The Ministry of Education has budgeted NT$2 billion (US$65.69 million) over the next two years to complete phase two of a program to meet the nation’s 2030 bilingual education policy, it said yesterday.
Phase two of the program involves enhancing English-language programs at select schools, and enabling students to take courses taught entirely in English, it said, adding that it is considering establishing such schools as models for expanding the project.
The funding comes from the Cabinet’s Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program.
Photo: Rachel Lin, Taipei Times
Over the past year, the ministry has fostered an environment conducive to language learning, established courses and created training programs for faculty, Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠) said.
The first stage of the project was implemented from 2021 through August last year, Pan said, adding that as the results have been positive, the ministry would proceed with phase two.
The increased funding — up from NT$1.1 billion for phase one — would help universities and junior colleges develop the capabilities to provide students with the best possible environments and opportunities to learn English, he said.
The financing would also help schools reach out and interact with foreign universities, he added.
Department of Higher Education Director-General Chu Chun-chang (朱俊彰) said that phase one of the project focused on four universities and four centers, with an additional 37 schools included for general improvement.
Phase two would add three schools and centers to the list of prioritized institutions, while 10 schools would be added to the general improvement list.
Schools and centers in the program would be separated into different levels so that a “successful” model can be established and implemented across the board, Chu said.
The ministry has adjusted its critical performance indicators and would no longer require teachers or students to undergo courses entirely taught in English, he said.
Instead, the ministry is asking schools to ensure that its students have sufficient English capabilities to attend such classes, if necessary, he added.
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