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"Children in Taiwan should be given an international education."
Based on this concept, Maple Leaf's Executive, Mr. William Ho and
Mr. Brian Wu from Ha PoComputer English decided to formally introduce
a Montessori education system toTaiwan in the year 2000 establishing
the Dun Nan Branch (Teaching both English and French) and Sung-Chiang
Branch. Now the children at Maple Leaf are able to receive an education
of international quality without ever leaving the island.
According to Mr. William Ho, Montessori education system does not
only use the teaching material as teaching tools, but also focuses
on the students as the main topic in the class. Therefore, teachers
play an assistant role to individual student, unlike the traditional
"Direct Order System". Based on the observation of each
student learning in a mutual interactive group, teachers are able
to make the necessary adjustments on teaching skills , materials
( teaching aids ) and learning environment in order to bring out
each student's independent personality and learning potential .
The biggest difference between the Maple Leaf and other Kindergartens
are that children educated here have their basic skills attentively
strengthened and their worldview broadened .
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From
here, children can enhance their self-discipline without being
rewarded or
punished as per the traditional system . All the while, children
will gradually and automatically learn from their daily lives,
their routines, their own observations on the world around and
in language skill . It is a self-learning development and this
is the major difference in education between Taiwan and western
countries. Mr. William Ho insisted that the lack of making adjustments
as the situation demands is what most general English institutions
do not have. Children would be stunned if there is any sudden
change. However, in Montessori, children are encouraged to make
their own adjustments with a little aid from the teacher at
his side.
Children's daily lives in Maple Leaf are
recorded for further evaluation as well. All teachers are
also required to analyze each individual student's learning
process on a monthly basis and make the final report on CDROM
for the parents' reference. So that they are able to know
what their children are learning and doing from month to month.
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A
new Maple Leaf International Montessori institution was established
earlier this year on Jen-Ai Road, one of the busiest streets in Taipei.
Within the first 6 months, Maple Leaf would need to expand due to
the excessive number of new students, many of whom are from families
of celebrities. By installing the Montessori education system, children
are educated by interacting with others thus developing good social
skills. In all, children will learn English, French and Mathematics
as well as how to understand the concept of sharing and communication
with others.
A loving environment is what every one feels the minute they step
into Maple Leaf.Mixing different ages in teaching makes Maple Leaf
like a one big family. In classrooms, children comfortably form
circles and chat with 2~3 teachers fluent in English. Children in
Maple Leaf not only can learn to speak English, they can also proudly
and elegantly present themselves when meeting new people, facing
the press and in front of cameras.
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