The well-known French classic "The Little Prince" contains the famous quote: "The things that truly matter need to be seen with the heart."
Associate Professor Luo Shih-Lung of the Department of Chinese Literature at National Tsing Hua University, a member of the teacher training committee, led secondary school Chinese language teachers and students to explore with the EX-Asia Theatre Company how drama can make Chinese language teaching more profound and engaging. The theatre company reinterpreted familiar textbook passages, naturally integrating the spirit of interdisciplinary aesthetics projects and SEL education into high school Chinese language teaching; it also allowed the teachers and students to rediscover the vibrant beauty within their own hearts through the black box.

A Chinese language teacher trainee in Miaoli met The Little Prince.
"When I was six years old, I read a book called 'The Truth of Nature.' There was a picture in it of a large python devouring a wild beast." "The dark night sky stretched endlessly, the twinkling stars winked at me—how vast! How free! I thought, I thought, I wished my soul could fly freely up there!"

These lines, reminiscent of lines from *The Little Prince*, are from Singaporean playwright Guo Baokun's play *The Night I Wanted to Go to Heaven*. Led by Chongtham Jayanta Meetei and Lin Pei-an, directors of the EXTHEATRE ASIA/EX-Asian Theatre Company, teacher trainees from the Chinese Language and Literature Department of National Tsing Hua University, participating in the # Interdisciplinary Aesthetic Education Excellence Pilot Program, explored the possibilities of theatre in Miaoli, attempting to understand how to integrate the methods and spirit of drama into high school Chinese language teaching. Familiar textbook texts were connected to script excerpts provided by the theatre company, transforming them into stars in a black box, illuminating the language and literature hearts of every young teacher trainee, giving each of us a wealth of emotion—the very essence of SEL education!

After the physical workshop concluded, Jayanta introduced his connection to Singapore's multiculturalism and discussed the diversity of the "Meeting the Little Prince" performance and intercultural dialogue across Asia. A student asked what role drama could play in secondary school classrooms. Jayanta thought for a moment and gave four answers: developing personal character, learning self-expression, transforming ideas into concrete actions, and fostering teamwork. These are undoubtedly the most practical skills teacher trainees can learn through drama! Specially prepared Indian milk tea was also provided – a warming drink that soothed the stomach and comforted the heart! From language to art, emotion is our common language!