為了培養國小學生學習英語的興趣與信心，並以有效的學習方法為目標，台中市府決心從英語師資、英語教材、教學資源與教學活動等四大面向，展開全方位的英語教育。

92年我們將英語教學向下延伸，由國小二年級開始實施這一個實驗計畫，是教育部備查之全國首案，也是地方縣市政府引進外籍合格英語教師之首例。94年我們引進外籍英語教師13名，分發至偏遠學校及資源中心學校進行協同教學，以提昇學習環境的品質及增加師生使用英語的機會。雖然本府財政拮据，仍於95年度編列預算繼續聘僱外籍英語教師，彰顯我們全心全力求好求進步。

英語教學要成功，首重在營造豐富的學習環境，讓學生在活動化、生活化和樂趣化的情境中自然學習。四年來，本府投入大筆的經費協助學校改善軟硬體設施，以提升教學品質及增進學生學習成效。此外，營造優質的雙語學習環境，重視校園環境雙語標示的建置，也是我們努力的方向。果然，本市重慶國小及惠文高中參加行政院研考會辦理之「93年度優質雙語生活環境評獎」，榮獲「特優」之獎項，誠屬不易。本府為激發各校積極落實多元化英語教學，更舉辦英語嘉年華闖關活動、英語話劇表演、歌謠比賽等全市性活動，每次的活動各校師生都積極參與，成效也讓人激賞。

我曾經自我期許，要「建構文化城，開一扇窗，讓孩子看到寬廣的世界」。因此，積極推動英語教育，貫徹實施英語教學，培育能運用英語溝通表達，以面對未來全球化挑戰的學生，是本人不變的承諾。我也會不遺餘力持續推動全民英語教育。我非常感謝各校校長和老師們的用心，更感謝家長們的支持。檢視本市實施英語教學的現況，展望未來，我們還要更創新、更卓越；讓我們攜手合作，共創邁向全球化的願景！

台中市市長胡志強

In order to develop students’interest and confidence in learning English, as well as to use effective learning methods to promote English learning for all citizens, the government has invested a lot of money, manpower, and resources on four areas: English teachers, English textbooks, teaching materials, and activities to expand the span of English education.

 Currently, the English course in Taichung City has been implemented in the elementary schools starting from grade two. Through recruitment of local and foreign English teachers, there is no concern for shortage of English teachers. The English teachers’professional quality has been maintained and improved through training courses, seminars, and observation of teaching classes. As for teaching material, the members in the English Education Committee have edited three textbooks and teaching aids. The content is based on the interest of students, and emphasizes a practical approach. Most importantly, the textbooks with the compact discs are sold together for only NT$50 for each volume, which is a good price for parents and other purchasers.

To be successful in teaching English, we must provide a rich living environment that immerges students with English-rich surroundings to keep students’interest in learning English. Therefore, we have invested a lot of money to improve the facilities in the schools. Efforts have been put forward in creating an English learning environment such as: making bilingual signs for school public facilities, publishing bilingual publications, constructing English websites, setting up English classrooms, and purchasing English storybooks for all schools. All of the above will help to advance our teaching quality and improve students’learning results. In addition, all schools are successful in creating a wonderful English learning environment by using various teaching methods, making good use of teaching resources, performing useful assessment, and providing extra help to learning-disadvantaged students. We also held many activities, such as the English carnival, Mini-play performance, and English singing competition  as assessment and they were well received.   

I once expected to establish a city of culture. Now I believe we are opening a window of opportunity for our children to see the world outside of Taichung. It is my promise to utilize all available resources to promote English education in order to establish students’communication skills and to increase their ability to face the challenge of the global environment. I am grateful to all the principals and teachers for their great efforts. The support from all the parents is valued. We hope all parents will continue to support the progress of this program. Let us continue to work together to fulfill our wish for a better future for our children.