TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A pilot program that allows students from four universities to apply to top US schools without taking the TOEFL makes Taiwan the first non-English-speaking country to have its English-medium instruction (EMI) coursework recognized by leading US institutions.
Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) announced Monday the launch of a pilot program granting a TOEFL waiver based on a set number of EMI courses, per Liberty Times. Students at National Sun Yat-sen University, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan University, and National Taiwan Normal University may apply to Arizona State University, New York University, Teachers College at Columbia University, and the University of Maryland under the initiative.
Cheng said the ministry launched its bilingual higher education program four years ago to boost students’ international mobility. Through collaboration with top US universities at the national level, Taiwan has become the first non-English-speaking country whose EMI coursework is recognized by leading US institutions, a privilege previously limited to English-speaking nations or Singapore.
Fulbright Taiwan Executive Director Randall Nadeau said bilingual education strengthens the competitiveness of young Taiwanese and enables more countries to recognize Taiwan’s contributions and value.
Department of Higher Education Director Chen Hao-hui (陳浩會) said that in February next year, eight EMI students from the four universities will be the first to participate in exchange programs in the US. The first round of applications for Taiwanese students will open in August, with the number of spots negotiated between the partner universities.
National Sun Yat-sen University Vice President Kuo Chih-wen (郭志文) said the university has offered over 1,340 EMI courses over the past five years. Fourth-year student Fu Kuan-wen (傅冠文) from the university’s Department of Applied Mathematics said using English to host international guests and tutor math has earned him considerable extra income and boosted his confidence in his future career.
National Taiwan Normal University Vice President Ying Yung-hsiang (印永翔) said all undergraduate departments offer at least 18 credits of EMI courses. Student Wu Hsin-Wei (吳信緯) said EMI courses have broadened his horizons and opened doors abroad, and he will participate in an exchange program in Germany next semester.
