10 Reasons for Learning Chinese in Taiwan An Excellent A Perfect Place Environment for High Standard to Learn Chinese ͜ of Living ͙ Learning Chinese ͠ Mandarin Chinese is the official 36 Mandarin training centers Taiwan’s infrastructure is advanced, language of Taiwan. The most in Taiwan provide high quality and its law-enforcement and effective way to learn Mandarin teachers and facilities, a variety of transportation, communication, is to study traditional Chinese high quality courses for students of medical and public health systems characters in the modern, Mandarin all levels of proficiency, and small are excellent. In Taiwan, foreign speaking society of Taiwan. classes. Most importantly, outside students live and study in safety of class, you will be immersed in and comfort. Chinese language and culture. Don’t miss it! A Repository of Test of Chinese as a ͚ Chinese Culture Foreign Language ͡ (TOCFL) The National Palace Museum Available has a great collection of artifacts Scholarships ͝ The Test Of Chinese as a Foreign spanning the history of Chinese Language (TOCFL), is given to civilization. Taiwanese Opera and To encourage students from international students to assess Glove Puppetry, and aboriginal foreign countries to learn their Mandarin Chinese listening culture, add to the cultural Chinese, the government provides and reading comprehension. richness of Taiwan. Nowhere will two scholarships. In addition, See p.10-11 for more information international students find a better some Chinese learning centers place to experience and learn about provide scholarships. Chinese culture. See p.6-7 for more information Work While ͙͘ You Study Learn Complete, A Free and While learning Chinese in Taiwan, Traditional Chinese Democratic Society students may be able to work part- ͛ Characters ͞ time. Students will gain experience Taiwan has a thriving, modern, and a sense of accomplishment Learning traditional characters free and democratic society. It communicating in Chinese, and makes it easy to identify lexical is one of the safest countries in they can earn some extra money. forms and hard to misunderstand the world, and its infrastructure, the meaning of words. Moreover, from power to transportation to the power and aesthetics of Chinese telecommunication, is top-notch. calligraphy can only be revealed and appreciated through traditional Chinese characters. Easy to Reach, A Great Place ͟ to Travel Taiwan is served by a large number of international airlines and is easily reached from many countries in the world. Domestic airlines, bullet trains, and regional train systems provide excellent transportation within Taiwan. 10 Reasons for Learning Chinese in Taiwan ͙ North Taiwan, Republic of China 1 Taipei China University of Science and Technology Chinese Courses Language Center Chinese Culture University Mandarin Learning Center Fu Jen Catholic University Language Center Geography Kainan University Chinese Learning Center Ming Chuan University Mandarin Studies & Culture Center (MSCC) Location Pacific Ocean, 120 km (74.6 mi) National Chengchi University Chinese Language Center National Taipei University of Education Chinese Language Education Center off the coast of mainland China National Taiwan Normal University Mandarin Training Center Area 36,191 km² (13,973.3 sq mi) National Taiwan University International Chinese Language Program Highest Point Yu Shan (3,952 m=12,965.9 ft) National Taiwan University Language Center, Chinese Language Division Tamkang University Chinese Language Center Capital City Taipei Taipei Chengshih University of Science and Technology Mandarin Center Largest City Taipei (2,665,832 people) 2 Keelung 3 Taoyuan Chung Yuan Christian University Mandarin Learning Center Lunghwa University of Science and Technology Chinese Language Center Demographics National Central University Chinese Language Program of Language Center 1 Population 23,282,670 4 Hsinchu Density 642.26 /km² Chung Hua University Chinese Language Center 2 Ethnic Groups Taiwanese people National Chiao Tung University Chinese Language Division, LTRC 3 84% Han Taiwanese 5 Yilan 14% Mainland Chinese Fo Guang University Language Instruction Center (Waishengren) 4 2% Aboriginal Taiwanese (14 tribes) Central 5 Official Language Mandarin 6 Miaoli 6 7 Taichung Feng Chia University Chinese Language Center National Taichung University of Education Chinese Language Center Providence University Chinese Language Education Center 7 Other Tunghai University Chinese Language Center Currency New Taiwan Dollars (NTD) 8 Changhua Electricity Electrical current is 110 volts, 9 Yunlin 60 cycles, AC 8 Drive On Right 10 Nantou 10 15 Calling Code +886 11 Chiayi National Chiayi University Language Center 9 -Division of Chinese as a Second Language 11 Getting to Know Taiwan 12 13 16 South We welcome you to our friendly island paradise! 12 Tainan 14 Kun Shan University 14 Pingtung Taiwan is a modern, free, democratic society whose people are hardworking, fun-loving, educated and friendly. Chinese Language Center National Cheng Kung University National Pingtung University of Education While eagerly embracing the future, the people of Taiwan hold onto traditional values and ideals. The family, College of Liberal Arts Chinese Language Center Language Center including ancestors, is of utmost importance; education and scholarship are held in high esteem; and traditional Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology National Pingtung University of Science Chinese Language Center and Technology forms of writing, architecture and art are part of everyday life. Yes, in Taiwan the ancient and modern, traditional Taiwan Shoufu University Chinese Language Center and new are seamlessly woven together, creating a fascinating, dynamic society like no other in the world. Chinese Language Center 13 Kaohsiung I-Shou University Language Center East Kao Yuan University Chinese Language Center Hualien National Kaohsiung Normal University 15 Center of Language and Culture Teaching Tzu Chi University National Sun Yat-sen University Chinese Language Center Center for language Studies National University of Kaohsiung Language Center Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages Center of Chinese language 16 Taitung 2 Getting to Know Taiwan Getting to Know Taiwan 3 More About Taiwan Danzai Noodles History Climate Culture The name “Taiwan”, meaning In subtropical, northern Taiwan, The culture of Taiwan is a blend of modern and traditional, national and “terraced bay”, was first used in the temperature during the cool, international, unique and universal. Due to Taiwan’s complex political 1430 by Admiral Cheng Ho of the mild winters averages 18˚C / 64˚F. history, the influences of indigenous culture, Confucianism, Japan, and Ming court. In the 16th century, The average temperature rises to Western civilization all can be seen at the same time. the Portuguese named the island 31˚C /88˚F during the hot, humid “Ilha Formosa” meaning “Beautiful summers. Southern Taiwan has Pearl The Japanese occupation of Taiwan from 1895 to 1945 influenced Island. The name Formosa was used a tropical, marine climate with Milk Tea language, culture, and architecture. Visitors can still find a Japanese-style until the end of WWII. generally warm and relatively mansion and hear old Japanese songs emanating from nearby taverns. dry weather. Situated between northern and Taiwan’s aboriginal culture is unique and has started to flourish since the southern Asia, Taiwan has long In the mountains, temperate Ami chant “Jubilant Drinking Song” was sampled in a song to promote the played a crucial role in trade and conditions prevail. Snow may 1996 Olympics. However, the dominant culture in Taiwan is still Chinese. politics. Taiwan’s location brought accumulate on some of the highest Immigrants from mainland China, especially those who arrived in 1949, frequent invasions, but also peaks, such as Yu Shan and after civil war, brought Confucianism and Chinese culture to Taiwan. The provided the conditions needed Ho-Huan Shan. Rain may fall at National Palace Museum has an outstanding collection of 650,000 pieces for a modern, prosperous and any time, but the greatest amount of ancient Chinese artifacts brought from the Forbidden City, making it democratic country. usually falls from April to August. a major attraction for visitors. Visitors also will see ornate temples and Typhoon season is from May traditional Chinese characters. to September. Steamed Dumping Cuisine Geography In Taiwan, where it seems the Taiwan lies along the western edge of the Pacific Ocean, 193 km (120 miles) people live to eat, it is said that off the southeastern coast of mainland China. Taiwan has a land area of there is a snack shop every three Meat Rice about 36,000 square km (14,400 square miles) and is nearly bisected by the steps and a restaurant every five. Tamales Tropic of Cancer. The island is shaped somewhat like a sweet potato. Foods and dishes from around the world are available in Taiwan. Taiwan has broad plains, rolling hills, and precipitous mountains that form However, Taiwan's native cuisine, the spine of the island. There are six peaks over 3,500m - the highest is Yu which has gained worldwide Shan at 3,952m - and more than 200 peaks over 3,000m. Swift rivers have attention, is unforgettable - try it carved steep gorges through the mountains. Taroko Gorge, with vertical just once and you will remember rock walls hundreds of meters high, is a wonder of nature. Geothermal it forever. Memorable dishes activity has produced many hot springs