Part 1 – International Letter Exchange on Campus Introduction and Food Culture.

Written by: Ms Chong Jia Xin
Photos by: Ms Cho Yin Yin & Ms Chong Jia Xin

    After initiating letter exchanges and online video call interactions with Minquan Junior High School in Taiwan last year, it is an honour to continue this exchange programme this year. In the 20 letters written by students from Minquan Junior High School this year, they introduced their school campus and Taiwan’s food culture. The letters were filled with enthusiastic descriptions and vivid photographs of their respective themes, which deeply moved and encouraged our students to give their all in the letter exchange.

Programme Objectives:
1. To encourage intercultural engagement and improve students’ English writing proficiency among students.
2. To connect students from different countries and expose them to diverse perspectives on their environments and lifestyles.
3. To strengthen global friendship and mutual understanding between Malaysian and Taiwanese students.

Letter Exchange Progress:
Participating in the letter exchange on behalf of Chung Hua Independent High School were volunteer students from J3IN, J3JU, and J2IN. These classes also participated in the letter exchange last year; therefore our students were ebullient to write reply letters in response to their friends in Taiwan. Twelve students from Junior 3 and 12 students from Junior 2 volunteered to write reply letters. Each student was assigned a theme and topic for their letter, Junior 3 students were assigned to write about the school campus, while Junior 2 students were tasked with introducing local traditional foods.

Each student was assigned a letter from a Minquan Junior High School student to respond to. A three-step process was implemented to ensure the quality and efficiency of the letter-writing process: students were first asked to submit a draft for review, then write the final version after approval, and finally compile their letters with the photographs they had taken.

Throughout the process, the students were proactive and cooperative. They wrote diligently in their letters, sharing not only descriptions of the assigned topics but also their personal thoughts and passion for them. With the guidance of their respective English teachers, Ms Chong Jia Xin and Ms Cho Yin Yin, the students wrote creatively in their letters. They discussed their writing with their peers and teachers to ensure the successful completion of their tasks, and even took creative photographs of the school campus and exquisite delicacies to provide a more immersive experience for their pen pals. After the letters were written, the Academic Affairs Department compiled and sent the letters to Minquan Junior High School in April.

Building Cultural Connections Across the Sea Through Letters During the month-long process of preparing the letters, students showed incredible improvement in their writing skills, as well as gained a deeper understanding of different school environments and food cultures. Moreover, students also learned more about their own cultural environment while researching the topics they were given. We are proud of our students for successfully completing their assigned tasks within the given timeframe. Minquan Junior High School has also sent a photograph showing that the letters were received. We hope that the friendship and collaboration between Chung Hua Independent High School and Minquan Junior High School will continue to grow stronger in the years to come.

Acknowledgements
Special thanks to the following departments and staff members for guiding and supporting the students throughout this meaningful exchange programme:
Academic Affairs Department: Mr Lee Chong Aik (Head), Woo Bao Zhe (Assistant)
English Department: Ms Chong Jia Xin and Ms Cho Yin Yin