The summer is the traditional peak season for learning foreign languages in Taiwan, and a wide range of programs is available for those who want to take advantage of the summer vacation to polish their foreign language skills.
No one knows how many people in the ROC each day ambitiously resolve to master English, Japanese or some other foreign language. The majority of people studying foreign languages, whether school students or workers, will have a better chance of gaining entrance to a good high school or university or of moving up in their organization if they have superior language skills. Therefore, finding a good language program is a common concern of many students, young people and their parents.
In addition to the standard foreign language courses offered at all levels in local schools, most of the nation's junior colleges, colleges and institutes offer adult education programs. Of the scheduled courses offered by the China Youth Corps, the China Youth Service Association, the YMCA and the YWCA, foreign languages are often the most popular courses. There are also several travel agencies that have set up ties with well-known language schools abroad, hoping to attract tourists who would like to do some sightseeing and brush up on their language skills at the same time.
According to statistics supplied by the Taipei Department of Education, there are more than 160 licensed private language schools in the city of Taipei alone. And this figure does not include English language schools for students in high schools and lower levels. Courses are also offered by non-profit organizations such as the China Youth Corps and the China Youth Service Association. Languages offered include English, Japanese, German, French, Arabic and Cantonese. Teachers are mainly English language majors or returned students and courses run for six weeks. Beginning and intermediate classes are large and concentrate on speaking and comprehension. The advanced classes are smaller and emphasize reading and writing. The China Youth Corps, YWCA and YMCA all have similar programs.
Overseas Chinese and foreigners wish ing to study Chinese in Taiwan may apply in their country of residence to participate in the Overseas Chinese Youth Language Training and Study Tour, or they can take classes at one of the many Chinese language centers on the island. The China Youth Corps, under the auspices of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission, runs the study tour, providing young overseas Chinese from the United States, Canada, Europe and other areas an opportunity to study Chinese and learn about the culture of their motherland.
Any overseas Chinese between the ages of 18 and 23 may apply for this program between January 1 and mid-March of each year. Applications may be obtained at ROC embassies, consulates and government organizations, or authorized organizations in the applicant's country of residence. Only one member of a family may be accepted for the program at a time. The registration fee for the 45-day program (which begins on July 1) is US$250, including room and board but not air fare.
Language instruction is divided into three levels, according to the student's proficiency. Instructors are selected from the Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University and the Institute of Chinese Culture at Tunghai University. In addition to teaching students how to speak Mandarin and to recognize Chinese characters, the China Youth Corps also arranges lectures, trips and instruction in Chinese calligraphy and painting.
The following eight schools and organizations have also established Chinese language programs in Taiwan: the Mandarin Training Center, National Taiwan Normal University; the Mandarin Center, Fu Jen University; the Mandarin Center, National Cheng Kung University; the Institute of Chinese Culture, Tunghai University; the Mandarin Training Center, Fengchia University; the Mandarin Daily News Language Center; the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies; and the Taipei Language Institute.
With the exception of the Mandarin Daily News Language Center, which accepts students eight years old and above, and the Inter-University Program for Chinese Language Studies, which requires two years' prior study of Chinese, all the other language programs have roughly the same entrance requirements. Each student admitted to a program takes about 10 hours a week of language instruction, and each semester runs for two to three months. At the end of each semester the student may elect to continue his studies and there is no limit on the length of study. The hourly fee and class size varies.
The instructors at these centers are mainly language and liberal arts graduates and have received professional training in the teaching of foreign languages, as well as in educational psychology.
Instruction at the island's language centers is divided into three levels, beginner, intermediate and advanced. At the Mandarin Training Center at National Taiwan Normal University, for example, beginning students concentrate on pronunciation and daily conversation, and the main texts used include the elementary school textbooks used in the ROC and picture stories. Intermediate students use Chinese history. Some students also study the Chinese literature textbooks used in middle schools, newspaper prime and radio plays. The scope of advanced classes is broader, and students may choose materials that are appropriate to their level of proficiency and that are related to their research and interests. Classes offered include an introduction to literary Chinese, The Four Books, T'ang poetry, classical novels and contemporary Chinese short stories and prose.
[Picture Caption]
Overseas Chinese return for language instruction, which often resembles summer camp. (courtesy of Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission).
and listening to the radio makes it more fun.
Overseas Chinese return for language instruction, which often resembles summer camp. （courtesy of Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission）.
Listening to tapes improves pronunciation and intonation.
Most experts place little stock in the subliminal learning method.
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