A travel program combining Chinese language classes with trips to some of Taiwan’s top attractions was launched Aug. 8, highlighting the nation’s natural beauty, cultural diversity and world-leading Mandarin learning environment, according to organizer the Ministry of Education.
Scheduled for September to July next year, the Mandarin On-The-Go tours offer four main routes based in northern, central, southern and eastern Taiwan, respectively. Packages range from two to five days and are open to everyone, with classes designed to accommodate participants of all levels.
According to the MOE, the trips have been carefully selected to maximize the effectiveness of the language classes by immersing participants in Taiwan’s culture, history and free, open and welcoming society. The packages will also serve to showcase the top-quality educators and facilities at Taiwan’s universities, furthering strengthening the international competitiveness of the nation’s Mandarin programs, the ministry added.
Based in Taipei City, the northern Taiwan route includes classes at New Taipei City-headquartered Tamkang University as well as visits to major tourist attractions such as Taipei 101 and National Chang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Participants will also enjoy tours of historic buildings and museums in the city’s Beitou District, Datong District’s Dadaocheng neighborhood and New Taipei’s Tamsui District.
The central Taiwan tour package consists of lessons at National Changhua University of Education and takes visitors to destinations like Lugang Township and the Baiguoshan Scenic Area in Changhua County. Participants will also be introduced to local arts and crafts through hands-on activities such as dough-figurine sculpting and lion dance.
Based in Kaohsiung City, the southern Taiwan tour routes comprise classes at National Sun Yat-sen University, trips to attractions like Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Monastery and Hakka Cultural Village and activities including windsurfing and kayaking.
Indigenous and Hakka cultures are the focus of the eastern Taiwan program. The package based in Hualien County comprises lessons at Tzu Chi University and trips to aboriginal villages and Hualien Cultural Creative Industries Park.
Registration for the packages is now open online on the Mandarin On-The-Go website. Prices vary from NT$800-$3,000 (US$26-$99) per person per day.
According to MOE statistics, more than 40 institutions in Taiwan offer Mandarin classes or programs. The number of foreign students of Mandarin in the country has increased steadily in recent years, rising more than 7 percent year on year to almost 20,000 in 2016. (KWS-E)
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