“530 Classroom” in Taitung Sustains Bunun Language Through Community Effort

Taitung, where many Indigenous peoples of Taiwan live, Luanshan Village, a classroom known as the “530 Classroom” is sustained by a local woman called “Mother Wang.” She is also a janitor at a primary school.

Mother Wang is not willing to see the Bunun language gradually fade with generational change. She therefore takes on the responsibility to promote and educate students within the community, seeking to preserve her culture.

She spends time with children who lack care every day after school. Through these daily interactions, she weaves the Bunun language into their lives, allowing it to be learned naturally. She also spends her own money preparing snacks and meals, ensuring that the children are not only able to learn, but are also cared for and well-fed.

Mother Wang understands that an immersive learning environment is important for language learning. That is why she put this into action by creating the “530 Classroom” to reinforce children’s cultural identity.

Despite limited resources, she has ignited a spark of education and culture, illuminating the path of growth for the children. It is also nurturing the strength needed for the community to carry its culture into the future.

以下為中文對照

一位在部落留下教育火種的人：王媽與530教室

在台東鸞山部落，有一間充滿溫度的「530教室」，由被孩子們親切稱為「王媽」的在地人士默默守護。身為小學工友的她，不忍布農族語在世代交替中逐漸流失，於是主動在部落推動族語教學，將文化傳承的責任扛在肩上。

​每天放學後，她把缺乏照顧的孩子們聚集起來，陪伴他們寫功課、說故事，並透過日常互動教導布農族語，讓語言自然融入生活。更自掏腰包準備點心與餐食，讓孩子在學習之餘也能獲得溫飽與關懷。

「530教室」不僅是課後照顧的空間，更是一處文化扎根的基地。王媽以實際行動實踐「族語生活化、文化生活化」，讓孩子在熟悉的部落環境中學習自己的語言與文化。

在資源有限的條件下，她點燃了一把教育與文化的火種，也照亮了孩子們的成長之路。這份無私的付出，不只是守護語言，更為部落未來培養延續文化的力量。

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