Education

Education for dependent (PreK-G12)

The process of finding the right school for your children can be tedious; here are some resources and information to get you quickly started. You’ll need the following things to begin your application: application form, photocopy of your passport, ARC, or gold card and transcript. If applying for the first semester of 1st grade, you are exempt from submitting a transcript. If you wish to attend a local public school, verify your school district on the website of the local department of education or district office. Once you know your school district, you can submit your application at the admissions office.

Bilingual Public Schools and International Schools

As of early 2024, more than half of public schools in Taiwan have implemented bilingual programs, but one of the biggest remaining challenges is the number of bilingual teaching staff. Taiwan’s government has been assertive in implementing bilingual transition programs as well as special programs for expat children in order to attract foreign professionals to reside and build their careers in Taiwan. The enrollment qualifications for children of Gold Card holders were further eased in 2022, allowing children of Gold Card holders in the field of technology to attend the bilingual departments of experimental junior high schools in science parks. For more information, please refer to Education Platform for Expat Children (EPEC) . Taiwan also has many international schools with programs ranging from kindergarten to high school that allow the children of foreign professionals to receive foreign language educations that will facilitate seamless transitions in the future. For more details, please visit the Education in Taiwan section at the official website of Talent Taiwan.

Learning Chinese

While English is sufficient for getting around in Taiwan and most administrative procedures can be handled without Chinese proficiency, learning Mandarin can seriously enrich your life and improve your employment opportunities. There are many options for learning Mandarin but considering the following when looking at programs:

• Class Hours: Some programs, such as the International Chinese Language Program at National Taiwan University, are intensive and designed for diplomats or full-time students; they require spending approximately 4-6 hours a day for classes/homework.
• Purpose of Study: Some courses emphasize reading/writing proficiency while others are catered to those who wish to improve in conversational Mandarin.
• Budget: Tuition for university and training center courses will vary in cost but are generally more affordable than hiring a private tutor.

You can usually find classes through local universities in major cities as well as independent training centers such as the Mandarin Training Center from National Taiwan Normal University. MTC is renowned for its education and offers a range of courses from semester-long programs to 1-on-1 individual sessions. It also offers varying programs for students of all age groups.

If you want to learn Mandarin outside of Taipei, take a look at the following institutes:

Taichung: National Taichung University Chinese Language Center or Tunghai University Chinese Language Center

• Tainan: Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology Chinese Language Center or National Cheng Kung University Chinese Language Center
• Kaohsiung: National University of Kaohsiung, Language Center or National Kaohsiung Normal University, Center of Language and Culture Teaching

There are also many online courses or private tutors in Taiwan that might be more tailored to your needs.

Resources for Kids Education or Chinese Learning

Taiwan Mandarin Educational Resources Center also offers resources for Chinese learning as well as a list of affiliated educational institutes teaching Chinese. If you would like to test the Chinese proficiency of you or your children, If you would like to test your or your kids’ Chinese ability, visit SC-TOP for various testing programs.