在人潮與鑼鼓聲交織的遶境現場，一群外籍學生跟隨香燈腳緩步前行，親身走入臺灣最具代表性的宗教盛事—大甲媽祖遶境。國立高雄大學語文中心近日帶領外籍學生組成11人的小型學習團，前往嘉義新港地區，透過實地參與與文化導入課程，將語言學習延伸至真實文化場域，打造沉浸式學習經驗。

(Amid crowds and the rhythmic sounds of gongs and drums, a group of international students joined the procession, walking alongside devotees in one of Taiwan’s most iconic religious events—the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage. The Language Center of National University of Kaohsiung recently led a small group of 11 international students to Xingang, Chiayi. Through on-site participation and cultural instruction, the program extended language learning into real cultural contexts, creating an immersive learning experience.)

高雄大學語文中心主任陳志文表示，此次課程以臺灣代表性宗教文化為核心，結合語言學習與在地場域體驗，回應高等教育國際化發展趨勢。透過實地參與媽祖遶境，學生得以在真實情境中理解語言使用脈絡，深化跨文化溝通能力，也展現大學將在地文化轉化為教學資源的實踐方向。

(According to Director Jyh-wen Chern, the program centered on Taiwan’s representative religious culture, integrating language learning with local field experiences. By participating in the pilgrimage, students were able to understand language use in authentic contexts, enhancing their cross-cultural communication skills while demonstrating how universities can transform local culture into educational resources.)

在教學設計上，語文中心華語老師蔡佩吟指出，本次課程採「文化先導、情境參與」模式，行前引導學生掌握媽祖遶境相關詞彙、儀式意涵與民間信仰脈絡，再進入現場觀察與互動，使學生不僅停留於活動參與，更能理解其背後的文化邏輯與象徵意義。華語老師王菁苗亦表示，沉浸式學習能有效促進學生主動提問與交流，例如與香燈腳對話、觀察信仰行為等，這些都是課堂中較難取得的學習經驗，並有助於培養從文化視角理解臺灣社會的能力。

(In terms of instructional design, instructor Pei-yin Tsai explained that the course adopted a “culture-first, contextual participation” approach, preparing students with key vocabulary, ritual meanings, and the cultural context of folk beliefs before entering the field. This allowed students to go beyond participation and understand the cultural logic and symbolic meanings behind the event. Instructor Ching-miao Wang added that immersive learning encourages active questioning and interaction—such as engaging with participants and observing religious practices—experiences that are difficult to replicate in the classroom and that help students develop the ability to understand Taiwanese society from a cultural perspective.)

實地課程亦融入多元文化體驗，學生走訪香藝文化園區，透過製香、品香與香包製作等活動，從感官層面理解「香」在宗教文化中的象徵與情感連結；下午則進入遶境核心場域，沿新港地區路線參與活動，跟隨香燈腳的步伐隨行，並於新港代天宮周邊進行觀察與體驗，實際感受遶境隊伍的行進節奏與集體儀式，並參與「鑽轎腳」等傳統文化行為。在人潮推進與儀式節奏之中，學生不僅是觀察者，更成為文化現場的一部分。

(The field course also incorporated diverse cultural experiences. Students visited a cultural park focused on incense, where they engaged in activities such as incense-making, appreciation, and crafting sachets, gaining a sensory understanding of the symbolic and emotional role of incense in religious culture. In the afternoon, they entered the core pilgrimage route in Xingang, walking alongside participants and observing rituals around Xingang Fengtian Temple. They experienced the rhythm of the procession and collective rituals, including participating in traditional practices such as passing under the palanquin. In this dynamic environment, students became not only observers but also participants in the cultural setting.)

一名越南籍學生阮翠任表示：「現場真的很震撼，大家為同一個信念一起前進，這在我的國家很少見。」過程中，印尼籍學生Susan與香燈腳交流，得知對方因曾向媽祖許願，特地隨香遶境以履行承諾、完成還願。這樣「許願—實踐—還願」的生命循環，使學生具體理解臺灣民間信仰並非抽象儀式，而是一種深植日常生活的行動實踐。多數學生亦認為，親身走入遶境現場，比課堂更能理解語言背後所承載的文化意涵與價值。

(A Vietnamese student, Nguyen Cui-ren, shared, “The experience was truly overwhelming. Seeing everyone move forward with a shared belief is something rarely seen in my country.” During the event, an Indonesian student, Susan, spoke with a participant who explained that they joined the pilgrimage to fulfill a vow made to Mazu. This cycle of “making a vow, fulfilling it, and giving thanks” helped students understand that Taiwanese folk religion is not merely ritualistic, but a practice deeply embedded in everyday life. Many students noted that experiencing the pilgrimage firsthand allowed them to better understand the cultural meanings and values behind the language.)

語文中心指出，小型學習團的設計有助於提升學習深度與現場互動品質，使學生更貼近文化情境，強化觀察與理解能力，是「文化沉浸式學習（immersive learning）」的重要實踐。中心亦持續推動「文化場域導向之華語教學」發展策略，以臺灣在地文化為語言學習基礎，落實「文化即教材、場域即教室」理念，並於近年規劃茂林生態走讀、飲食文化實作等課程，進一步將宗教文化納入教學設計，使學生在真實情境中深化語言運用與跨文化理解，持續建構具系統性的國際華語教育場域。

(The Language Center emphasized that small-group learning enhances depth of learning and quality of interaction, allowing students to engage more closely with cultural contexts. This approach represents a key practice of immersive learning. The center continues to promote a “culture-based Mandarin teaching” strategy, using Taiwanese local culture as the foundation for language learning and embracing the concept of “culture as teaching material, and the field as the classroom.” Through programs such as ecological field trips and food culture workshops, the center integrates religious culture into its curriculum, enabling students to deepen their language application and cross-cultural understanding in real-life contexts.)

更多課程資訊、報名方式及相關注意事項，請參閱本中心「官方網站」或招生課程專區之「華語課程」。