Taiwan and Australia released a joint statement on deepening English-learning cooperation July 20, underscoring the government’s commitment to advancing its Bilingual 2030 policy, according to the Cabinet-level National Development Council.
In the statement, the two sides pledged to strengthen academic ties under the Taiwan-Australia English Language Learning Partnership and Action Plan launched in August last year. Since its implementation, the partnership has promoted a series of English-learning initiatives and bolstered bilateral education, vocational training, and youth links, the NDC said.
Among the plan’s successes to date is the enhancement of English teaching capacity at the tertiary level, with Australian universities providing professional training to boost the fluency of Taiwan professors, the council said. Several local institutions have also adopted Australia’s vocational education and training curricula, while joint degree agreements have expanded overseas bilingual learning opportunities for Taiwan’s students, it added.
According to the NDC, steady progress is being made in optimizing the English-learning environments of Taiwan’s primary and secondary schools through online training courses for teachers. Sister school ties as well as academic and professional exchanges have opened up further opportunities for students and teachers to cultivate their language skills, the council added.
Taiwan will continue collaborating with Australia to foster bilingual talent and promote vocational education, the NDC said, adding that to spread awareness of the partner nation’s strengths as a study abroad location, over 42 universities and educational institutions from the country are set to join the Australian Office in Taipei-organized 2023 Study in Australia Education Exhibition scheduled for September.
Initiated in 2017 under the name of Bilingual Nation 2030 and renamed in 2022, the Bilingual 2030 policy is targeted at helping Taiwan’s workforce connect with the world and attracting international enterprises to the country, enabling homegrown industries to tap into global markets and create high-quality jobs. (POC-E)
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