ADVANTAGES OF LEARNING MANDARIN IN TAIWAN

Traditional Characters

We all know that one of the most important reasons for coming to Taiwan is to study traditional characters. Traditional characters are one

part of Chinese tradition and have been best preserved in Taiwan. Chinese Language Education has a history of forty to fifty years in Taiwan.

     History

Chinese characters are one of the most ancient written languages in the world, and also the only ancient characters that are still in use now.

At least one fifth of the world population is using these characters daily. The most frequently adopted typeface in daily life is regular script,

which is called Li Shu from the Han Dynasty created around the 1th Christian century. In Three Kingdoms period,( Wei, Jin, Southern

and Northern Dynasties) regular script evolved. It is simply structured, easy to learn and easy to identify.

     Components

Chinese characters are divided to three elements of form, tone and idea. Form is the shape of the character, tone is the pronunciation, and

idea is the meaning. Chinese characters are originated from painting, which have an innate advantage that is you could guess the meaning of

80% characters’ from their shapes. Chinese characters have a three-thousand year history, They are profound and lively in daily life. They

are also artistic productions with unique style. Learning Chinese in Taiwan, you will experience the beauty of Chinese characters.

Compared with the original Mandarin, Mandarin language in Taiwan, has been developed more vibrant and more abundant in expressiveness,

 which perfectly reveals the progress of social civilization in Taiwan. By focusing on standardized form of Chinese characters (traditional

 Chinese), learning Mandarin in Taiwan makes truly experiencing the cultural beauty possible. Therefore, studying in Taiwan, international

 students can not only acquire standard Mandarin, but also obtain the knowledge of the traditional culture, coupled with formal Chinese

 characters—This makes Taiwan the idea venue to study Mandarin Chinese.

Many people believe that traditional characters are “Taiwan’s greatest legacy to the world,” and are proud of being able to study the “correct”

 characters. Every radical component of every traditional character can be broken down and analyzed. It’s like learning Chinese all over again.

 Traditional characters, representing Chinese traditional culture, are still in the mainstream of Chinese language education. This is especially for

 those students who want to conduct serious research in broader aspects of traditional Chinese culture, including literature, history, and

 philosophy. In these cases, only when students first become well versed in orthodox Chinese characters handed down through the ages will

 they truly be able to enter and understand the temple of Chinese writing.

Chinese Proficiency Test (CPT)

The Chinese Proficiency Test (CPT) was developed by three groups that are National Taiwan Normal University Center for Chinese Language

 and Culture Studies (CCLC, NTNU), Graduate Institute of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign/Second Language, and Research Center for

 Psychological and Educational Testing. Its first test was held in December 2003 in Taiwan. This test regularly takes place twice a year, both in

 June and December.  The test sites are located in the north, middle, and south parts of Taiwan. Later on starting from 2004, the CPT will be

 available worldwide.

         CPT is designed to examine foreigners’ ability in two language skills--listening and reading. The examination questions are divided into three

        different levels--basic, intermediate, and advanced. A seven-ranked result will be given out in accordance with the examinee’s grades. The

        eligible candidates will be offered a certificate of rank 1-7. The CPT certificate is issued and administrated by the Association of Teaching

        Chinese as a Second Language (ATCSL) and CCLC, NTNU. More information: http://www.mtc.ntnu.edu.tw/cpt_chinese.html or write e-mail:

        cpt@deps.ntnu.edu.tw for more information. 

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