 elementary and junior high school students.