"Baxter The Bear" goes to Taiwan

"Learning English is a very important aspect of education for young people in Taiwan, and parents are always searching for ways to encourage their children to take an interest in it. Song is an excellent means." These are the words of Nate Bennett, a native of the State of Maine(from the same town we live in - Windham) who has been teaching English in Taiwan for over 10 years. He and his wife Nini, own and operate a small school there. They teach primarily young children between the ages of 6-13.

He had been teaching some of the familiar children's songs like, "Old MacDonald", "This Old Man", etc. for several years. Then one day he found the "Alligator in the Elevator" CD that he'd brought to Taiwan but never used. At the time he was teaching children who had no English experience, and felt it might be too much, so he put it away. But he brought it out a few years later and began using it in the classroom. The kids LOVED "I Love Mud" and "I've Got a Staple in My Sock". Since then, he has taught "Where Do My Sneakers...", "Alligator in the Elevator", "I Hate My Name", "Baxter the Bear", and others. He told me that the younger children there really like them. English is really an important part of the curriculum in Taiwan, and there seem to be no English-language singers for children there yet. There are plenty of Chinese singers for children. He wonders how my songs would do in Taiwan? This is a question that goes through his head and mine as well.

Check out the videos that feature his students singing a couple of my songs "Baxter The Bear" and "I've Got a Staple In My Sock". The children and Nate are awesome.