TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's push toward bilingual education received a significant boost with the launch of the "Program on Bilingual Education for College Students" by the Ministry of Education in 2021.
The program, designed to align with Taiwan's aspirations of becoming a bilingual nation, seeks to enhance students' English proficiency and elevate the international competitiveness of higher education through English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) courses.
In an exclusive interview, Liu Mei-hui, provost of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), emphasized the importance of EMI courses within university departments.
Each department is mandated to offer an EMI course structure with 18 credits. The school also provides programs taught in English in the master's and doctoral classes, referred to as GPE courses. Additionally, they serve as a valuable tool for recruiting international students.
Furthermore, Liu pointed out that teachers participating in EMI courses can have hourly rates increased by 1.5 times. With over 800 teachers employed in NTNU, a quarter hold bilingual teaching licenses.
National Chengchi University (NCCU) Vice President Shu-Heng Chen also highlighted that 60% of NCCU's teachers completed their degrees in English-speaking countries, signifying substantial potential in advancing English-medium education.
While Taiwan's bilingual education program initially focuses on top-tier institutions, expanding its reach, encouraging professors' engagement, and attracting international students remain ongoing challenges.
As the program gains momentum, attracting international students becomes crucial, as they can act as catalysts, drawing more Chinese-speaking students into bilingual courses, a phenomenon known as the "catfish effect."
Ensuring diversity in English-medium curriculum offerings and providing adequate teacher support are equally imperative steps in achieving Taiwan's bilingual education goals.
