Satit PIM Mandarin Study Tour at MCU  Under the sponsorship of the 2019 Ministry of Education Plan for Improving TCSL Education, the recent Satit PIM Mandarin Study Tour at Ming Chuan University (MCU) proceeded very well.  Through the efforts of Ming Chuan University Education and Culture Center in Thailand (MCU-ECCT), MCU hosted the study tour for Satit PIM [Panyapiwat Institute of Management Demonstration School], with a total of 30 students plus 2 teachers joining the two weeks of intensive Mandarin courses at MCU Jihe Complex from October 6th to 19th, 2019.  The study tour program comprised engaging learning activities, which included plenty of in-person language courses and cultural activities. Also provided were two online-courses created by the Ministry of Education—“Start From Scratch” and “Who is speaking: Lovely Taiwan,” which are aimed at promoting study Mandarin online. All the Satit PIM students were highly interested in these courses.  Furthermore, MCU Mandarin Studies and Culture Center held a simulation TOCFL test prior to the closing ceremony. MCU would like to promote this high quality Taiwan Mandarin test through the simulation TOCFL test. The test results clearly showed that the study tour students’ Mandarin proficiency was significantly improved over the course of the study tour.  Officially founded in March 2018 in Bangkok, Thailand, MCU-ECCT widely promotes the high quality of Taiwan’s TCSL education. This is conducted only through sending Mandarin teachers from Taiwan to Thailand for exchange service but also by holding several short-term study tours each year for Thai students to go to Taiwan for on-site study experiences. Features of this study tour include: Courses being Relevant to Life – Emphasis on daily conversation which can be used immediately in the target language environment. Interesting Courses - Sufficient classroom activities and cultural experience activities to achieve the goal of learning by doing. Meanwhile stimulating courses strengthen students’ motivation to keep learning Mandarin in the future. Promotion of Online Courses – Availability of online courses promote students’ willingness to learn Mandarin after returning to Thailand. Promotion of TOCFL Test – Introduction of the TOCFL test, and allowing students to experience this language assessment via simulation test, can increase students’ motivation to register for the official TOCFL Test. Combination of Taiwan and Mandarin – Aside from learning Mandarin, the study tour also promotes the high quality of Taiwan’s education and tourism. Through this activity, apart from the aspect of immediate strong learning outcomes, students have greater interest in learning Mandarin after going back to Thailand. Many of the students indicate that they will definitely come to Taiwan to join Mandarin-related activities in the future!  

Since we are required by the Department of State in the U.S. to recruit more FLTAs to fit U.S. universities’ needs, we decide to extend the 2020-2021 FLTA application deadline. The related deadlines will be:1. Please submit the application by November 11, 2019.2. The scheduled interview date is December 9, 2019 (for applicants who submitted application by 8/15) and December 10, 2019.3. If you would provide your test appointment confirmation of TOEFL or IELTS to our application system, the test date must before November 30, 2019.   § Description and Purpose The Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and Taiwan Ministry of Education, and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The FLTA Program enables early-career educators from overseas to go to the U.S. They refine their teaching skills, increase their English language proficiency, and extend their knowledge of the cultures and customs of the United States, while engaging in non-degree studies at accredited post-secondary U.S. educational institutions. Along with their studies, FLTAs teach language courses, supervise language labs, and lead language table discussions. FLTAs may also act as resource persons in conversation groups, cultural representatives, attendants in language laboratories, coordinators of extra-curricular activities, guest speakers in civilization courses, head's of language clubs, houses, tables and much more.   FLTAs: 1. Are for 9 months, the grant period cannot extend. 2. May assist in or teach up to 20 hours of language classes a week 3. Are required to enroll in at least 2 courses per semester, one of which must be in U.S. Studies; the remaining coursework should relate to their careers in original fields teaching. 4. Are expected to facilitate cultural events, language clubs, and language tables 5. Are required to attend a U.S.-based orientation sponsored by ECA during the summer, right before the FLTA grant. 6. Are required to attend a mid-year enrichment conference in the United States, hosted by ECA and coordinated by IIE § Benefits: 1. Room and Board (offered by host university) 2. Travel allowance: a direct, round-trip economy-class air ticket (for return ticket, please confirm with IIE) , and a baggage allowance of US$200 3. Monthly stipend (offered by host university) 4. Placement services by IIE. 5. Placement in a summer orientation in the U.S., with expenses paid for travel allowance by IIE. If selected FLTAs don’t have certificate of TCSL, FSE will support to have one basic TCSL program. § Eligibility Criteria:  1. Reside in Taiwan at the time of application, the year prior to the grant (2020) 2. Possess the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor's degree with a good academic record (Master's degrees are highly desirable at many institutions) 3. Be teachers of the following fields (TESL and TCSL are preferred)Teaching English as Second LanguageTeaching Chinese as Second LanguageLanguage Teaching related fields 4. Be fluent in English, as demonstrated by a score of no less than 79 (iBT) or 6.0 (IELTS), taken since August, 2018. Or upload a test appointment confirmation to our application system (test date MUST before September 30, 2019). 5. Are required to secure visas in time for host institution reporting dates. Failure to do so may result in the loss of the assistantship. 6. Clearly demonstrate maturity, dependability, integrity and professionalism 7. Be outgoing and dynamic individuals with a great sense of humor 8. Meet the Grant Conditions and Provisions (http://www.fulbright.org.tw/tw/provisionsandconditions) 9. All other factors being equal, preference is given to applicants who has submitted all of the score report (including English score report and transcript). 10. During the grant period, grantee must submit a research/ reflections report to FSE Online Journal (http://journal.fulbright.org.tw/). § Application Procedure: Apply online no later than August 15, 2019. For application information, please go to the following website:http://www.fulbright.org.tw/application     Submit the hard copy of following required documents to Fulbright Taiwan, postmarked no later than August 15, 2019.• Hard copies of your completed on-lined application form (filled in English, including application form, English CV, English transcripts for all degrees (university and post-graduate), degree certificate, certificate of enrollment or employment certificate, iBT/IELTS score report or appointment confirmation, and passport copy.)• Chinese CV (the translation version of your English CV with your cell phone number and mailing address. We’ll deliver the notification letter via post mail after the nomination list is confirmed.)• 3 English recommendation letters (if your referees do not want to complete recommendation letters on line and please do ask for the specific form from our foundation)• One copy of authorized transcripts for undergraduate studies and for graduate studies in sealed envelopes (including for exchange studies; MUST be in English for IIE); “sealed envelopes” means that you have to ask school to stamp on the flap of the envelope to prove that the transcripts are authorized by school.• Certificate of degree for all degrees earned (MUST be in English for IIE); foreign certificates of degree must be authenticated by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). For more information, please visit MOFA’s website (http://www.boca.gov.tw/). All certificates of degrees will be sent to IIE.• Certificate of enrollment. If school cannot issue the certificate by our deadline, please submit a copy of your student ID card (both sides). Applicants should submit the certificate of enrollment by September 30, 2019. The mailing address is:台北市10043延平南路45號 2樓                                 學術交流基金會                                 傅爾布萊特交換計畫 (FLTA)     Application process has been completed! Wait for the interview! For updated information, please contact Ms. Lisa Lin,E-mail：fse@fulbright.org.twTel︰(02) 2388-2100 ext 112 / Fax：(02) 2388-2855 § Selection Procedure In the middleof September  In the middle of September (tentatively scheduled on September 12, 2019), a Selection Committee  (academics, Board members, and staff) reviews all documents, conducts oral interviews with applicants and recommends a slate for final selection by Fulbright Taiwan’s Board. Applicants who can’t physically present for an oral interview will be deemed to waive.  At the end of September ● Applicants are notified by Fulbright Taiwan of nomination/non-nomination at the end of September after the Board meeting and their nomination is also sent to the J. William Fulbright Foreign  Scholarship Board (FFSB) for final confirmation. IIE will provide services for applying host institutions simultaneously.● The grant is then subject to:a. Approval by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB)b. The candidate's admission to a U.S. institution approved by Fulbright Taiwan.  April of the following year  Final approval is then normally received by Fulbright Taiwan in April and conveyed to grantees as  soon as received.*Please be noted that all Taiwan grantees travel to U.S. must hold a J-type visa for academic and cultural exchange programs. Please refer to the following link for more visa-related details:http://www.fulbright.org.tw/tw/provisionsandconditions。 Data source：Fulbright Taiwan  

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been promoting the “France-Taiwan Foreign Language Internship Exchange Program” for 12 years, which as a result, the population of Mandarin learners in France increased from a rate of 20% to 30% each year. More and more high school students in Taiwan have taken French as the second foreign language, the number of classes offered is next to Japanese.The MOE, the French Office in Taipei, and the French Teachers Association have jointly held a Welcome and Farewell Party at the Tamkang University to welcome French language interns to Taiwan and to give a good send-off to Taiwanese interns going to France. The young attendees from both sides got to know each other through mutual communications and have left behind great memories.The MOE highlighted today in the news that the “France-Taiwan Foreign Language Internship Exchange Program” has been launched for 12 years. The two countries each offer round trip tickets for students of their own country and provide a living allowance for interns from each other's country, which has so far benefited 365 young students, including 187 Mandarin interns and 178 French interns. In the 2019 academic year, Taiwan and France each have sent 19 students to each other's country for interning as a language teaching assistant. The French interns have come to Taiwan one after another in September; they were assigned to 11 colleges including the National Chengchi University, Tamkang University, and so on. Some students were assigned to assist in the French language and culture programs in high schools. Interns sent from Taiwan were students from six different schools, including the Fu Jen Catholic University and National Central University.The MOE stated that French is now a popular “second foreign language” among high school students in Taiwan, the number of classes offered is next to Japanese and is more than German and Spanish. More than 200 high schools all over Taiwan have offered a total of 466 French classes, with 12,644 people taking them in the 2018 academic year. In France, where Mandarin learners have increased with a rate of 20% to 30% yearly over the past 10 years, which ranked the 5th among foreign languages (the top 4 are English, Spanish, German, and Italian).(origin from:CNA)

The Ministry of Education (MOE) invited 36 officials of the European Union (EU) to Taiwan for studying the political, economic, and cultural affairs of Taiwan. Also, several visiting officials arranged to undertake two-week Mandarin Chinese programs at the Fu Jen Catholic University so that they may have a better understanding of Taiwan’s rich culture through the learning of the language.Today the Department of International and Cross-strait Education and the MOE shared in a news release, the EU-Official Chinese Language and Taiwan Study Program was first held in 2007. This year it is divided into two divisions: political-economic study and Mandarin culture study.The 21 EU officials invited for research in the political-economic division have participated in a week of seminars held at the National Cheng-Chi University to share with Taiwanese scholars from various fields of expertise on the issues of economics, politic, education, culture, and society. Whereas the other 15 officials invited for Mandarin culture study were engaged in a two-week program that took place at the Fu Jen Catholic University.Besides the seminar and Mandarin program, the EU officials also visited the National Palace Museum, Da Dao Cheng, and Pingxi in New Taipei City, to experience the history and culture of Taiwan. The MOE expects to expand the bilateral dialogue in various aspects and to extend the official collaboration through mutual exchange and communication. Taiwan has currently participated in the EU programs for training and career development of fellows, such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA), the Erasmus+, Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degrees, and the Jean Monet Actions. Taiwanese research fellows may participate in vanguard science research projects by enrolling in top EU universities through the above channel.(origin from:CNA)

To promote the New Southbound Policy which aims to strengthen the bilateral bonds through culture and education, the Head of Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Indonesia Ou Shu-Fen, presented the award certificates of scholarship to 79 Indonesian students who are going to study in Taiwan. She hopes that these students will have a better understanding of Taiwan and strengthen international communication and corporation.The 79 Indonesian students were students of renowned public and private universities like the University of Indonesia, Bina Nusantara University, and that of nonstudent professionals as well. Among them, 40 students were awarded the “Taiwan Scholarship” for two to four years for undertaking degrees from bachelor to doctorate.In addition, 32 people were awarded the “Huayu Enrichment Scholarship” for undertaking study of the Mandarin Chinese program in Taiwan, and 7 people received scholarships from the International Cooperation Development Fund (ICDF).Ou said in the interview that the scholarships provided by Taiwanese government in 2019 attracted applicants from various places in Indonesia. The majority of Indonesian students undertake study in subjects of engineering, communication, and business management since the fast-growing commercial development of Indonesia has a high demand in these sectors. Besides, medical science and long-term care are also major subjects to study.Ou, Shu-Fen also remarked, the Taiwan-Indonesia cooperation project of “Three plus One” provides an opportunity for Indonesian teachers to get a doctoral degree. She said: “This project had been implemented for 5 years before it was suspended for 2 years. It is expected to receive more funds in response to the call of President Joko Widodo; thus, Taiwan and Indonesia are renewing the cooperation this year.”This “Three plus One” Project, essentially allows an Indonesian lecturer in this project to study in Taiwan and receive a three year grant for tuition from the Indonesian government. The Taiwan government will grant the tuition fees for the final year, as an effort for the cultivation of local talent through helping Indonesian scholars to get a doctoral degree. Ou, Shu-Fen estimated that the “Three plus One” project will accept doctorate level of training for 100 lecturers each year, though the project is still under preparation, and will be launched as soon as everything is all set. Juniarti D. Lestari, Head of Sub-Directorate of Educator Qualifications, Directorate General of Science and Technology Resources and Higher Education, said to the reporter that it is grateful for the scholarships provided to Indonesian students every year by the Taiwan government. We look forward to the continued collaboration in education between Taiwan and Indonesia and more scholarship opportunities for supporting lecturers to undertake doctoral degrees.Tirta Nugraha Mursitama, a professor of the Binus University who received support in Taiwan for the study project from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Indonesia, has visited Taiwan several times said, and was delighted to see 80 Indonesian students awarded scholarships supported by the Taiwan government, which is a milestone of the cooperation between the higher education of Taiwan and Indonesia.Tirta stated: “I experienced the connectivity between academia and industry when I was in Taiwan, students there were able to get first-hand information and experience from the industry.” Tedy Trisetio, a recipient of the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, is currently a reporter at liputan6.com of Indonesia and is going to undertake six months of Mandarin Chinese program at the Soochow University in September. He said he is well informed of the New Southbound Policy, which comprised of establishing bonding in fields of culture and economy and thus believe it is necessary to have a better grasp of Mandarin Chinese to provide valuable intelligence to Indonesian people.In addition to studying, Tedy is an enthusiast in photographing and imagery documenting, he is anticipating exploring more of his interests and expertise as well as the gastronomy, culture, and people during his stay in Taiwan.The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office summarized the most favorable universities and colleges among Indonesian students are National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, National Cheng Kung University, Asia University, and Taipei Medical University, etc.(origin from:CNA)

Today the Education Division of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam awarded the “2019 Ministry of Education Taiwan Scholarship and the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship” in Hanoi to 54 Vietnamese students from the province of Hue and the northern region and 1 Laotian student.The Ministry of Education (MOE) of the Republic of China has set up the “Taiwan Scholarship” and the “Huayu Enrichment Scholarship” for encouraging outstanding young students from Vietnam to undertake degree studies at universities in Taiwan. With the acquired professional knowledge and skills, they may contribute to socio-economic development, cultural and educational exchange, and communications for both countries.The list of recipients awarded with the scholarship, for students from the central province of Hue and the north region was disclosed a while ago. Among the 54 recipients, 23 will study for a bachelor's degree, 7 for master’s degree, and 1 for a doctorate degree. Each recipient will receive a maximum of NTD 40,000 for tuition and miscellaneous expenses and a monthly stipend of NTD 15,000 to NTD 20,000. The duration of the scholarship may last from two to four years. In contrast, the 23 recipients of the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship may receive NTD 25,000 each month for 3 to 12 months. This year, there was one recipient of Laotian nationality, who received the scholarship to undertake a bachelor's degree in Taiwan. The student has been accepted by the College of Business at the Chung Yuan Christian University.The number of scholarship recipients for degree study that the MOE offered to students from Hue and the north region (including Laos) was 26, which has increased to 32 this year; this showed that the MOE hold Vietnamese students in high regard.The award ceremony was held in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, and 46 awardees attended the event, including 3 students who flew in from the central province of Hue and Laos. The Representative of the Republic of China in Vietnam Ambassador Richard Shih, Minister Jing-Ling Chen, and related personnel participated in the ceremony.Richard Shih said in the speech that Taiwan and Vietnam have close collaboration in the field of education and economics. Taiwan was evaluated as one of the countries with the best education quality in Asia, and about 60 thousand Taiwanese enterprises have invested in Vietnam, which has resulted in high demand for talent recruiting. He congratulated the students and wished them to a joyful experience of Taiwanese culture and gastronomy while endeavoring to study. He also hoped that they would acquire professional expertise and skills in various academic fields, and thus contributing to the promotion of collaborating relations in different sectors, between Taiwan and Vietnam. The host of the event had also provided briefings on the regulations of the scholarship, application for a visa, and rules for residing in Taiwan, which allows the students to prepare in advance and feel secure for their trip to Taiwan.Tran My Thanh, mother of awardee Pham Quang Long, said with happiness and pride that her son (who studies at the National Hanoi University-affiliated High School of Foreign Languages) received a scholarship from the Department of Banking and Finance at Tamkang University. She said that she has also been to Taiwan several times for studying and for a business trip; thus, she was impressed with the environment and quality of Taiwan’s education. To be better prepared for study abroad, she had arranged for her son to visit the campus of Tamkang University, and thus has no worries about her son facing difficulties in Taiwan.(origin from:CNA)