Drawing on the theory of Chen Kuan-Hsing’s, ‘Asia as Method’, this paper aims to investigate how drama education is glocalised in the early childhood education in Hong Kong and Taiwan. The notions of inter-referencing and dialogue of the theory allow us to resist either valorizing or negating the western perspectives and traditions of drama practices. To make possible Asian knowledge production about drama education, the data taken from two places was analysed through active and open dialogues among the two authors. In the process, we consciously made reference with the actual practices of the preschool teachers and also the educational cultures and traditions in two places. The results reveal that there is syncretisation of various approaches of drama education, and also delicate and exploratory teaching methods. This study suggests that the indigenous cultural recognition and reinvention are vital to the glocalisation of drama education in Asia.
Po-Chi is Assistant Professor at the Education University of Hong Kong specialising in drama and language education. She is currently the programme coordinator of the Doctor of Education Programme (ECE). Her scholarship is focused on Bakhtinian theory, and post-colonial and cross-cultural perspectives on drama and language education in Asian contexts. Current research projects include children’s play culture, integration of drama education into preschool curriculum and children’s aesthetic experiences in drama education. She also serves as the co-editor of The Journal of Drama and Theatre Education in Asia (Hong Kong Drama/Theatre and Education Forum).