04/04/2026
About our teachers, Pei and Joseph Spirito
Pei and Joseph came to Taitung 5 years ago from New York City. Pei was trained in painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in France, one of the most prestigious art schools in the world. Joseph studied at Swarthmore College, an elite private college in Pennsylvania. They are trained theatre professionals with a combined six decades of work in the New York City Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre world, designing sets, lights and video; painting scenery; as well as acting, producing and teaching.
When their new friends in Taitung asked them to “teach” English, they said “As theatre people, we will use theatre exercises and improv games as we lead workshops in speaking and listening, in playing with English! People can come together and have fun— and everyone can feel English, rather than worry about memorizing it!”
Since January of 2022, Pei and Joseph have led more than 300 workshops at Taitung National University and at Taitung Community University. The most well-known workshop series is called “Speak English Any Way You Want, the Teacher is Off Today!” Hundreds of people have participated.
Pei and Joseph also do private lessons for individuals with particular needs— eg, English language certification, personal writing projects, performance coaching and more. Pei also teaches French conversation!
