Welcome to TAIWAN STEVE · English Breakthrough! (臺灣嘯天 · 英文突破), an online English learning experience specifically dedicated to Taiwan.
OK, first the name: “Taiwan Steve“ and the Chinese equivalent “臺灣嘯天” stem from a combination of a nickname friends in Boston, MA (USA) gave me and my Chinese name Luo Hsiao-t’ian (羅嘯天). My English name is “Steve Rabasco.”
As a long-time friend and student in Taiwan for over five years, I am uniquely qualified to understand your particular needs and frustration in tackling the English language. I know it can be challenging at times. I am a graduate of Harvard University (EdM – Masters in Education) and Columbia University (MIA – Master of International Affairs). I studied graduate courses in Chinese Literature at National Taiwan University (國立臺灣大學). I served as English Editor of Sinorama Magazine (光華雜誌) and taught English in Taiwan for years, including at Tunghai University (東海大學). I am a licensed attorney specializing in U.S. Immigration Law. (Please visit my LinkedIn page.)
My interest and affinity for the Chinese language and the people of Taiwan date back over four decades. As a child, I was fascinated by Chinese characters and determined to learn this amazing language on my own. So, starting in 1977, I began to memorize characters with flashcards one-by-one to the point that by the time I graduated high school, I amassed a bank of more than 3,000 individual characters, enough to read a Chinese newspaper.
I chose to pursue my university studies in Taiwan and not China due to the great friendships I made with Taiwanese living in the U.S. and the fact that Taiwan uses Traditional or Complex characters. Taiwan is simply the all-around best place to learn Chinese. Taiwan is also home to the most successful students of English anywhere.
I want you to succeed! Whether you are a young adult or graduate student, my aim for you is to experience a BREAKTHROUGH! in your English language skills, studies, and fluency. I resided, studied, and worked in Taiwan for over five years, so I better understand your particular needs to tackle the English language successfully. Whether you choose individual one-on-one tutoring, Chinese-to-English translation, English editing services, or a learning package, please know that I will do my best to provide exceptional service and guide you through the learning experience.
Your English BREAKTHROUGH! is just a click away.
Sincerely,
Steve Rabasco, JD, EdM, MIA
