As the learning of culture through native dialect become more and more emphasized, the Ministry of Education has added local culture teaching into the curriculum of elementary school education, hoping to cultivate the next generation with a sensation towards local culture so that they will cherish their own culture. Taiwanese opera is perhaps the only traditional drama that has been developed locally and it has accompanied Taiwanese people for the past century. In order for elementary school students to have a deeper understanding of native art and dialect, the researcher tried to incorporate this traditional drama – Taiwanese opera –into the teaching of arts and humanities. This study discusses whether the interest of students in learning native dialect will increase through traditional drama appreciation and performances. The purposes of this study are as follows:

1)To understand the attitude of elementary school students toward appreciating Taiwanese opera.

2)To discuss the factors which affect students’ willingness of appreciating Taiwanese opera.

3)To discuss the significance and value of Taiwanese opera in the teaching of traditional art.

4)To understand how well the elementary school students accept the teaching of Taiwanese opera, and the feasibility of adding it into the curriculum of arts and humanities.

5)To discuss students’ interest in and reaction to the learning of native dialect through Taiwanese opera.

This study is an action research using fifth graders at Shi-Lin Elementary School where the researcher teaches as the subjects. Through the teaching of Taiwanese opera appreciation and performance, this study discusses the difficulties that teachers have when instructing students to perform, and looks for ways that help students increase their interest in native art and dialect. Interviews, observations and recordings are done in class. After the teaching, a survey is conducted. The analysis of the survey reveals the following conclusion:

1)The curriculum design of Taiwanese opera teaching can help students learn both native art and dialect.

2)Having students perform Taiwanese opera can help them better understand local culture and native art.

3)Having students perform Taiwanese opera can increase their interest and ability in learning Taiwanese.

This study suggests the following:

1)Create a supporting environment emphasize teamwork and classroom order.

2)Provide art teachers with opportunities for advanced studies traditional art to cultivate teachers’ knowledge.

3)Provide films and scripts of Taiwanese opera appropriate suitable for children and increase the campus tours of Taiwanese opera troupe.