Taiwan Language Programs

[StealthyBurrito]

I know this topic has been covered before, but I have a few specific questions.

I'm looking to spend a quarter or a semester studying in Taipei, starting spring of 2006 and ending summer (pref. June) of 2006. Basically I am deciding between studying at Taishida (NTNU) for a quarter starting March, or studying at CIEE's National Chengchi (Zhengzhi) University for the spring semester. I've also read about the Mandarin Learning Center at the Chinese Culture University thanks to these forums, so I am considering that possibility.

My other option, which I'd take if everyone highly recommends, is going back to school for the spring then spending an entire year in Taiwan with the ILCP at Taida (NTU) or with my school's own Education Abroad Program also at Taida. Obviously this would delay my graduation and I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.

Does anyone have any firsthand experience with any of the 4 programs listed above? Specifically, how good the program was (flexibility, coursework, teachers, class size), what life was like on campus, how the dorms were, etc.?

My written Chinese is equivalent to about a year in simplified, and about half a year in traditional (in reality I've only had 1 quarter of simplified, but going from traditional to simplified is pretty easy). My spoken and listening is close to native, so I think I can get past any minimum language requirement.

Thanks.

[hughitt1]

I would go with the year long at 台大 if it's at all possible. you will improve a whole lot if you put the effort into it, and it's worth it. It also depends on what you plan to use your chinese for- if you plan to go onto graduate school, do translation, or work with classical texts, you would want to stay for a year at least.

If you are going to decide between semester-long programs, then 師大 is the better of the program from what i've heard.

Either way, you should look into the Ministry of Education scholarships if you have not already-- The MOE in taiwan is very generous when it comes to foreigners coming to study chinese.

best,

keith

[wix]

Check out Study in Taiwan. You should find some info about scholarships there.

[StealthyBurrito]

Thanks for the reminder about the MoE scholarships. I read that a while ago and completely forgot about it.

[StealthyBurrito]

A bump with a few more questions...

It seems that the MoE scholarship deadline (in the spring) was made for applicants who will be participating in yearlong programs starting in the fall. Is it possible to apply for a scholarship any other time (i.e, now), or am I out of luck?

Also, from searches I know there are a few people who have attended NCCU. Can anyone give me firsthand feedback regarding the NCCU program? I just visited the campus today, and I definitely liked what I saw. Thanks again.

[Guest]

One of my old roommates studied at ICLP. In one year he went from noing no Chinese to being able to read magazines, read the news, and understand 99% of what's on TV (excluding Taiwanese language stuff and zongyijiemus that require a lot of background knowledge about celebrities). His classmates also seemed to make the same kind of astounding progress. I studied at Shida for over a year and don't even approach that level of Chinese. Actually, I know people who studied at Shida or Wenhuadaxue for 2 and a half years and don't even approach that kind of Chinese. On the other hand their tuition bills don't approach ICLP's either. I have another friend who goes to Zhengzhi (chengchi) and seems to like it, but it's not totally blowing him away either.

If you have the money, do ICLP.

[Harvey]

How does ICLP compare to IUP?

The ICLP and IUP programs have a requirement that you come in with a year or two of University level Chinese under your belt. How long would it take to reach level that would allow you to enter these programs if studying at BCLU or a school in Dalian or something?

In one year he went from noing no Chinese to being able to read magazines, read the news, and understand 99% of what's on TV

Not from knowing 'no Chinese' though right? These programs require prior knowledge.

http://ccms.ntu.edu.tw/~iclp/ ADMISSIONS

The following persons are eligible to apply for admissions: those who (1) have a background in Chinese language equivalent to at least one-year of college-level training, (2) are degree candidates at an accredited university or college pursuing Chinese-related studies, (3) show potential in a Chinese-related field of study, or (4) are committed to a career in which the use of Chinese is crucial.

--

Actually I don't get this.

1. 1 yr background

2. enrolled in school

3. show potential in field OR????

4. are commited to career.

What do they mean OR?

Does the Or apply to 1, 2, 3, and 4 actually? Are these all independent? If so.. I could go to ICLP even though I don't have a background in Chinese, and am currently not enrolled in any school?

[笨笨德]

hey dont worry about it too much, if you pay the money they will let you in... lots of language school blow lots of hot air on their webpage and introduction days etc, but if there is a space in the course and you are willing to give them money they will let you in provided you are not a complete beginner... after all these places are businesses too...

[Guest]

Actually I don't get this.

1. 1 yr background

2. enrolled in school

3. show potential in field OR????

4. are commited to career.

They really do mean or. My old roommate was an international affairs major who had just passed the written US State Dept. test. He wanted to do diplomatic work related to China. Despite having no background in Chinese before coming to Taiwan, he qualified under #4.

[amandagmu]

IUP is a highly-respected program. By that I mean it is often a place that doctoral students go to tighten their Chinese skills for a specific study - e.g., reading historical primary sources in Chinese. Also, it's at least in part run by UC Berkeley and I think Stanford (?).

I've also heard great things about the program and am considering it, assuming I can get into a PhD program first. This is because it is ungodly expensive compared to all other options and until you're actually in a graduate program somewhere you can't get a dime. Also, it's very selective and requires an interview over the phone for ten minutes (and I'm guessing this isn't like the BLCU oral exam, I think they actually get respected professors to conduct these). All in all, it seems nerve racking but the program, as you've pointed out, seems to pay off bigtime.

~Amanda

[taobenli]

Amanda-

What are you hoping to study at the PhD level?

I have applied for PhD programs in anthropology (for studying both China and Korea) and am anxiously awaiting replies....

taobenli