NTNU President Signs Agreement to Strengthen U.S.-Taiwan Language Education Cooperation at ACTFL 2024
The 2024 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Annual Conference, held from November 22 to 24 in Philadelphia, included participation from Taiwan’s delegation, led by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan (FICHET). During the conference, Cheng-Chih Wu, president of NTNU and chairman of FICHET, signed a letter of intent with ACTFL Chair Dr. L. J. Randolph Jr. to strengthen collaboration in language education between Taiwan and the United States.
The signing was part of a series of initiatives highlighting Taiwan’s role in Mandarin education. The Taiwan Pavilion, planned and coordinated by FICHET with support from the MOE, brought together representatives from 21 organizations, including the Overseas Community Affairs Council, the National Academy for Educational Research, the Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency-Huayu, and Fulbright Taiwan, along with 13 Taiwanese universities and industry partners. The heads of the MOE’s six Education Divisions in the United States also joined the delegation.
Designed with a futuristic aesthetic, the Taiwan Pavilion emphasized Taiwan’s strengths as a 'technology island' and its close connections between higher education and global technological development. Exhibits showcased a variety of Mandarin programs, including customized courses, professional Mandarin training, and cultural studies, aimed at attracting international students to experience Taiwan’s local culture while learning Mandarin.
A Taiwan Mandarin Education Symposium was co-hosted by MOE, FICHET, and the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown on November 22. Held under the Taiwan-U.S. Education Initiative, the symposium brought together government and academic representatives to discuss opportunities for collaboration in Mandarin education. Key speakers included Eric Mackey, incoming chair of the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and superintendent of the Alabama State Department of Education; representatives from The College of New Jersey and the University of Pennsylvania, both of which collaborate with Taiwan on Mandarin education projects; and Christine Loven-Santos, principal of the Denver Language School. Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Tom Chih-chiang Lee of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in New York; Minister Chia-Ching Hsu of the Overseas Community Affairs Council; and Executive Director Ingrid Larson of AIT.
The symposium included the signing of the letter of intent by NTNU President Wu and ACTFL Chair Dr. Randolph. Following the signing, Executive Director Randall Nadeau of Fulbright Taiwan, moderated a discussion with members of the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages (NCSSFL), the National Association of District Supervisors of Foreign Languages (NADSFL), and local educators.
After the symposium, a Taiwan Night networking dinner hosted by FICHET provided an opportunity for further engagement among participants. Remarks were delivered by Ambassador Tom Chih-chiang Lee of TECO and Bureau Director Sara Mathews from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Office of Press and Public Diplomacy.
Speaking as FICHET Chairman, Cheng-Chih Wu noted that under the framework of the Executive Yuan’s Mandarin Education 2025 plan, NTNU and other Taiwanese universities have established collaborations with 70 American institutions and created five Mandarin learning centers in the U.S. In 2024, 147 Mandarin teachers were sent to the U.S. to support language education initiatives as part of the Huayu BEST initiative.
Currently, more than 2,000 American students are studying Mandarin in Taiwan. According to Ambassador Lee, factors such as Taiwan’s open learning environment, high-quality teaching resources, and cultural diversity contribute to its appeal as a destination for Mandarin learners.
Taiwan’s participation at ACTFL 2024 highlights its efforts to enhance Mandarin education globally and to strengthen ties with the United States. NTNU’s involvement reflects its significant role in fostering educational collaboration between the two countries.