Taiwan Bilingual 2030
Teachers, Students Question Taiwan Bilingual Education Plan
The idea of starting to learn English before mastering the Chinese language continues with arguments both for and against
Taiwan aims to turn into a global hub for travel and business and provide students with increased opportunities after graduation. However, it has drawn criticism from the National Federation of Teachers Union.
Some claim the new plan will put Taiwanese teachers out of work as additional foreign instructors will enter the country. Also, only a few Taiwanese teachers can teach all subjects in English, meaning that students’ understanding of math, science or history may suffer.
When asked about her opinion on this policy, a professor of Chinese at National Taiwan University who has previously taught English at a cram school expressed doubt that the proposed changes can be successfully implemented by 2030.
Additionally, she believes children should not start learning English until later in elementary school, not to take away from learning Chinese. Proponents of teaching indigenous language and Taiyu in schools share this sentiment, claiming learning English is less important than learning other Taiwan languages.
Kun-yu Lai, who learned English as a student in Taiwan and later earned a degree in the U.S., believes the bilingual policy will only increase inequality between children in major cities and those in the countryside.
Learning English should be a choice as long as resources are sufficient; teachers should focus on communication, not grammar patterns and test-taking skills, said Lai.
Although students who wish to take the TOEFL must take additional classes to prepare, Lai believes most Taiwanese students’ English is already proficient enough for essential communication after finishing high school.
The government no longer plans to transition into a fully bilingual country, but the resources allotted to this plan reveal that bilingual education remains on the minds of policymakers.
Since coming to Taipei, I have encountered many locals who speak English much better than I speak Chinese. Yet, the younger generation is struggling to preserve the knowledge of the Minnan dialect, also called Taiwanese.
Perhaps authorities should redirect resources to learning languages that are part of Taiwanese culture first while letting parents and students decide for themselves how much English they need.
