Second Language Learning in Taiwan: A Stocktaking of the Current Situation in Institutional German Instruction

Abstract

This is an overview of second language education in Taiwan that discusses a host of related topics: (1) the diverse sociolinguistic situation in Taiwan today; (2) the relationship between autochthonous, Chinese, & Japanese languages during Japanese colonization on the island (1895-1945); (3) English as the dominant language in second language education in present-day Taiwan; (4) tertiary languages in the educational system: Japanese, Korean, German, French, & Spanish; (5) German as a second language instruction at the primary, secondary, & tertiary education levels & statistics & comparisons with other tertiary languages; (6) German teaching & studies at Taiwanese universities; (7) German courses offered by outside-university institutions (e.g., the Goethe Institute); (8) organizations promoting & supporting German teaching & learning -- the German Teachers Union in Taiwan; (9) German instruction at the universities: enrollment requirements, major/minor program structure, curricula, examinations, & certification/diploma; (10) motives for learning German &/or pursuing careers in German studies; & (11) student/graduate exchange programs. Z. Dubiel