1. Introduction

The rise of the Asian economy and the spread of influence among ethnic Chinese have turned Mandarin Chinese into a dominant language in the 21st century; the number of students studying Mandarin Chinese has also increased. NTNU is the largest and most prestigious Mandarin language training center and Mandarin language teacher cultivation center in Taiwan. NTNU trains first-rate Mandarin language talent from different countries who return to their homeland and dedicate their efforts to spread the Taiwanese culture; these students have provided significant assistance in elevating NTNU’s professional, academic, and international image. However, many students lack the means to continuous professional training in their native homes, leading to substantial gaps in the training of advanced-level overseas Mandarin teachers.

To accommodate global digital learning trends and solve the shortage of advanced-level overseas Mandarin teachers, NTNU created the first “Online Continuing Education Master’s Program of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language” in 2016 to integrate NTNU’s professional faculty resources in providing a channel for professional advanced studies for overseas Mandarin educators, or overseas professionals who wish to strengthen their teaching abilities. The program also seeks to cultivate advanced-level overseas Mandarin teachers to satisfy the global demand for professional Mandarin teachers as well as high-level talent and digital technology for the management of Mandarin language education applications.

Program Characteristics:

  • Internationalized student recruitment
    The program is designed for teachers currently working as Mandarin teachers overseas.
  • Digitalized teaching model
    Program courses are taught via distance learning.
  • Specialized course design
    Program courses have been certified by the Ministry of Education’s digital learning curriculum.
  • Diversified personnel training
    The program provides training for advanced-level Mandarin teachers, Mandarin teaching and research personnel, as well as Mandarin teaching management personnel.
2. Quota
30 students will enroll.
3. Eligibility

Applicants must fulfill the following requirements of academic credentials, nationality, and work experience, as well as additional eligibility criteria from the department (p.12-14):

  • A. Academic credentials:
    Applicants who have graduated and received a bachelor’s degree from a Ministry of Education accredited domestic university or independent college, a foreign university or independent college recognized by the Ministry of Education, or those possess equivalent academic records.
    *For requirements of academic credentials, please refer to the “Standards for Recognition of Equivalent Educational Leves for University Admission”(Attachment 1).
  • B. Nationality:
    In compliance with Subparagraph 1, Paragraph 1, Article 7 of the Guidelines for Application and Review Procedures of Digital Learning Programs established by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China, the program recruits students who have jobs, live abroad, and fulfill one of the following criteria:
    1.Nationals of Taiwan with passports issued by the Republic of China.
    2.Foreign nationals.
    3.Residents of Hong Kong or Macao.
    4.Expatriates of Mainland China.
  • C. Work experience:
    Individuals who are currently living abroad with more than one year of work experience working overseas and are still employed.
    *“Abroad” refers to areas outside Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu.
4. Application
  • Period for submission of applications: From January 2, 2024 (Tue.) to March 31, 2024 (Sun.) (Taiwan Time).
  • Application method: Applicants should log onto the university’s application system during the application period to submit their applications and upload the required documents.
  • Registration Website: https://enroll.co.ntnu.edu.tw/recruit/#!/Index
  • Application fee: NT$ 2,250, payable online by credit card. Applications will not be accepted until the application fee has been paid in full.
  • Required documents: Please upload digital files that are clear and easy to read.
    • One digital copy of the applicant’s original passport.
    • A color photo in digital format of the applicant above the waist taken in the most recent year.
      • High color 2-inch image file in JPG format.
      • Resolution must be no lower than 300 dpi, highest resolution must be no more than 500 dpi. Digital photograph images should not be larger than 1 MB or smaller than 100 KB.
    • One digital copy of the original copy of the applicant’s diploma from the highest degree obtained. If the original diploma is not printed in Chinese or English, an additional Chinese or English translation must be provided.
    • One digital copy of the original copy of the applicant’s transcript for the most recent academic year. If the original transcript is not printed in Chinese or English, an additional Chinese or English translation must be provided.
    • Applicant who is not with a diploma from Taiwan, please sign the “Deposition of Admission Documents” (Attachment 2) and upload the completed form to the registration system.
    ※For applicants with a diploma from a Hong Kong, Macao, or foreign institute, they must, in addition to uploading digital copies of the diploma and transcripts containing grades obtained through all years of study, also complete the relevant authentication procedures at an overseas representative office of Taiwan after being admitted.
    ※ In addition to uploading digital copies of the original graduation certification (verification), the diploma and transcript issued by the institute, applicants with a diploma from Mainland China must also, after admission, complete notarization procedures with related agencies (please refer to the “Mainland Chinese University Diploma Verification Network” at: https://mewtwo.nchu.edu.tw/enroll/vmhd)。
    ※Diploma recognition shall be processed in accordance with related regulations of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of China.
    • Admission Prospectus Certificate of Employment (Attachment 3).
    • Certificate of Employment from the Place of Work.
    • One copy of the applicant’s study plan or research plan in Chinese (please refer to Appendix 4 and Appendix 5).
    • One copy of the applicant’s autobiography in Chinese (approximately 800 words, please refer to Appendix 6).
    • Two letters of recommendation written by teachers or supervisors at work.
    • Proof of related work experience: Such as work experience in Mandarin teaching and overseas Chinese education. (Omit if inapplicable)
    • Other information: Academic-industry collaborations, academic publications, or papers and thematic reports, etc. (Omit if inapplicable)
    • Those who wish to apply for Division B (please see p.12 for the eligibility criteria) must not only submit the required documents specified above for review, but also fill out the Application Form for Eligibility Review of Entrance Examination (Attachment 7) and submit it along with proofs related to personal professional achievements.
    • In addition to submitting the above documents, those who wish to apply for Division C (please see p.12 for the eligibility criteria) must also provide the original copy of a qualified educator certificate issued by education authorities of Taiwan, foreign countries, or Mainland China, as well as supporting documents proving at least one year of experience teaching at an elementary, junior high, or senior high school (must be a full-time or full-time substitute teacher of a public or private school officially registered with the government).
  • Special notes:
    • If the application documents submitted are incomplete, or if an insufficient number of copies are provided, the application will viewed as disqualified and the applicant must bear the full responsibility.
    • Please ensure that the e-mail address and contact telephone number provided on the registration form are correct. NTNU may need to contact applicants; if an applicant fails to reply within the specified time limit, they will be deemed to have forfeited their rights as an applicant.
    • After the applicant has completed the registration process, please visit the registration website to check the document submission status.
    • Refund
      1. Applicants who have already paid their application fee may not request refund unless they fulfill the following requirements:

      (1) Those who overpay the application fee (excluding those who make duplicate applications or apply in an incorrect system)

      (2) Those who have paid the application fee but whose applications fail.

      1. Application timeline and procedure: Those who fulfill the aforementioned criteria for refund request must submit the Refund Request Form (Attachment 9) via email to the NTNU Admissions Committee by Tuesday, April 30, 2024 (Taiwan Time). Late submissions will not be processed. (Please email the form to ccliu1@ntnu.edu.tw, stating “Refund Request for Online Continuing Education Master’s Program of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language” in the subject line of the email)
      2. Amount of refund: Those who have paid the application fee will be refunded the fee amount minus a NT$300 handling fee via wire transfer by Sunday, June 30, 2024 (Taiwan Time).
  • Procedures for Review:
    • Information review, accounts for 50%.
    • Online oral exam, accounts for 50%. (Please prepare the online video conference software and conduct the online oral exam in accordance with the published schedule)
5. Admission announcements
  • Results are expected to be released on May 24, 2024 (Fri.) (Taiwan Time).
  • Admission standards: Applicants who score 70 and above are qualified, those who score under 70 will not be admitted. A certain number of students may be placed on the waiting list; if there are vacant slots among accepted students, students on the waiting list shall be admitted in order.
  • If the number of qualifying applicants is too low, the number of applicants admitted to the program may be below the specified quota; in such cases, no candidates will be placed on the waiting list.
  • In the event newly admitted students are discovered to have not complied with application regulations or there are inaccuracies in, forgeries of, deception, use of other people’s information and/or alteration of their documents and information, the University will promptly withdraw the admission or expel disqualified students from the school, no proof of academic certification shall be issued whatsoever. If any violations stated in the previous paragraph are discovered after the student has graduated, the student’s diploma shall be rescinded and announcements made regarding the cancellation of said students graduating qualifications.
  • An applicant who uses NTNU’s admission qualifications to gain inappropriate benefits and is proven to be true may have his/her admission qualifications revoked by NTNU.
  • Applicants will be notified of the application review results and waiting list notifications via e-mail. The list of accepted students will be announced on NTNU’s Office of Academic Affairs and program websites. Applicants should check the results online.
6. Registration
  • Enrollment of Accepted Students:
    Accepted students are requested to register online between Monday, May 27 and Sunday, June 9, 2024 (Taiwan Time); those who do not complete the registration process during this time shall be deemed as voluntarily waiving their admission qualifications, and may not make a remedy request for any reason. The vacancy shall be filled in the order of the students on the waiting list. Students on the waiting list who are admitted should register separately.
  • Notification of Enrollment for Applicants on the Waiting List:
    The replacement list for each group will be announced on NTNU’s websites, and a notification of enrollment will be sent by email. Students on the waiting list who are admitted should register according to the time and procedures specified on the website. Final wait-listed registration shall be completed by the deadline on the first day of the first semester of the 2024 academic year.
  •  Documents to be Submitted (Uploaded) at the Time of Registration:

    • A color photo in digital format of the applicant above the waist taken in the most recent year.
      • High color 2-inch image file in JPG format.
      • Resolution must be no lower than 300 dpi, highest resolution must be no more than 500 dpi. Digital photograph images should not be larger than 1 MB or smaller than 100 KB.
    • Identification Documents:
      • Nationals of Taiwan with passports issued by the Republic of China: Digital file of both sides of the applicant’s National ID card.
      • Foreign nationals, residents of Hong Kong or Macao, people of the Mainland China Area: Digital copy of the applicant’s original passport.
    • Academic record (equivalent certification) documents:
      • Accepted applicants with diplomas issued in Taiwan:
        1. Digital file of the applicant’s diploma from the highest degree obtained.
        2. Fill out and upload the “Diploma Verification Authorization Letter” to allow NTNU to verify with the corresponding institution. (Please download and print out the registration webpage of the program)
      • For accepted students with a diploma from a Hong Kong, Macao, or foreign institute, they must, in addition to uploading digital copies of the degree certificates and transcripts containing grades obtained through all years of study, complete the relevant authentication procedures at an overseas representative office of Taiwan, and mail the following hard copy documentation to NTNU:
        1. The original copy of the diploma authenticated by an overseas representative office of Taiwan.
        2. The original copy of transcripts containing grades obtained through all years of study authenticated by an overseas representative office of Taiwan.
        3. The original exit and entry records issued by the immigration and customs authority (if the applicant is a foreigner or an Overseas Chinese, it is not necessary to provide these records.)
          ​​​​※ If the original academic credentials and transcripts for all academic years are not printed in Chinese or English, an additional Chinese or English translation must be provided. The files may be submitted to the R.O.C. representative office in the relevant country for authentication, or notarized by a district court or public notary.
          ※ For the authentication of overseas diplomas, please refer to the “Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan) website at: https://www.boca.gov.tw/mp-1.html
      • In addition to uploading digital copies of the original graduation certification (verification) as well as the diploma and transcript issued by the institute, accepted students with a diploma from Mainland China must also complete notarization procedures with related agencies, and mail the following hard copy documentation to NTNU: (please refer to the “Mainland Chinese University Diploma Verification Network” at: https://mewtwo.nchu.edu.tw/enroll/vmhd)：
        1. Students with diplomas (graduated) from universities and higher education institutions in Mainland China recognized by Taiwan:
          1. An original copy or a valid digital copy of an authentication report of the diploma (graduation) certificate from the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center. (website: http://www.chsi.com.cn/）
          2. An original copy or a valid digital copy of an authentication report of the diploma (graduation) certificate from the China Academic Degrees & Graduation Education Development Center. (website: http://www.cdgdc.edu.cn/）
          3. The original copies of the authentication reports for transcripts containing grades obtained from past years of study issued by the China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center or China Academic Degrees & Graduation Education Development Center.
          4. Students with Masters’ degrees or above should submit complete digital copies of their dissertations.
          5. Taiwanese students should provide an original copy or a validated digital photocopy of the certificate of entry and exit dates (the certificate should include the entire duration of study in Mainland China) issued by the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior.
        2. Students with diplomas (study certifications) from universities or institutions in Mainland China recognized by Taiwan:
          1. A photocopy of proof of withdrawal (verification).
          2. A copy of transcripts containing grades obtained through all years of study.
          3. The notarization letter for copies of proof of withdrawal and transcripts notarized by a public notary in Mainland China.
          4. The aforementioned notarization letter must be authenticated by the Straits Exchange Foundation as matching the copy originally issued by the notarization agency in Mainland China.
    ※The diploma verification procedures in Hong Kong, Macau, Mainland China, and foreign regions are time-consuming. Please prepare the documentation as soon as possible and mail the original copy of verification documentation to NTNU:

    National Taiwan Normal University
    Office of Academic Affairs Graduate Studies Division
    No.162, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City 106, Taiwan. (R.O.C.)
    Tel：+886-2-7749-1107

    The mailing label must indicate “Diploma Documentation for the Online Continuing Education Master’s Program of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language”.
  • If an applicant is unable to submit academic certifications within the registration deadline, the applicant should sign a “Deposition of Admission Documents” (please download and print the form from the program registration webpage) and upload to the registration system during the registration period. The applicant must also submit all academic records by July 31, 2024 (Taiwan Time). Those who have not submit the required documents by this date shall be deemed as voluntarily waiving their admission qualifications and no objections may be raised or no enrollment requests may be made in any way. The vacancy shall be filled in order by students on the waiting list.
  • In the event newly admitted students are discovered to have not complied with application regulations or there are inaccuracies in, forgeries of, deception, use of other people’s information and/or alteration of their documents and information, the University will promptly withdraw the admission or expel disqualified students from the school, no proof of academic certification shall be issued whatsoever. If any violations stated in the previous paragraph are discovered after the student has graduated, the student’s diploma shall be rescinded and announcements made regarding the cancellation of said students graduating qualifications.
  • Deadline for Registration Fee Submission: July 31, 2024 (Taiwan Time). Accepted students who have completed the check-in procedure but fails to pay the registration fee before the payment deadline shall be regarded as forfeiting their admission; their admission qualifications shall be revoked and vacant spots shall be filled by applicants on the waiting list.
  • Applicants accepted for enrollment onto the program may not have their accepted status extended to a later date.
7. Tuition Fees
  • Payment Information (payment standards for 2024 are based on NTNU’s official announcements):
    • Basic Tuition/Fees: NT$29,000 per semester.
    • Credit Fees: The credit fee for the first four semesters of study is NT$ 39,600.
    • Dissertation Consultation (oral examination) fees: NT$16,000.
    • From the fifth semester onwards, only basic tuition fees are charged every semester until graduation.
    • Other expenses arising from academic requirements while studying in Taiwan shall be borne solely by the student.
  • Payment Method: Online credit card payment.
8. Requirements
  • Term of Study: One (1) to four (4) years. Students who do are unable to complete their required coursework or master’s thesis (including professional practice report) within this period may apply for an extension of up to two years.
  • Total Credits Required for Graduation: 25 degrees.
  • Overseas Mandarin Teaching Internship: 100 hours.
  • Graduation Dissertation: Students may apply for a Graduate Degree Examination only after completing the required credits and the draft of master’s thesis or preliminary professional practice report and after obtaining approval from their advisor. Master’s thesis (including professional practice report) can be written in Chinese or English.
  • The advisor may request the student to return to school for discussions or participate in physical courses during the semester due to special circumstances.
  • The student is required to return to the campus in Taiwan to take the Research Method and Thesis Writing Course (16 hours in total).
  • Graduate degree examinations may be conducted in person or remotely through videoconferencing. Those who take graduate degree examinations by videoconferencing must be approved by a Department Affairs Meeting, and the examination process should be recorded and archived.
  • The student must pass the Band 3 Test in the Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language or corresponding tests for Chinese language skills. Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language certification may be waived if the student’s highest level of education was completed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China.
    ※Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency-Huayu, Overseas Tests:
    https://tocfl.edu.tw/index.php/sign_up/entire
  • A student who qualifies for graduation and passes his/her graduate degree examination shall be granted an Master’s degree in accordance with related regulations including the Degree Conferral Law. On the diploma, remote learning shall be indicated as the method of education, and the number of credits acquired through remote learning shall also be noted. For graduation requirements, Chinese and English titles of degrees conferred, and dissertation format and relevant standards, please visit the Program’s website to view the degree requirements for the current academic year; alternatively, you can visit the Office of Academic Affairs website and then go to “Academic Regulations”, followed by “Departmental/Institute Degree Requirements”. Office of Academic Affairs website: http://www.aa.ntnu.edu.tw/main.php
9. Curriculum
  • Course Title: (According to the Department’s curriculum announcements for the 2024 school year)
    Teaching Methods Course Title Required / Elective Nuer of Credits
    Online course Special Topics on Chinese Linguistics Elective 3
    Second Language Acquisition Elective 3
    Chinese Society and Culture Elective 3
    Language and Cognition Elective 3
    Special Topics on Chinese Instructional Methodology Elective 3
    Special Topics on Digital Chinese Language Teaching Elective 3
    Seminar on Chinese Language Teaching Methods and Materials Elective 3
    Theory and Applications of Chinese Language Play Elective 3
    Assessment of Chinese Language Proficiency Elective 3
    Chinese Character Teaching Theory and Applications Elective 3
    Applied Interactive Teaching Elective 3
    Online course
    (English as a Medium of Instruction)    		 IB Philosophy and Practices Elective 3
    Teaching and Learning in the DP Elective 3
    Classroom-based course Research Method and Thesis Writing Required 1
10. Miscellaneous
  • All matters not stipulated in this admissions prospectus shall be processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations and the decisions of the NTNU Admissions Committee.
  • In the event that the number of applicants for this course does not reach the admission quota, NTNU Admissions Committee reserves the right to decide whether or not to conduct an admission exam for the program. The application fee paid by applicants who have applied for the withdrawn program will be refunded without any objection.