Xbox One vs. PS4 | Josh Fan – Grade 11

Xbox One vs. PS4 | Josh Fan – Grade 11

Both are actually fantastic consoles The PS4 costs a little less Most sports games are nicer on the Sony systems There are many different gaming devices out in the market. The two major ones right now are Xbox One and PS4. Both of them have advantages in various aspects and perform amazingly. Here are some […]

Things Taiwan should learn from Japanese public transportation | Tiger Yang – Grade 11

Things Taiwan should learn from Japanese public transportation | Tiger Yang – Grade 11

Japan’s open market forces private railroad companies to be competitive Cutting-edge technology keeps public transport incredibly safe Urban planning is based around public transportation Japan contains one of the world’s most developed public transportation networks. With over twenty thousand kilometers of railways spread across the land, and over 2000km of Shinkansen, known as high speed […]

The stages of a teenage relationship | Phil Wang – Grade 10

The stages of a teenage relationship | Phil Wang – Grade 10

The start of a relationship always begins with a crush The “I love you” period can be extreme for teenagers The Honeymoon phase is best and the worst period during a relationship People often hear the phrase, “a woman’s heart is like a needle in the sea”, but actually, there is another group of people […]

Are cartoons a good influence on children? | Claire Liao – Grade 8

Are cartoons a good influence on children? | Claire Liao – Grade 8

There are many positive cartoon characters that have educational value Many characters teach the importance of friendship and acceptance Cartoons can help a child’s speaking ability and vocabulary skills Children watch cartoons all the time and kids enjoy them very much. When children watch cartoons very often, they may be influenced by them. However, that […]

Android vs. iOS | Josh Fan – Grade 10

Android vs. iOS | Josh Fan – Grade 10

Apple has always been on the higher end of pricing iOS has a better quality app purchasing experience than Android Android comes out ahead as a system that can handle many mobile systems and doesn’t crash easily For years there have been two big systems competing in the mobile device market – Android and iOS. […]

Humanities vs. STEM in Taiwan | Irene Lin – Grade 11

Humanities vs. STEM in Taiwan | Irene Lin – Grade 11

Parents’ expectations heavily influence students’ choices Many Taiwan graduates still find themselves unprepared to enter the workforce Selecting learning tracks is an important event during Taiwanese students’ high school lives. For many teens, it’s the first time they’ve ever made a choice about their future on their own. Unlike elementary and secondary education, college provides […]

Kpop stars vs. Taiwanese stars: a break down | Theresa Liao – Grade 8

Kpop stars vs. Taiwanese stars: a break down | Theresa Liao – Grade 8

Kpop stars have to start training from an early age Taiwanese stars’ companies won’t spend as much money on their artists There are a lot of good-looking stars all over Asia, but the best ones are Kpop stars, and they’re definitely better than Taiwanese stars. People might say that they think they are the same, […]

Students should have iPads instead of textbooks at school | Estella Tong – Grade 8

Students should have iPads instead of textbooks at school | Estella Tong – Grade 8

Textbooks quickly become outdated iPads give teachers more control iPads are more convenient for projects As technology gets more and more important in our daily lives, schools are starting to buy iPads as educational tools. Teachers often use iPads to conduct their courses. Some believe that it’s easier to learn by using iPads, however, some […]

Why the NBA is better than the SBL | Ryan Yu – Grade 8

Why the NBA is better than the SBL | Ryan Yu – Grade 8

The NBA has more talented athletes than the SBL The NBA has more support and better marketing NBA events are overall more interesting Have you ever watched a basketball game on television? Probably. Have you ever heard of the SBL? Probably not. The SBL stands for the Super Basketball League in Taiwan. You probably know […]

Eastern Literature vs. Western: Why is it different? | Minnie Chen – Grade 10

Eastern Literature vs. Western: Why is it different? | Minnie Chen – Grade 10

Western authors often take a lot of time to describe characters’ feelings It is easy to understand the characters’ perceptions in western novels Plots in eastern novels often features characters working as a team Beginning in the Age of Discovery, western culture and eastern culture began to blend with each other. Western culture has seriously […]

OpEd: Trump is dismantling the Western Alliance | Brian Tu – Grade 11

OpEd: Trump is dismantling the Western Alliance | Brian Tu – Grade 11

If the Western Alliance were to crumble, peace would die out with it No member of the Western Alliance would like to see a closer bond between America and Russia Trump doesn’t recognize the importance of NATO Trump’s recent meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Helsinki has generated outrage in the US and around […]

5 topics to avoid when talking to Taiwanese people | Irvin Fang – Grade 10

5 topics to avoid when talking to Taiwanese people | Irvin Fang – Grade 10

Taiwan’s status is often confusing for tourists Better not ask a Taiwanese woman what her age is Insult people in Taiwan can result in a hefty fine When you travel to a new place you will meet and talk to people, but sometimes you will say the wrong things, and it will cause misunderstandings. Here […]

Why students shouldn’t go to international schools in Taiwan | Tricia Liao – Grade 11

Why students shouldn’t go to international schools in Taiwan | Tricia Liao – Grade 11

Without much free time, international students in Taiwan are often overly stressed Taiwan companies seldom offer internship opportunities Taiwanese parents believe more tests and homework are beneficial to students In order to have a strong educational background, studying abroad has become a trend among Taiwanese students. There were about 60,000 students who went abroad in […]

3 ways Rubik’s Cubes can improve your life | Patrick Ho – Grade 8

3 ways Rubik’s Cubes can improve your life | Patrick Ho – Grade 8

Solving a Rubik’s Cube can help improve your memory Rubik’s Cubes are fun and educational Solving a Rubik’s Cube is an impressive skill to learn Rubik’s Cubes are toys that can challenge everyone’s brain. Learning how to solve them can make a great impact in your life. There are a number of benefits from solving […]

6 best Taipei activities to fit in like a local | Carson Hu – Grade 10

6 best Taipei activities to fit in like a local | Carson Hu – Grade 10

Many landmarks in Taipei are easily accessible by public transportation The riverside is a great place to to take a break Taipei has no shortage of exhibitions Many tourists wonder where to visit and how to act in order to not look like a complete stranger when traveling. In order to avoid this in Taipei, […]

5 things Taiwan does better than the US | Brian Tu – Grade 10

5 things Taiwan does better than the US | Brian Tu – Grade 10

People are no longer shocked to hear about gunmen shooting up US schools US healthcare is comparatively bad and inefficient The US has some of the highest poverty rates in the world With all the political in-fighting, corruption, and disappointment in literally every politician that has been going on for quite a few years, it […]

Restaurant Review: Din Tai Fung | Stephanie Wang – Grade 8

Restaurant Review: Din Tai Fung | Stephanie Wang – Grade 8

Din Tai Fung is known for their popular soup dumplings This restaurant franchise has locations all over the world The service at Din Tai Fung is impeccable Taiwan has lots of delicious food, and one of the most famous places to get delicious food on the island is Din Tai Fung. Known for their popular […]

Indie artists in Taiwan | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

Indie artists in Taiwan | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

The are many overlooked Taiwanese music artists Indie bands in Taiwan are usually neglected by the public When looking at Taiwanese music, the first thing that comes to people’s mind are Pop songs. Jay Chou, Mayday, or any other well-known artists are the boundary of most people’s knowledge of Taiwanese music. However, if you look […]

Streaming and the donation system in Taiwan | Phil Wang – Grade 10

Streaming and the donation system in Taiwan | Phil Wang – Grade 10

Streamers get advertising fees, but they also earn an income through viewer donations Streaming is not as easy as it looks There is a lot of distrust around the idea of making donations to people who stream Streaming has become popular in Taiwan. Since YouTube has implemented the YouTube Partner Program, which is a program […]

Taiwan’s new labor policy: 5 things you need to know | Irene Lin, Grade 10

Taiwan’s new labor policy: 5 things you need to know | Irene Lin, Grade 10

The minimum wage in Taiwan is NT$22,000 Labor regulations have undergone two revisions since President Tsai Ing-wen took office Less than ideal working environments in Taiwan has forced some to look for employment overseas In Taiwan, NT$22,000 is the minimum wage a worker must be paid and also the starting line of salary for a […]

OpEd: Is banning plastic bags in Taiwan necessary? | Estella Tong – Grade 8

OpEd: Is banning plastic bags in Taiwan necessary? | Estella Tong – Grade 8

800 million tons of plastic has been thrown into the ocean Taiwan has banned stores from providing free plastic bags Keeping foldable bags with you during outings will make shopping more convenient Since 2002, Taiwan has stipulated stores like supermarkets, chained convenience stores, discount stores, etc. (a total of seven types of stores) must make […]

6 best teams in the NBA, 2018 | Joshua Fan – Grade 10

6 best teams in the NBA, 2018 | Joshua Fan – Grade 10

Only a few NBA teams really stand out All NBA teams are great because extreme talent is required to enter the league The National Basketball Association (NBA) was founded on June 6, 1946, in New York City. It is considered the best basketball league in the world. In it, there are tons of tremendous teams, […]

Should students be able to use cell phones in class? | Minnie Chen – Grade 10

Should students be able to use cell phones in class? | Minnie Chen – Grade 10

People have become more and more reliant on cell phones Using phones in class is disadvantageous to students’ learning process Since the invention of cell phones, people use them all the time. We have become more and more reliant on our phones. Also, they have caused a number of people to not be able to […]

What is EDM? | Irvin Fang – Grade 8

What is EDM? | Irvin Fang – Grade 8

EDM isn’t hard to produce You can make your own unique song by following a few simple steps EDM starts with a simple beat Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is one of the most popular types of music these days. EDM used to be heard exclusively at parties and nightclubs, but recently, people have been listening […]

3 reasons why all countries should have National Health Insurance | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

3 reasons why all countries should have National Health Insurance | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

With Single Payer Healthcare, those at a financial disadvantage won’t suffer high medical costs NHI helps prevent people from going into debt Taiwanese people spend nine times less than Americans on medical costs because of NHI Single Payer Healthcare is a system which insures a national population’s health care costs by legally compelling taxpayers to […]

228: Why it still matters | Carson Hu – Grade 10

228: Why it still matters | Carson Hu – Grade 10

228 has come and passed. On this particular day schools are closed and adults don’t have to go to work, with news about statues of Chiang Kai-shek (蔣中正) getting pulled down and portraits getting splashed with red paint being broadcast all day. Yet people are beginning to forget why we have the holiday in the […]

5 reasons why the 2018 World Cup will be awesome | Brian Tu – Grade 10

5 reasons why the 2018 World Cup will be awesome | Brian Tu – Grade 10

A few superstars have decided to retire after this final World Cup Iceland is the least populated country to have ever qualified for the World Cup Since it’s introduction to the world in 1930, FIFA has become the world’s most-watched sporting event Once every four years, the world comes together and holds its breath, celebrates, […]

The rise of convenience stores | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

The rise of convenience stores | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

In 2014, the number of convenience stores in Taipei reached over 10,000 One of the main reasons for the success of convenience stores is their management structure Convenience stores do a great job at being indispensable to people’s daily lives On the streets of Taipei City, the density of convenience stores is beyond imagination; there […]

Kpop stars vs. Taiwanese stars: a break down | Theresa Liao – Grade 8

5 Reasons Why K-pop Is So Popular | Claire Liao – Grade 7

K-pop songs are designed to be catchy Idols are usually trained for years before they produce their own music and albums Korean stars are known for their looks Korean Pop, or K-pop, is popular everywhere in the world, and you can often hear it on the streets and on the radio. For people that aren’t […]

Debate: 5 reasons why teens should NOT have social media | Lily Chen – Grade 8

Debate: 5 reasons why teens should NOT have social media | Lily Chen – Grade 8

A study shows over 80% of teenagers get online much more frequently than they need to Teens are more susceptible to depression when they worry about getting “likes” or “shares” Kids all around the world are impacted by cyberbullying every day This article is Part 2 of a debate over the merits and problems of […]

Review: Star Wars – The Last Jedi | Brian Tu – Grade 10

Review: Star Wars – The Last Jedi | Brian Tu – Grade 10

**spoiler alert** “Darkness rises and the Light to meet it.” Yes, after two long years of waiting, the eighth installment of the star-fighter battling, lightsaber flashing epic saga has finally arrived – and wow. With mind-shattering visuals, remarkable acting, and an unforgettable plot, it is truly the epitome of modern-day entertainment. Even so, it doesn’t […]

4 reasons why Taiwan’s news media sucks | Carson Hu – Grade 10

4 reasons why Taiwan’s news media sucks | Carson Hu – Grade 10

News media in Taiwan is well known for its disrespect of intellectual property Taiwan news is also full of product placement News outlets are notoriously biased Let’s be honest, news media in Taiwan sucks. They are imprecise, money driven, and have zero social responsibility. If they don’t fix their problems right now, they will self-destruct. […]

Debate: 5 reasons why teens should have social media | Estella Tong – Grade 8

Debate: 5 reasons why teens should have social media | Estella Tong – Grade 8

Social media apps make communicating with others easier They’re extremely convenient They make it easy to keep track of your favorite stars This article is Part 1 of an important debate regarding social media usage among teens. See Part 2 for why social media is a negative influence. As smartphones become more and more common, […]

Trends in Anime | Phil Wong – Grade 10

Trends in Anime | Phil Wong – Grade 10

Audience criticism has shaped the way anime has evolved Anime published before 2006 were focused on glorious battle scenes Around 2014, popular anime was suddenly all centered around girls When people hear the word anime, many tend to think about cartoons such as Doraemon or Fullmetal Alchemist or famous movies like Your Name or A […]

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why | Irene Lin – Grade 11

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why | Irene Lin – Grade 11

“I hope you’re ready, because I’m about to tell you the story of my life. More specifically, why my life ended. And if you’re listening to these tapes you’re one of the reasons why.” Plot Clay Jensen returns home to find a shoebox containing seven tapes with a number painted on each side. Speaking through […]

Universal Studios Japan v.s. Universal Studios Singapore | Estella Tong, Grade 8

Universal Studios Japan v.s. Universal Studios Singapore | Estella Tong, Grade 8

Universal Studios in Osaka spans 108 acres There are more shops and better souvenirs in the Japan theme park On the other hand, there are more things to eat in Singapore Universal Studios is one of the most exciting theme parks in the world. There are two in Asia, Universal Studios Japan (USJ) and Universal […]

5 places in Taiwan that tourists should visit | Irvin Fang, Grade 8

5 places in Taiwan that tourists should visit | Irvin Fang, Grade 8

Taiwan has a unique geography that can’t be found in any other country in the world Jade Mountain is Taiwan’s tallest mountain, at a height of 3,952 meters Qingshui Cliffs is one of the best places to watch the sunrise in Taiwan When the Portuguese first encountered Taiwan in the 16th century, their first words […]

5 reasons why high school entrance exams are awful | Brian Tu – Grade 10

5 reasons why high school entrance exams are awful | Brian Tu – Grade 10

Pressure and stress the final year of junior high is incredibly high Exams don’t really teach students how to think outside of the box Late nights spent studying aren’t healthy for a growing teenager Being a student in Taiwan is already horrible, but the final year of junior high school is basically purgatory. And it […]

4 Differences Between Chinese and English | Lily Chen, Grade 9

4 Differences Between Chinese and English | Lily Chen, Grade 9

The most commonly learned second language in Taiwan is English In Chinese, the verb stays the same even if tenses are different Chinese is the most commonly spoken language in the world Language is the most important and basic aspect of human civilization; because of it, we have the ability to communicate with others, express […]

4 books every 7th grader should read | Claire Liao, Grade 8

4 books every 7th grader should read | Claire Liao, Grade 8

Every 7th grader should read The Giver because readers need to think hard to understand the story The Hunger Games shows the read how great their lives are without needing to fight to the death against strangers Hatchet teaches the value of not giving up Reading is very important for students because it can help […]

Why cycling is the best | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

Why cycling is the best | Tiger Yang – Grade 10

Cycling is more than just traveling, it’s exercise Studies have shown that cycling is an extremely effective way of combating depression Cycling does less damage to the environment than cars or any other type of mechanized transportation Traveling has always been a great way for people to relax and have fun. However, people mostly travel […]

OpEd: Why the 1992 Consensus is important | Irene Lin – Grade 10

OpEd: Why the 1992 Consensus is important | Irene Lin – Grade 10

Instead of communicating with Beijing, President Tsai Ing-wen chose to strengthen the relationships with the U.S. and Japan The Philippines growing closer to China indicates America is losing its position of leadership Agreeing on the 1992 consensus could bring a major change to Taiwan’s international status The 1992 Consensus is a tacit understanding made by […]

OpEd: Should high schools cancel morning self-study? | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

OpEd: Should high schools cancel morning self-study? | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

Cram schools are often located far from students’ regular schools Morning study time helps students’ brain start functioning Schools shouldn’t blindly follow what the government says A frequently mentioned topic between high school students these days is the cancellation of morning study time. On December 1st, 2016, the Ministry of Education announced that starting from […]

Game of Thrones: Season 7 Review (**Spoiler Alert**) – Brian Tu – Grade 10

Game of Thrones: Season 7 Review (**Spoiler Alert**) – Brian Tu – Grade 10

With fire-breathing dragons, ice-cold zombies, and action-packed battles, Game of Thrones is the most popular TV show around. And after suffering one long year without Game of Thrones, fans were rewarded with the most intense and fast-paced season the show has ever offered. Still, plenty of fans were disappointed with the lack of political maneuvering, […]

5 reasons why Taiwan’s education drives students nuts | Estella Tong – Grade 8

5 reasons why Taiwan’s education drives students nuts | Estella Tong – Grade 8

Tests don’t only waste students’ time, it’s torturous Long days force students to stay up late to study Teachers in Taiwan like to give students homework even after big exams Taiwan’s education is very different compared to America’s. It really drives students nuts. Some students even have to go to bed at midnight! Here are […]

OpEd: 4 reasons why junior high math is useless | Kyle Huang – Grade 8

OpEd: 4 reasons why junior high math is useless | Kyle Huang – Grade 8

To most students, math classes are torture Math is just way too complicated to learn In modern times, robots and computers can compute math more effectively Modern junior high students face pressure from everyday school subjects. One particularly evil subject is math. It is basically too complicated and useless. Many math teachers and parents might […]

Will artificial intelligence take over? | Lily Chen – Grade 7

Will artificial intelligence take over? | Lily Chen – Grade 7

70-80% of jobs could be replaced by AI If AI has abilities to do everything better and faster than all humans, people may become “endangered” easily People should discover the difference between AI and human intelligence Recently, an AI (also known as Artificial Intelligence) program named AlphaGo made history by beating one of the top […]

The world of internet celebs | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

The world of internet celebs | Tricia Liao – Grade 10

Famous internet celebrities are often paid They also get sponsorships Sitting in front of a camera recording your random life can earn you thousands of dollars every year. Isn’t that a “dream come true?” Well, there is a group of people that live this dream. Being an internet celebrity is a job where people make […]

Op-Ed: The five day work week | Estella Tong – Grade 7

Op-Ed: The five day work week | Estella Tong – Grade 7

The “Five Day Work Week” policy is a strange and confusing policy for Taiwanese people Starting from December, any employees working overtime must be compensated To make up for revenue lost, a lot of employers are forced to find more workers Tsai Ing-Wen, the first female president in Taiwan, made lots of new policies. The […]

Teens Deserve A Chance To Change The World: Irene Lin – Grade 10

Teens Deserve A Chance To Change The World: Irene Lin – Grade 10

As future leaders of the world, youth should start making decisions for ourselves. We aren’t test machines for schools to gain fame nor people whose opinions can be thought of as a joke. In March 2014, a group of students occupied Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to protest the passing of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement in […]