Why study in Taiwan?
There are twenty-six Mandarin training centers located at universities throughout Taiwan. Offering classes year round, these centers provide a variety of courses for students of different proficiency levels. In addition, these centers are staffed by faculty members who have received professional training in teaching Mandarin to international students.
Many universities offer MBA, undergraduate, graduate programs for international students in English and Chinese.
Reason 1: Best Teaching and Learning Environment
Taiwan has for years been home to numerous institutions devoted to the study of Mandarin Chinese language. This is one of the reasons why the number of international students coming to Taiwan for all levels of language study has shown a steady increase.
Students coming to Taiwan can enjoy the benefits of high-quality teaching and a rich learning environment. In addition, there is much to be learned from experiencing the blend of tradition and modernity found in Taiwanese society.
Reason 2: A Rewarding Learning Experience
International students studying in Taiwan will learn to speak Mandarin Chinese using clear, standard pronunciation, and will learn to write using traditional Mandarin Chinese characters, which is one of the oldest writing systems in the world. Traditional Mandarin Chinese characters are very unique and were developed from pictographs. Most traditional Mandarin Chinese characters contain a "form", "sound", and "meaning", so you can roughly guess their meaning and/or pronunciation after having acquired a basic working vocabulary. Traditional Mandarin Chinese characters are also an art form of calligraphy. When you learn to write traditional Mandarin Chinese characters, you are also learning how to appreciate their beauty and aesthetic qualities.
Reason 3: National Test Of Proficiency: Huayu
The Test Of Proficiency: Huayu (TOP) is to determine the Mandarin Chinese listening and reading comprehension of international students. There are three levels: basic, intermediate, and advanced, with a total of seven ranks. Examinees who achieve a passing score will receive a certificate issued by the Mandarin Training Center (MTC) at National Taiwan Normal University and the Association of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (ATCSL).
Since 2005, TOP has been open to international students around the world. The test can measure a student's Mandarin Chinese proficiency and weaknesses and serve as a reference for further improvement.
Reason 4: Various Types of Scholarships
The Taiwan government provides the following scholarships to eligible international students who are interested in studying Mandarin Chinese in non-degree programs.
|
University-based Mandarin Studies Programs | |
|
Setting |
International students study at college-affiliated Mandarin Chinese
training centers. |
|
Application
Requirements
|
• Successful candidates will be able to receive a stipend of NT$25,000 monthly, for a maximum study term of one year.
• Under its “Ten-plus Short-term Mandarin Study Program,” the Ministry of Education offers subsidies for each international group of ten or more students coming from institutions of higher ducation overseas for 6 to 8 weeks. Subsidies of US$5,000 will be awarded to each qualified group. |
|
Community-based Mandarin Studies Programs | |
|
Setting |
International students study Mandarin Chinese at learning centers in
the community. |
|
Application
Requirements |
Information on community-based program is available at the Cultural Division of the Taiwan representative office in your country. |
For more information on these programs, please consult the following websites:
‧ Ministry of Education
‧ Overseas Service Offices of the Ministry of Education
Reason 5: Opportunities for Further Study (Universities)
Many students who have good academic standing can apply for the scholarships listed below. The amount of the scholarship varies from institution to institution.
|
Type |
Description |
|
Taiwan Scholarship |
This scholarship is sponsored by the Ministry of Education.
All applications must be submitted to a designated Taiwan overseas mission, in the country of the applicant’s citizenship, before the end of March of each year. Passports and documents must be valid for more than six months.
For more information, please consult the following website:
|
|
General Scholarship |
This scholarship is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and can be applied for, at the beginning of each semester.
More information can be found at http://www.studyintaiwan.org/. |
|
The Taiwan International
Graduate Program
(TIGP) |
The Taiwan International Graduate Program of the Academia Sinica provides full fellowship support for 3 years for all fully-matriculated students. The stipend levels are approximately US$950 (NTD$32,000) per month. For further information, please consult the TIGP website at
|
|
MediaTek International
Student Fellowship |
The MediaTek Foundation has established this scholarship in order to encourage outstanding international graduate students to study and undertake research in Taiwan, thereby promoting international academic exchange. For further information, please visit the website at http://www.mtk.com.tw/. |