Learning Chinese in Taiwan 學華語到臺灣 Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET) Address: Room 202, No.5, Lane 199, Kinghua Street, Taipei City, Taiwan 10650, R.O.C. Website: www.fichet.org.tw Tel: +886-2-23222280 Fax: +886-2-23222528 Ministry of Education, R.O.C. Address: No.5, ZhongShan South Road, Taipei, Taiwan 10051, R.O.C. Website: www.edu.tw Table of Contents Learning Chinese in Taiwan 1 10 Reasons for Learning Chinese in Taiwan 2 Getting to Know Taiwan History Climate Geography Culture Tastes of Taiwan 6 Applying to Learn Chinese in Taiwan Step-by-Step Procedures Scholarships 8 Living in Taiwan Accommodations Services Work 10 Test of Proficiency-Huayu 12 Chinese Learning Centers in Taiwan 42 International Students in Taiwan FICHET: Your all – inclusive 44 Courses at 29 Chinese Learning Centers information source for studying in Taiwan 48 Useful Links FICHET (The Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan) is a Non-Profit Organization founded in 2005. It currently has 114 member universities. Tel: +886-2-23222280 Fax: +886-2-23222528 E-mail: [email protected] www.fichet.org.tw Table of Contents Learning Chinese in Taiwan 1 10 Reasons for Learning Chinese in Taiwan 2 Getting to Know Taiwan History Climate Geography Culture Tastes of Taiwan 6 Applying to Learn Chinese in Taiwan Step-by-Step Procedures Scholarships 8 Living in Taiwan Accommodations Services Work 10 Test of Proficiency-Huayu 12 Chinese Learning Centers in Taiwan 43 International Students in Taiwan 46 Courses at Chinese Learning Centers 50 Useful Links 10 Reasons for Learning Chinese in Taiwan A Perfect Place An Excellent High Standard to Learn Chinese 4 Environment for of Living 1 Mandarin Chinese is the Learning Chinese Taiwan’s infrastructure official language of Taiwan. Mandarin training is advanced, and its The most effective way to centers in Taiwan provide 8 law-enforcement learn Mandarin is to study high quality teachers and and transportation, traditional Chinese characters facilities, a variety of high communication, medical and in the modern, Mandarin quality courses for students public health systems are speaking society of Taiwan. of all levels of proficiency, excellent. In Taiwan, foreign and small classes. Most students live and study in A Repository of importantly, outside of safety and comfort. Chinese Culture class, you will be immersed 2 in Chinese language and Test of The National Palace Museum culture. Don’t miss it! Proficiency-Huayu has a great collection of 9 artifacts spanning the history The Test Of Proficiency of Chinese civilization. Available Scholarships (TOP), or Huayu, is given to Taiwanese Opera and Glove To encourage students from international students to Puppetry, and aboriginal foreign countries to learn assess their Mandarin culture, add to the cultural Chinese, the government Chinese listening and richness of Taiwan. Nowhere 5 provides three scholarships. reading comprehension. will international students In addition, some Chinese ∆ See p.10-11 for more information find a better place to learning centers experience and learn about provide scholarships. Chinese culture. Work While You Study ∆ See p.6-7 for more information 10 While learning Chinese in Learn Complete, Taiwan, students may be able A Free and to work part-time. Students Traditional Chinese Democratic Society will gain experience and a Characters 6 Taiwan has a thriving, sense of accomplishment Learning traditional modern, free and democratic communicating in Chinese, 3 characters makes it easy to society. It is one of the safest and they can earn some identify lexical forms and countries in the world, and extra money. hard to misunderstand the its infrastructure, from meaning of words. Moreover, power to transportation to the power and aesthetics of telecommunication, Chinese calligraphy can only is top-notch. be revealed and appreciated through traditional Easy to Reach, Chinese characters. A Great Place to Travel Taiwan is served by a large 7 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 1 Getting to Know G eography Location Pacific Ocean, 120 km (74.6 mi) off the coast of mainland China Taiwan Area 34,507 km² O (13,323.2 sq mi) ther Currency Highest Point D emographics New Taiwan Dollars We welcome you to our friendly island paradise!Yu Shan (NTD) (3,952 m = 12,965.9 ft) Electricity Capital City Population Electrical current is 110 volts, 60 cycles, AC.. Taiwan is a modern, free, democratic society whose people areTaipei hardworking, fun-loving,23,036,087 educated and friendly. While eagerly embracing the future, the people of Taiwan hold onto traditional(as of 2008) values and Drive Largest City Right ideals. The family, including ancestors, is of utmost importance;Taipei education (2,619,920 andpeople) scholarshipDensity are held in high Calling code esteem; and traditional forms of writing, architecture and art are part of everyday life.668/km² Yes, in Taiwan+886 the (1730/ sq mi) ancient and modern, traditional and new are seamlessly woven together, creating a fascinating, dynamic society like no other in the world. Ethnic Groups 84% Han Taiwanese 14% Mainland Chinese / Waishengren 2% Aboriginal Taiwanese (14 tribes) National Language Standard Mandarin 2 Getting to Know Taiwan Taiwan, Republic of China N orth 1 Taipei Chinese Culture University • Mandarin Learning Center Fu Jen Catholic University • Language Center Kainan University • Chinese Learning Center Ming Chuan University • Mandarin Studies & Culture Center of MCU National Chengchi University • Chinese Language Center National Taipei University of Education • Chinese Language Education Center National Taiwan Normal University • Mandarin Training Center National Taiwan University • International Chinese Language Program National Taiwan University • Chinese Language Division, Language Center Tamkang University• Chinese Language Center Northern Taiwan Institute Of Science & Technology • Mandarin Language Center 2 Keelung 3 Taoyuan Chung Yuan Christian University • Mandarin Learning Center National Central University • Chinese Language Program of Language Center 4 Hsinchu Chung Hua University • Chinese Language Center National Chiao Tung University • Language Center, Chinese Program 5 Yilan Fo Guang University • Language Instruction Center C entral 6 Miaoli 7 Taichung Feng Chia University • Chinese Language Center National Chung Hsing University • Language Center, Chinese Program Providence University • Chinese Language Education Center Tunghai University • The Chinese Language Center 8 Changhua 9 Yunlin 10 Nantou 11 Chiayi National Chiayi University • Language Center S outh 12 Tainan National Cheng Kung University • College of Liberal Arts, Chinese Language Center Southern Taiwan University of Technology • Chinese Language Center 13 Kaohsiung National Kaohsiung Normal University • Center of Language and Culture Teaching National Sun Yat-sen University • Chinese Language Center National University of Kaohsiung • Chinese Language Center Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages • Center of Chinese language I-Shou University • Chinese Language Center 14 Pingtung National Pingtung University of Education • Language Center - Chinese Language Division E ast 15 Hualien Tzu Chi University • Center for language Studies 16 Taitung Getting to Know Taiwan 3 The Famous Taiwanese Snacks Steamed Dumpling More About Taiwan 1 ︻ 台 灣 通 史 ︼ 2 History Climate The name “Taiwan”, meaning In subtropical, northern Taiwan, “terraced bay”, was first used in the temperature during the cool, 1430 by Admiral Cheng Ho of the mild winters averages 18˚C/64˚F. Ming court. In the 16th century, the The average temperature rises to Portuguese named the island “Ilha 31˚C/88˚F during the hot, humid Formosa” meaning “Beautiful Island. summers. Southern Taiwan has The name Formosa was used until a tropical, marine climate with the end of WWII. generally warm and relatively dry weather. Situated between northern and southern Asia, Taiwan has long In the mountains, temperate played a crucial role in trade and conditions prevail. Snow may politics. Taiwan’s location brought accumulate on some of the highest frequent invasions, but also provided peaks, such as Yu Shan and Ho-Huan the conditions needed for a modern, Shan. Rain may fall at any time, prosperous and democratic country. but the greatest amount usually falls from April to August. Typhoon season is from May to September. Pearl Milk Tea Taiwanese Meatballs Stinky Tofu 4 Getting to Know Taiwan Oyster Omelet Meat Rice Tamales Danzai Noodles 3 4 5 Geography Culture Tastes of Taiwan Taiwan lies along the western edge The culture of Taiwan is a blend of In Taiwan, where it seems the people of the Pacific Ocean, 193 km (120 modern and traditional, national live to eat, it is said that there is miles) off the southeastern coast of and international, unique and a snack shop every three steps mainland China. Taiwan has a land universal. Due to Taiwan’s complex and a restaurant every five. Foods area of about 36,000 square km political history, the influences of and dishes from around the world (14,400 square miles) and is nearly indigenous culture, Confucianism, are available in Taiwan. However, bisected by the Tropic of Cancer. The Japan, and Western civilization all Taiwan's native cuisine, which island is shaped somewhat like a