Learning Chinese

Whether you’re coming to NTU as a degree student or as a non-degree student, your time in Taipei is the perfect opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese. We offer classes for degree students and also various short-term programs for non-degree students.

Free Chinese courses for NTU students

Studying in Taiwan is a perfect opportunity to learn or brush up on your Chinese. In efforts to aid students in breaking language barriers, and further experiencing local culture, NTU provides the following 3 types of Chinese courses free of charge. These courses are available to all degree, exchange, and visiting students at NTU.

College Chinese

College Chinese is mandatory for all undergraduate degree students—except those in select English-taught programs—as part of their graduation requirements. Students dive deeper into Taiwanese culture and literature through these classes, further honing their reading, writing, and comprehension skills.

General & Enhancing Chinese

General Chinese is for international students who wish to learn or improve their Chinese language skills. Classes are available at different levels, ranging from absolute beginners to fluent conversationalists. For those looking for a more intense schedule, Enhancing Chinese offers additional hours of Chinese classes each week.

Applied Chinese

Applied Chinese consists of topical courses that can be taken for credits. Topics include day-to-day use, business, classics, idioms, poetry, and even Taiwanese. Through these practical yet interesting subjects, students get to further experience local culture.

Learning Chinese as a non-NTU student

Taiwan, where Mandarin Chinese is the official language, is an excellent country to study the Chinese language — both spoken and written. We use traditional characters, which further forms a perfect basis to study the simplified characters that are derived from it. This means studying Chinese in Taiwan equips students with the most versatile set of linguistic tools to engage with the Chinese-speaking world. Taiwan is also home to a variety of Chinese topolects such as Taiwanese and Hakka, attesting to the island’s cultural diversity.

Students coming to Taiwan will find that NTU is an ideal place to study Chinese. Every year, many international students with different proficiency levels and motivations come to NTU to make use of its rich language learning resources. We have a reputation for effective language teaching and considerable expertise in offering well-tailored, interactive, and empowering classes to diverse students.

NTU Plus Academy Short-Term Programs

NTU Plus Academy provides intriguing courses for students from around the world to experience Taiwan and NTU for 4-6 weeks through topic-based short-term programs, including language learning programs. All courses can be taken for credits, and students will be provided a transcript and certificate upon completion. The following are the Chinese language courses offered by NTU Plus Academy.

Chinese Language & Culture

With different themes that tie together daily language class, cultural activities and interactions with locals, this course also offers a series of English-language lectures and field trips for students to explore specific environmental and sociocultural aspects of Taiwan.

Advanced Chinese Sinology

The two courses offered, Modern Taiwanese Literature and Culture, and Chinese Lyric Poetry, aim at cultivating students’ abilities to understand reading materials, comprehend culture and become familiar with research trends. In addition to academic courses, students also visit sites that hold significant cultural meaning.

Chinese Translation & Culture

Designed especially for non-native Chinese-speakers with advanced English and Chinese skills, this course helps establish a solid foundation in Chinese-English translation. The program also includes excursions for an in-depth exploration of the diversity of Taiwan.

Chinese Language Division of the Language Center (CLD)

Chinese Language Division of the Language Center (CLD) has year-round Mandarin Chinese programs for all levels of proficiencies. Classes are conducted in Chinese even for beginners, offering an all-Chinese-speaking environment, and encouraging students to speak in Chinese under all circumstances. CLD also arranges orientation and campus tours for new students, as well as spring and autumn excursions to famous cultural attractions.

International Chinese Language Program (ICLP)

International Chinese Language Program (ICLP) offers year-long intensive total immersion programs at 20 hours per week for serious Chinese-language learners. Available in both traditional and simplified Chinese, the courses provided cover a wide range of professional and practical subjects, including culture, news, films, business, law, literature, classical Chinese, translation, etc. ICLP features small class sizes (1-4 students), long-term and short-term customized programs, frequent guest lectures, and extra-curricular programs such as pronunciation, calligraphy, debate, creative writing, Chinese painting classes, and more.

Scholarships for Chinese/Mandarin Learners

The following scholarships are only available for students studying at a registered Mandarin Language Center approved by the Ministry of Education (MOE), and should be applied for directly through MOE or with the Taiwan overseas mission in your home country. NTU is not involved with the application of these scholarships and cannot provide assistance with your applications. Any questions you may have regarding these scholarships should be addressed to the relevant parties directly.

  • MOFA Taiwan Scholarship

    Requirements:

    In principle, this scholarship is granted to students from countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, special consideration may also be given to students from other countries.

    Benefits:

    – One-way economy-class plane tickets for direct flights to and from Taiwan
    – Monthly stipend of NTD 25,000 (USD 833)

    Maximum Duration: 1 year

    How to Apply:

    Apply through the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program Office

  • MOE Huayu Enrichment Scholarship

    Requirements:

    Nationalities from countries deemed eligible by MOE

    Benefits:

    Monthly stipend of NTD 25,000 (USD 833)

    Maximum Duration:

    2 (summer programs), 3, 6, 9, or 12 months

    How to Apply:

    Apply through the Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship Program Office

  • Taiwan Huayu BEST Program

    Requirements:

    Be above the age of 18.
    Is currently a full-time undergraduate or graduate student of one of the following universities: Indiana University, Temple University, The University of Texas at Austin, Washington University in St. Louis, University of St Andrews, Michigan State University, Cornell University

    Benefits:

    For the monthly scholarship: NTD 25,000 (USD 833/per month)
    For the short-term scholarship: NTD 6,000 (USD 200/per week)

    Maximum Duration:

    Monthly Scholarship: 3, 6, 9, or 12 months
    Short-Term Scholarship: 2-6 weeks

    How to Apply:

    Please follow the procedures on the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program office website.