Chinese Schools in Taiwan

Taiwan has become the hot destination for learning Chinese due to its complete repertoire of Chinese culture, standard Chinese characters and the attractive tone. There are 47 government designated Chinese schools and numerous private Chinese institutes. Here we will give a general introduction of some good Chinese schools in Taiwan based on the living cost, tuition, location and lifestyle.

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Taipei

Monthly Rent: $550 (Single Bed with basic utilities, electricity, cable, gas, water and internet)
Monthly Expense: $500 - $600

For westerners, Taipei is the familiar western-style comfort zone and has the largest foreigner population in Taiwan. Living cost might still be affordable by western standards. So Taipei is the first choice for westerners.

The only 2 things which might make you uncomfortable are the overcrowded environment and the annoying weather, humid hot in summer and damp cold in winter.

Chinese Language Division (CLD, National Taiwan University)

(國立台灣大學文學院)

CLD is one of the two Chinese institutes in the campus of National Taiwan University (NTU). Another one, ICLP, accepts students only from abroad sister universities. So ICLP is not listed here.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 5-7 people
• No summer short-term program
• Cultural class holds every month for up to 30 students for free

Location and facilities

• NTU campus connects 2 MRT (metro) stations and many bus lines
• Surrounded by Gongguan night market, shopping streets, restaurants, bars and bookstores
• Access to the library for free
• Access to the gym, the swimming pool, squash courts, tennis courts, badminton courts, rock-climbing courts with student prices

Cons

• No extra supplementary classes
• CLD registration is limited and competitive that you shall register 4-5 months earlier
• Rent for housing/apartment in this region is fairly high

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 35,000 (USD$ 1,076) for 180 hours (Spring, Summer and Fall)
• Small sized class：NT$ 29,100 (USD$ 895) for 150 hours (Winter)
• Tuition will rise NT$ 5,000 (USD$ 154) to the original price from Fall Semester 2017 on

Comments & Useful Links:

• It's mostly popular with students from Japan and Korea, and tends to be more 'serious' than on holidays.

Mandarin Training Center (MTC, National Taiwan Normal University)

(國立台灣師範大學國語教學中心)

MTC of National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU, aka Shi-da) is the oldest Chinese institute in Taiwan and has the most language students every year.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 6-10 people or individual class
• 2-month summer program offered
• Use the self-edited teaching material from Spring Semester 2016
• Supplementary class (Large Language Class) offered for free
• Cultural excursion offered on demand with price of NT$ 4,500 for 3 months
• Elective courses offered (Taiwanese, Kongfu, Chinese Medicine, Chinese Movie, Poetry Appreciation)

Location and facilities

• NTNU campus connects 1 MRT (metro) station and many bus lines
• Close to the famous Shi-da night market, restaurants, bars and bistros
• The nightlife is very dynamic in this area
• Access to the library free
• Access to the gym and the swimming pool with student prices

Cons

• Too many foreigners in this area might shut your chance for Mandarin practices
• Rent for housing/apartment in this region is fairly high

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 32,400 (USD$ 997) for 180 hours per semester
• Individual class：NT$ 84,000 (USD$ 2,585) for 180 hours per semester

Comments & Useful Links:

• Mandarin Training Center at NTNU for Dummies
• It's worth noting that at MTC many of the beginner students are there more on holiday than to study, although that drops off outside summer and as you get to higher levels.

Mandarin Learning Center (MLC, Chinese Culture University)

(文化大學城區部)

MLC of Chinese Culture University (CCU) opens classes every month with relatively low price in Taipei. It operates more like a cram school with a flexible course schedule. So it is very popular among the foreign businessmen in Taiwan.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 6-12 people or individual class
• Special classes like Chinese singing or Chinese TV learning

Location and facilities

• MLC has a bus stop and is 25 minutes walking distant from the MRT station
• Close to the biggest park in Taipei
• Access to the MLC multi-media Chinese learning system
• Nearby homestay offered on demand

Cons

• No cultural excursion offered
• MLC is a single building without any facilities like the library or sport courts

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 25,000 (USD$ 769) for 165 Hours
• Individual class hourly fee：NT$ 500 - NT$ 1,000 (USD$ 15.4 - USD$ 30.8) depending on the teaching location. At least 20 hours must be booked.

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Taichung

Monthly Rent: $350 (Single Bed with basic utilities, electricity, cable, gas, water and internet)
Monthly Expense: $300 - $400

Taichung is located in the the central Taiwan. The climate is comfortable with little rain and less typhoon damages. In recent years, it has been developed so fast that the transportation and the living standard is fairly good.

FCU Chinese Language Center

(逢甲大學華語中心)
Fengchia University (FCU) CLC is the oldest Chinese institute and has the most students in central Taiwan. In front of FCU is the famous Fengchia night market so eating, shopping and entertainment are very convenient.

Class and Curriculum

• Seasonal small-sized class (numbers of students unclear)
• 2-week summer program offered
• Cultural excursion offered every semester for free
• Chinese tutorial and advisory hours offered for free
• FCU-CLC has the lowest tuition so it is very popular among the Southeast Asian students
• Elective courses offered (Taiwanese, Simplified Characters, Business Chinese, Word Processing, Chinese Literature, Chinese Philosophy, Chinese History and Culture)

Location and facilities

• FCU has a bus stop
• Access to the library free
• Access to the gym with student prices
• On-campus housing is available (No private room offered)

Cons

• FCU campus is relatively small and lacks many facilities
• Besides bus, you need a scooter or bicycle to really cover all the city
• English is not useful in Taichung so you have to speak Mandarin only

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 23,500 (USD$ 732) for 180 Hours - the cheapest in Taiwan

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Tainan

Monthly Rent: $250 (Single Bed with basic utilities, electricity, cable, gas, water and internet)
Monthly Expense: $250 - $350

Tainan is a very popular touristic destination in Taiwan. It is always sunny with little rain. You can feel the life tempo here is comfortably slow. Plus Tainan is the cultural and cuisine capital of Taiwan. It is the best place for enjoying the life while studying Chinese in Taiwan.

NCKU Chinese Language Center

(國立成功大學華語中心)

National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) CLC is very excellent in Chinese teaching. Thanks to the rich educational and extra-curriculum resources in NCKU campus, NCKU-CLC offers students a good learning and leisure environment.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 6-12 people
• 1-month summer course offered
• Orientation event every semester
• Systematic and whole-rounded Mandarin training (zero to master in 2 year)
• Cultural excursion offered every month for free
• Elective courses offered (Chinese Singing, Chinese Painting, Taichi, Hands-on Culinary, Poetry Appreciation, Chinese Idiom Stories, Chinese Theater, Simplified Characters, Chinese Calligraphy, Business Conversation)

Location and facilities

• NCKU is right at Tainan train station and connects to many bus lines
• Surrounded by food streets, one department store, shopping and entertainment choices
• Access to the multi-media Chinese learning lab for free
• Access to the language buddy system and the 1-1 discussion room for free
• Access to the library for free
• Access to the gym, the swimming pool, tennis courts, badminton courts, rock-climbing courts with student prices

Cons

• Besides bus, you need a scooter or bicycle to really cover all the city
• English is not useful in Tainan so you have to speak Mandarin only

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 31,100 (USD$ 957) for 165 hours (Spring and Fall)
• Small sized class：NT$ 28,300 (USD$ 870) for 150 hours (Summer and Winter)
• Short-term summer class：NT$ 15,700 (USD$ 483) for 80 hours

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Kaohsiung

Monthly Rent: $300 (Single Bed with basic utilities, electricity, cable, gas, water and internet)
Monthly Expense: $300 - $400















Kaohsiung is the second largest city in Taiwan. It has MRT (metro), bus system and bike rental so the transportation is easy for foreigners. The climate is warm all year round and the winter is comfortable with little rain. This warm climate also molds the personality so you can feel the Kaohsiung people are even more friendly.

Wenzao Chinese Language Center

(文藻語文大學華語中心)
Wenzao University of Language (WZU) is the best language university in Taiwan. Its professional linguistic pedagogy makes studying Chinese here a good choice.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 5-10 people or individual class
• Cultural speech offered every month for free
• Cultural excursion offered every semester for free
• Extra 1-1 Chinese assistance offered for free
• Elective courses offered (Taichi, Kongfu, Taiwanese, Simplified Characters, Chinese Calligraphy)

Location and facilities

• WZU has a bus stop
• Access to the digital Chinese learning lab in WZU
• Access to the library for free
• Access to the gym and badminton courts with student prices
• Nearby homestay offered on demand

Cons

• WZU campus is relatively small and lacks many facilities
• English is not useful in Kaohsiung so you have to speak Mandarin only

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 27,225 (USD$ 837) for 165 hours
• Individual class hourly fee：NT$ 500 (USD$ 15.4)

NSYSU Chinese Language Center

(國立中山大學華語中心)
National Sun Yat-Sen University (NSYSU) has a very beautiful campus sitting besides the mountains and facing the ocean. Studying Chinese at NSYSU is really like a vacation.

Class and Curriculum

• Class size: 4-10 people
• 6-week summer course offered
• Cultural excursion offered every semester for free
• Extra supplementary course offered for free
• Extra 1-1 Chinese assistance offered for free
• Elective courses offered (Business Chinese, Taiwanese, Culture Exploration, Magazine Discussion)

Location and facilities

• NSYSU campus connects 1 MRT station and many bus lines
• Access to the library for free
• Access to the language buddy system for free
• On-campus housing is available (No private room offered)

Cons

• NSYSU-CLC's location is deep inside the huge campus and students have to take shuttle bus from the MRT station
• English is not useful in Kaohsiung so you have to speak Mandarin only

Tuition

• Small sized class：NT$ 29,700 (USD$ 914) for 165 hours
• 6-week summer class：NT$ 27,000 (USD$ 831) for 150 hours
• Individual class hourly fee：NT$ 500 (USD$ 15.4)

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Summary

Taipei and Kaohsiung are the only 2 cities having metro lines, so the transportation is easier for foreigners. However, the bus systems in Taichung and Tainan are now quite convenient. People in Taichung and Tainan are even encouraged to take bus by the 10-km free policy.

As far as budget is concerned, Taipei is almost double the cost of some cities like Tainan. You can really enjoy the urban life in Taipei, like clubbing, partying or shopping. For those who are looking for some Chinese culture experience, Tainan the early time capital of Taiwan, is the best pick. Taichung is between Taipei and Tainan. Kaohsiung is kinda combination of urban and suburban lifestyle.

For the sole purpose of Chinese learning, Tainan is recommended for the excellent Chinese school and the genuine cultural immersion.

Unit: USD	City	Monthly Cost	Season Tuition	Tuition down to hour	Cultural Trip	Elective Course	Supplementary Assistance
CLD (NTU)	Taipei	$1,100	$1,076	$5.97	Every Semester (Price depends)	No	No
MTL (CCU)	Taipei	$1,100	$997	$5.53	Monthly ($136 per season)	Yes	Yes
MTC (NTNU)	Taipei	$1,100	$769	$4.66	No	No	No
CLC (FCU)	Taichung	$700	$732	$4.06	Every Semester (Free)	No	Yes
CLC (NCKU)	Tainan	$550	$957	$5.80	Monthly (Free)	Yes	Yes
CLC (WZU)	Kaohsiung	$600	$837	$5.07	Every Semester (Free)	Yes	Yes
CLC (NSYSU)	Kaohsiung	$600	$914	$5.53	Monthly (Free)	Yes	Yes

Schedule of major Chinese schools in Taiwan: http://best-mandarin.com/chinese-course.html

What's your opinion or personal experience about this topic? Did I miss some points or bash your favorite city? Please let me know in the comments below.