California Pioneers US–Taiwan Language Learning Exchange Trend

December 8, 2024 TruthUSA

As of now, 66 Taiwan Centers for Mandarin Learning have been established across 19 states, with California leading the way with 20 centers—more than any other state.

News Analysis

Becoming a student at a Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML) has emerged as a favored choice among American adults eager to improve their Mandarin Chinese skills. California has taken the lead in this growing trend.

On December 3, 2020, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) signed and launched the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative, designed to facilitate Mandarin learning for Americans and promote English education for Taiwanese, aiding Taiwan in reaching its 2030 bilingual education objectives.

AIT and TECO act as the representative offices for the U.S. and Taiwan, maintaining their unofficial diplomatic relationship.

With the backing of both governments, 66 TCMLs have been established throughout 19 U.S. states, with California boasting 20 centers—more than any other state.

Mandarin Chinese ranks among the 13 languages identified by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs as crucial to national security and economic prosperity.

Prior to 2021, Mandarin education in the U.S. was predominantly offered through Confucius Institutes, funded and backed by the Chinese communist government. However, following controversies related to the Institutes’ operations, Taiwan-supported TCMLs have gained traction and become a primary source for Mandarin education among American adults.

Tailored Programs for Diverse Learners

TCML programs are delivered to U.S. communities in collaboration with local Chinese language schools in various countries.

The Epoch Times recently spoke with several students enrolled in the TCML program at I Fly Young Mandarin School, a local Mandarin language institution in Fremont, California.

Sam Carlos, a Google software engineer, previously spent a year studying in Taiwan through a U.S.-Taiwan student exchange scholarship. He cherishes the experiences he had at Taiwan’s night markets and his fondness for stinky tofu—a renowned Taiwanese delicacy. After returning to the U.S., he joined Google’s TCML Mandarin program to continue honing his skills.

Carlos noted that the program includes training tailored to workplace scenarios like job interviews, company meetings, and interactions with colleagues in Mandarin. He also mentioned to The Epoch Times that he plans to visit Taiwan again during this year’s holiday season.

Hadassah Byamukama, an 18-year-old high school senior, joined TCML after being inspired by her Mandarin-speaking friends. Eager to engage in their conversations, she started studying Mandarin while preparing for her college applications. She especially enjoys learning Mandarin songs, like “Best Friend,” a popular Taiwanese song that won her first place in a global TCML singing competition.

Byamukama told The Epoch Times that her mother, who has also developed an interest in Mandarin, has been joining her in the same courses and has appreciated the TCML experience.

Musicians Krysta and Daniel Henrietta, a couple from Missouri, relocated to California to support a local church community. Learning Mandarin became crucial for them to communicate with their Taiwanese and Chinese congregants. After completing TCML courses in Fremont, they moved to Taiwan to immerse themselves further in the language.

Krysta praised the cultural activities offered by TCML, including traditional games, food tastings, and field trips. The couple explored iconic sites like the National Palace Museum and night markets, deeply engaging with Taiwan’s culture. They later invited their parents to Taiwan, serving as their tour guides.

Now pregnant, Krysta applauded Taiwan’s healthcare quality and shared with The Epoch Times her plans to volunteer with her husband at their church in Taiwan in the future.

Participation of Local Schools and Government

With the involvement of Mandarin language schools globally, TCML training programs not only provide a Taiwanese cultural experience but also reflect the unique characteristics of the regions and communities hosting them.

The program offered through I Fly Young Mandarin School showcases how TCML addresses local needs.

Founded in 2013, I Fly Young offers Mandarin education for adults and K–12 students, along with various vocational training programs tailored for adult learners in the workplace.

In an interview with The Epoch Times, the school principal, Shan Shengling, shared her prior experience as vice president of the Northern California Chinese Language Association, where she first learned about TCML.

Since 2023, her school has been active in the TCML program, providing Mandarin training classes in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Shan has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years. Before engaging with TCML, her focus was primarily on teaching Mandarin to children aged 5 to 18, catering to the needs of overseas Chinese communities.

“I wanted to provide more for the community I live in,” she expressed.

TCML’s mission to deliver Mandarin education for American adults has opened up more opportunities for educators like Shan. The program’s offerings extend to adults like the Henrietta couple and Byamukama’s mother, broadening I Fly Young’s educational reach within the local community.

Shan emphasized that the TCML curriculum is specifically designed for adults, prioritizing listening, speaking, and practical application, which aligns well with the requirements of adult learners. Additionally, TCML provides training programs for teachers utilizing its materials, streamlining resources for overseas Mandarin schools.

Shan also highlighted the adaptability of TCML courses, which are tailored to adult learners. All course materials and resources are available online, allowing students to supplement classroom learning independently. Those who wish to delve deeper can access additional content online, accommodating the diverse needs of adult learners.

Recently, the city of Fremont initiated a partnership with TECO, offering Mandarin training classes to city employees through I Fly Young. Shao Yang, a Fremont city council member, informed The Epoch Times that the program has been met with positive feedback, and neighboring city San Jose is contemplating a similar initiative.

Sophia Chuang, director of TECO Culture Center in Milpitas, Calif., speaks to the Epoch Times about TCML on Oct. 18, 2024. (Nathan Su/The Epoch Times) — Sophia Chuang, director of TECO Culture Center in Milpitas, Calif., speaks to the Epoch Times about TCML on Oct. 18, 2024.Nathan Su/The Epoch Times

From Confucius Institutes to TCML Programs

According to Sophia Chuang, director of the TECO Culture Center in Milpitas, California, the adoption of Taiwan’s Mandarin education programs by the U.S. and other Western nations stems from concerns regarding the lack of academic freedom in Confucius Institutes supported by China. Sensitive topics such as Taiwan, the Tiananmen Square Massacre, and Tibet were off-limits at these Institutes, which were accused of functioning as tools for intelligence collection.

The first Confucius Institute in the United States was established by the University of Maryland on November 17, 2004, closing in early 2020. Prior to 2020, the Confucius Institutes, as overseas Chinese language institutions backed by Beijing, had set up over 100 branches in various U.S. states.

In December 2006, Li Changchun, a member of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Politburo Standing Committee, stated at the CCP’s National Propaganda Ministers’ Conference that the establishment of Confucius Institutes was a key component of promoting the “socialist core value system.”

Confucius Institutes played a significant role in China’s global public relations strategies. As per a report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Beijing invests over $10 billion each year in its global propaganda initiatives.

Over the years, numerous Western media outlets reported ongoing controversies surrounding Confucius Institutes, accusing them of serving as channels for the Chinese government to gather intelligence on U.S. universities, faculty, and students.

In December 2014, during an interview with the BBC, Xu Lin, then director-general of the Confucius Institute headquarters, revealed that individuals practicing Falun Gong were barred from working at overseas Confucius Institutes as all teachers were Chinese nationals required to adhere to CCP regulations.

First introduced in China in 1992, Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice based on principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, and has faced persecution by the CCP since July 1999 due to its widespread appeal.

After 2018, many Confucius Institutes in Western nations began shutting down. Sec. 1091 of the 2019 U.S. National Defense Authorization Act limited federal funding for foreign language programs at U.S. universities hosting Confucius Institutes. In August 2020, the U.S. State Department designated Confucius Institutes as foreign operatives within the United States.

By the end of 2023, fewer than five Confucius Institutes were still operational in the United States.

Since the launch of the U.S.-Taiwan Education Initiative in 2020, both sides have conducted four high-level dialogues. These discussions involved governmental bodies like AIT, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Taiwan’s Ministry of Education.

In subsequent efforts, AIT, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and National Chung Cheng University have organized multiple seminars involving English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to advance the principles and goals of the initiative.

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