International Postgraduates’ Involvement in English Storytelling Volunteer Project for Taiwanese Children

Abstract

English is a foreign language in Taiwan. Still, there is rising interest in mastering the English language, and parents tend to send children for tuition and enrichment activities. Even public libraries carry out English-based activities during weekends, which include interactive community programs like English storytelling. Organizers for these activities oftentimes invite international university students as volunteers since this encourages a total immersion experience among the children. Similarly, the Office of International Affairs at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) brings together postgraduate international students to help with the volunteer activity at nearby public libraries to support English enrichment initiatives. However, given the academic nature of postgraduate students, volunteer recruitment and retention practices may be challenging due to demanding postgraduate academic schedules and volunteering commitments. This study sought to understand international students' motivation to volunteer in helping Taiwanese children learn English. Twelve volunteers were recruited from different nationalities among postgraduate students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and five themes were thematically interpreted. These findings may suggest avenues to recruit and retain volunteers for English storytelling volunteer programs among postgraduate students.