Bilingual 2030: The Method

We have complimented, criticized, and analyzed the bilingual policy for quite some time by now. Since there hasn't been much or any information on just how actually can learners become bilingual, here's one way. Believe it, because all you need is you.

Allow us to introduce our program: Amazing Speaker-phase III. Since the pandemic last year, we had a happy accident and entered phase II, which is everything online. Four months ago today(the 20th), we just entered phase III a handful of learners but look at us now. We couldn't be more proud. Everyone comes together and shows one another what they've got.

Free The Language was founded on the principle of learning for real, not for test, study, or the thought of inferiority. We started out in the field, sometimes literally in the field where there are trees and grass. Phase I was mostly learning in cafes. Each week a news topic would be brought up to 1-on-1 learners for intensive assistance or a group of learners for discussion and frankly, socializing.

We did that for three years! It was until COVID-19 hit us and everyone had to go home. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Online learning wouldn't have worked if not forced upon us, Andy included. For as long as FTL started, authenticity has been the major factor. One of the goals is to help learners realize that English isn't in the classroom, or better yet, the world IS the classroom; it's possible to learn and speak everywhere! That was why even when online teaching was viable or even requested, Andy didn't want any.

On second thought, do we teach in our favor or that of students'? It's obviously the latter but the result is the same. We all benefit from this leap of faith. We work with what we got, not what we want. And that's how phase II kicked off.

It was more than just a change of meeting. We, the groups, are constantly evolving. There were people from everywhere in Taiwan and from all walks of life. Through each topic, learners, as well as teachers, had more than just learned something about English but about ourselves. You would find it fascinating how people let their guards down when speaking a different language, which is a good thing. Let's not pretend and just be honest. No hard feelings or awkward moments!

OK OK, what's phase III?

As FTL progressed, knowing that learners become more at ease with speaking, we knew this is the right thing to continue doing and pushing further. A teacher-led discussion will always result in teacher-led discussions. Therefore, EVERYONE was required to participate in a group presentation on a separate day(Sunday) since we initiate phase III. A good teacher doesn't just teach the same things over and over again to different students. It is our responsibility to lead, push the boundaries, and experiment with new techniques.

Here's how it works and we're not afraid if someone steals it.

Learners are gathered in groups of three for a one-hour discussion on a topic. Each month there's a theme, each week a topic, and each learner gets to work on their title. For example, a theme could be "introduce", a topic "school", and a creative title like "What's wrong with my school?". Make no mistake that the learners NEED to prepare before and after the meeting. Don't expect the teacher to tell you everything so you could memorize and recite. It is the teacher's job to guide, not to do for learners. Teachers could help by teaching you how to explore ideas, build structure, and give a good show but it is ALWAYS the responsibility of learners to work for their gains.

How does Amazing Speaker help students want to improve willingly? Good question. Through group presentations where everyone could see one another's effort, a little thing called shame would rise up. If you prepared very well, instead of shame, pride would take place. What happens if there's someone who just doesn't care? Quit or get fired. We're very glad that so far this has not happened.

A good indicator of how this program helped generate "self-learn" is that learners are voluntarily spending time making PowerPoints for their presentations. In the beginning, it was just a suggestion to help them feel less nervous, as visual aids. When presenters see how one person did it, they soon follow. This is co-learning, a hidden element that plays a crucial role in the program.

Is everything all sunshine and rainbows? Absolutely not. Complaints on needing more time, excuses for poor performance, being reluctant to revise according to advice...etc. are all serious obstacles to learners themselves. No one's perfect and we're not trying to be, either. The goal was never to be "very good" but better.

How much better do you think these children could potentially be in 8 years, from elementary to college, learning like this? They don't even have to stay because once they get the essence, the wheels on the bus would go round and round. There won't be any stopping once you know how to learn. At that time, choosing Free The Language would merely be a preference, not a necessity.

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