Taiwan: funds offered for mother-tongue [not Mandarin] education

Wed Apr 12 12:59:42 UTC 2006

Published on TaipeiTimes
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/04/11/2003302096

Taiwan Quick Take: Language funds offered

Tuesday, Apr 11, 2006,Page 3

The Ministry of Education is now offering subsidies for kindergartens to
promote mother-tongue language education nationwide. The ministry is now
accepting applications from up to 50 kindergartens for subsidies worth
NT$70,000 (US$2,188) each. Ministry officials said they hoped that
mother-tongue language learning would start at a younger age so that kids
in kindergarten could learn to listen to and speak native languages
through stories, songs and other activities. They would also learn to
appreciate Taiwanese culture at a younger age, officials said. The
ministry will offer subsidies for Hoklo (commonly known as Taiwanese) and
Aboriginal languages, while Hakka subsidies will be given according to
Council of Hakka Affairs rules. The plan is expected to be carried out
starting in the fall semester of this year, officials said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2006/04/11/2003302096