Language learning project unveiled by MOE

2015-04-09

A school-based project assisting the children of new immigrants learn the languages of their foreign parents while promoting cultural diversity and ethnic integration in Taiwan was launched April 7 by the Ministry of Education.

“By providing students the opportunity to identify with the cultures of their parents, the initiative is helping boost student appreciation of diversity and develop self-confidence,” an official from the MOE K-12 Education Administration said.

“It is hoped that these bilingual youths will become a new force of Taiwan society and help the country expand in foreign trade, especially in Southeast Asian countries.”

Running until the end of 2017, the initiative involves selecting two elementary or middle-high schools in each of Taiwan’s special municipalities and counties for cultural camps involving learning activities and language courses in Burmese, Khmer, Indonesian, Thai and Vietnamese.

Only those institutions with at least 100 such students, or 10 percent of their total enrollments comprising students with ethnic ties to the targeted nations, can sign up for the program. A total of NT$100,000 (US$3,210) in state subsidies will be paid annually to each participating school.

While the activities are designed primarily for children of new immigrants, other students can enroll in the program with the maximum set at 10 percent of a class.

ROC government statistics show that around 620 primary schools and 490 middle schools qualify for the project. Nearly 210,000 students of elementary and middle school students, or 10 percent of the total, come from families with at least one foreign parent.

The MOE said it is also mulling a longer-term project for local students to intern at Taiwan-owned businesses operating in Southeast Asian countries or pursue advanced education in the region.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=229048&CtNode=413)