The Department of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL) at Chung Yuan Christian University (CYCU) has been actively expanding students’ global outlook through continuous support from the Ministry of Education’s “Study Abroad Program.” By sending students abroad for teaching internships, the department aims to bridge classroom theory with hands-on practice, cultivating professional skills, cross-cultural communication, and global perspectives.
To date, CYCU TCSL students have interned in a variety of countries, including Sweden, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Mexico. These opportunities allow students to engage in authentic language instruction, develop teaching materials, participate in classroom assessment, and interact with local communities—all under the guidance of professional educators.
In Sweden, the department partners with two institutions founded by alumna Yi-Ting Chen: Tizzy’s Fun Chinese Classroom and the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning in Sweden. Both centers actively promote traditional Chinese and Taiwanese culture, while supporting CYCU students in gaining real-world teaching experience. Interns are involved in curriculum design, teaching, and parent-teacher communication, and receive a certificate of completion to recognize their efforts.
Chiao-Jung Kang, a Swedish intern, shared how she overcame challenges like language confusion and short attention spans among young learners. By using visual aids, digital tools, and game-based storytelling, she successfully increased student engagement. She noted that the experience deepened her passion for teaching while enhancing her adaptability and communication skills.
In South Korea, students are sent annually to partner universities such as Dankook University and Jeju Tourism University for exchange and internship programs. In Japan, a notable partnership has been formed with the Taiwan University Preparatory School, where interns teach a wide range of Chinese courses and observe students’ daily lives through group activities. These immersive experiences enrich both teaching ability and cultural understanding. Host institutions also offer transportation subsidies and housing to ease students’ transition and support their focus on teaching.
Since 2021, the department has also collaborated with the Wen Cheng Chinese Education Center in Mexico. Established in 2007, the center has strong ties with local governments and overseas Chinese communities, and is committed to promoting Mandarin education and Taiwanese culture. Some interns have even secured full-time teaching positions after their internships. Yu You-Ning, a former intern, reflected: “During these few months of internship, I realized that sometimes a dream feels heavier than a job—but it’s that very weight that brings real fulfillment and a sense of achievement.”
Professor Yu-Fen Liu, Chair of the TCSL Department, emphasized the department’s long-term commitment to global internships: “These programs not only give our students the chance to apply their knowledge and build experience, but also promote the visibility and influence of Taiwanese Mandarin education worldwide. We will continue to enhance these opportunities, leveraging resources from the Ministry of Education to encourage more talented students to step into the world and become part of the global Mandarin teaching community.”
