Ministry of Education pilots TOEFL waiver program for 4 Taiwan unis

Ministry of Education pilots TOEFL waiver program for 4 Taiwan unis

2025-11-18

The Ministry of Education is launching a program that would allow Taiwanese university students to apply to four US universities without submitting TOEFL scores. These students will be required to have received credits from courses in which English is the language of instruction, also known as EMI courses. At the moment, the program is being trialed in four universities in Taiwan and the US, respectively. Let’s find out more.

Cheng Ying-yao
Minister of Education
For a non-Anglophone country like Taiwan to successfully cooperate with top US universities on a national level reflects strong international recognition of our country’s bilingual education standards. It’s also an important milestone for bilingual education.

Liao Kao-hsien
Dept. of Higher Education, MOE
In the first stage, these four US universities will observe the quality of EMI courses in our four universities. The TOEFL waiver will be based on these assessments.

Ding Shih-torng
NTU Vice President
For a student to have successfully taken a certain number of EMI courses means that their professional skills are solidly linked with their language proficiency. A student like this would be able to hold discussions and conduct successful exchanges outside of the country. Having such a wide range of EMI courses also made it much easier to admit international students.

The Ministry of Education began to promote EMI courses systematically five years ago. Now, their efforts have culminated in this TOEFL waiver program. The four Taiwan universities involved are National Sun Yat-sen University, National Cheng Kung University, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan Normal University; while the US partners include Arizona State University, New York University, Teachers College at Columbia University and the University of Maryland.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#education #highereducation #bilingual #EMI #worldenglishes #linguafranca #ELF #TOEFL

全球首例!大學生修EMI全英語課可免托福赴美留學

2025-11-18

教育部宣布，正式啟動"EMI免試托福試辦計畫"，未來台灣學生，不用花錢考托福，只要在校內修過，一定比例的EMI全英語課程，就有機會進入美國頂尖大學，試辦階段，台灣跟美國，各有4所大學參與計畫，提供8個名額，最快明年9月，就有學生可以到美國就讀。

[[教育部長鄭英耀]]
“我們都知道台灣身為一個非英語系的國家，能夠成功地以國家層級，和美國名校來合作免試托福，象徵我國雙語教育品質，已獲國際高度的信任，也是雙語教育的重要里程碑”

[[教育部高教司長廖高賢]]
“所邀請的這四所國外大學，目前的第一步就是來觀看觀課，進入到我們這四所大學的現場，來看我們EMI整個教學的品質，來作為我們後續，有關於免試托福的依據”

[[台大副校長丁詩同]]
“上足夠的EMI課程，代表(學生)語言能力很強，他的專業能力可以扣合他的語言能力，可以跟人家做這樣的討論，所以他出去做交流的是變得很好，EMI的課程這麼廣大地(分布)課程群之後，讓我們國際招生變得更容易了”

教育部5年前開始推動，大學EMI全英語課程，包括中山大學、成功大學、台大及台師大，目前已經獲得美國紐約大學和哥倫比亞大學教育學院，等等四所頂尖大學認證，將合作試辦免試托福計畫。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Under the leadership of new KMT chair, the party is more pro-China

The Machangding Memorial Park in Taipei’s Wanhua has one of the saddest histories in Taiwan. During the days of the KMT’s White Terror, it was a site for executing dissidents., many of whom included alleged CCP spies. So when newly- elected KMT chair Cheng Li-wun recently visited the site to pay tribute to those executed there in the early 1950s, she immediately sparked outrage for seemingly being a CCP apologist. Meanwhile, other KMT members have come under fire from the DPP for describing Taiwan as a Chinese region, with one even wearing a Mao Zedong T-shirt. Let’s find out more.

Members of NGOs holding placards lash out at the KMT, saying they are unable to accept KMT chair Cheng Li-wun visiting Machangding to pay her respects to Wu Shi, an alleged spy for the PRC.

Tiunn Ngalim
Lawmaker (DPP)
KMT chair Cheng Li-wun laid a floral wreath for Communist spy Wu Shi. Back then, people were killed in the name of anti-Communism. Today she’s acting as a fellow traveler of Communist spies. I don’t consider this to be mourning: it’s a reversal of right and wrong.

Ever since Cheng took office as KMT chair, her China-friendly policies have been constantly questioned. Her vice chair Hsiao Hsu-tsen has made even more controversial remarks.

Hsiao Hsu-tsen (11.17)
KMT vice chair
Chair Cheng Li-wun made her position very clear in an interview. It is to return to the constitution of the Republic of China. The ROC constitution is a "one China" constitution. Only by returning to the constitution, that includes the provisions "one country, two areas," can we ensure that we have a common political foundation with the mainland.

Wang Mei-hsiu
519 Action Group convener
How did the KMT lose power in mainland China? They were infiltrated and toppled from within by the Chinese Communist Party.

Hsiao’s remarks have not just been unacceptable to NGOs. Even some KMT members can’t take them. Pro-KMT social media pages have criticized him saying: "Hsiao Hsu-tsen is someone who squanders the hard work of all the young people in the KMT." Meanwhile, another KMT member has also made controversial remarks.

Ho Ying-lu
KMT central standing committee member
I hope Taiwan will return to the embrace of the motherland soon, and achieve unification soon. That is my goal and my responsibility.

KMT central standing committee member Ho Ying-lu wore a Mao Zedong T-shirt and talked about unification. The pro-independence camp in a bitter criticism said if the names of these KMT speakers were covered up, it would sound like talk among CCP members.

Tai Wei-shan
DPP spokesperson
The entire KMT is vying to be the CCP’s spokesperson. It’s got to the point where it’s ridiculous. They’ve even gone as far as to say "one country, two areas" and don’t even try to hide that they think Taiwanese people are Chinese. But Taiwanese people include Indigenous people. How does that make the Taiwanese Chinese? The KMT should return to Nanjing and reestablish its central leadership there. I think that’s the best final destination for them.

KMT chair Cheng is leading the party to align itself with China. The pro-China label will be difficult for the party to shake off in the short term and could hurt it in future elections.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#politics #taiwanpolitics #identity #taiwan #china

2025-11-18

‘Bus academy’ helps drivers understand challenges facing elderly passengers

Taiwan is rapidly becoming a super-aged society. Already, 24% of the 1 million daily riders on Taipei’s public buses are seniors. But buses can be dangerous for older folks who may have trouble standing firmly and may fall over. The Taipei Department of Transportation encouraged seniors to follow four principles for safe riding, but drivers are also stepping up. Through a first-ever “bus academy,” drivers can better understand their passengers in the hopes of creating a more pleasant riding experience for everyone.

After the doors open at a stop, passengers file into a bus one after the other. The driver over the loudspeaker reminds them to watch their step. Seeing that many are seniors, the driver lowers the floor of the bus so it’s easier for them to get on.

Chiang Chih-ming
Bus driver
When we give a reminder, it’s to ensure they pay attention to their safety when the bus needs to start moving. When it’s full, about 30% of those standing are seniors.

Taiwan is becoming a super-aged society. In Taipei alone, 23% of its population of 2.45 million is 65 or older. Of the 1 million people who ride the city’s buses every day, 240,000 use a senior card. They’re most worried about being unable to stay stable when the bus moves suddenly, potentially falling and getting injured.

I hold onto the railing or the handle.

Safe riding follows four principles. Before getting on the bus, remember to wave down the driver. Line up when getting on or off, and when riding, be sure to hold on tight. When getting off, press the button and wait until the bus fully stops before moving. At the same time, Taipei is offering a first-ever “bus academy.” Ten classes have been held since the end of March, including two practical courses to show drivers what their passengers experience.

Lee Bo-wen
Taipei public bus association chair
They trade places, allowing the driver to experience what it’s like being a passenger, especially an older passenger. We hope to start from a service approach. We also hope that all our valued passengers can help the drivers out a little by hailing the bus and pressing the stop button.

Creating a pleasant riding experience requires a little effort from everyone, passengers and drivers alike.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#bus #publicbus #passenger #publictransport #Taipei #elderly #seniors #agedsociety #understanding #safety #trafficsafety #busdrivers

2025-11-18

Lukang native wins big at Italian gelato contest

2025-11-18

Spicy dishes and coconut milk bring a taste of Bicol to Taiwan

Have you ever been to Bicol in the Philippines? The island is known for its spicy dishes, coconut milk, and volcanoes. A restaurant in Taiwan has brought the traditional dishes of Bicol to Taiwan. FTV reporter Stephany Yang takes us in for a taste!

Bicol is known for its spicy and coconut milk-inspired dishes. This restaurant in Taipei offers Legazpi-style chicken stewed in coconut milk and Naga-style sauteed shark meat in coconut milk.

A fan of spring rolls? You can try the Lumpiang, a Filipino spring roll packed with savory pork and crab.

Other signature dishes of Bicol are the Bicol Express and Sisig. The bicol express is a spicy Filipino pork dish, featuring tender pork simmered in rich coconut milk, infused with shrimp paste, chilies, garlic, onions, and ginger, which is packed into bell peppers.

Chriselle May Yambao
Philippines Department of Tourism director
The iconic dishes for Bicol would be the Bicol Express as they call it. This is meat cooked in coconut milk with a lot of chili on it. They also have the Kinila that they call it, this is raw fish that is cooked in something citrus and with vinegar, and also with a bit of coconut milk as well. And then, they also have Sisig. Sisig is actually a general Filipino dish but in Bicol, they use fish to do it because Sisig is something you cook with soy sauce and also with vinegar as well so there have a different version in Bicol as well.

The Taipei restaurant, with support from the Philippine Department of Tourism, embarked on a six-day journey in June to learn from local chefs. Back in Taiwan, they fine-tuned the process to preserve original flavors while adapting to local tastes. The Bicol region is located in the southeastern part of Luzon Island in the Philippines, and is best known for its spicy dishes, coconut milk, and Mayon Volcano.

Chriselle May Yambao
Philippines Department of Tourism director
Bicol is actually a specific destination or a special destination in the Philippines that is a very famous place for its Mount Mayon. It is a very perfect cone volcano, but apart from that, Bicol is also famous in the Philippines for its unique dishes. Bicol, destination or the culinary destination, is also very famous for its spicy and coconut dishes. This is a destination where coconut is a very rampant and very abundant source of ingredients in the area so throughout the years, they were able to create different dishes that are based on coconut milk and they use it specifically and put some spicy and chili to make it more special.

According to Chriselle May Yambao, Director at the Philippines Department of Tourism, the best time to explore Bicol is during the dry season, which generally runs from November to June.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Bicol #tourism #Philippinestourism #tour #travel #vacation

2025-11-18

City God helps parents raise kids in addition to judging underworld

Dingliao City God Temple in Yilan’s Suao is the first of its kind in Taiwan to help parents raise their children. If kids act out or don’t listen, or if they’re confused about their future, parents can ask the god for help. But the method is very peculiar. Worshipers have to fold the child’s clothing and place a bamboo rod on top. The chairman says it’s because corporal punishment is no longer allowed, so they use the rods on the clothes instead.

On offering tables outside the temple are piles of clothing, each one pressed down by a bamboo rod. But what’s it for? It’s how the City God helps parents discipline their children.

Lin Jui-fang
Dingliao City God Temple chair
The most unique thing about the Dingliao City God Temple is that it’s the only City God temple in Taiwan that helps parents raise their kids.

Ms. Lin
Worshiper
My grandson became well behaved. Everyone tells me their grandkids changed a lot. They’re so good now.

Ms. Lai
Worshiper
There was a kid already in his third year of high school who didn’t know what he wanted to do. His parents were also worried. So they came and left clothing here, and after a while, his mind settled and he decided on a path. He eventually got into the university he wanted.

The Dingliao City God Temple in Yilan’s Suao Township is very unique. The god not only presides over the underworld, but is also the only one in all of Taiwan to also help parents with their children. Whether the child needs to be disciplined or needs guidance, the god is here to help.

Lin Jui-fang
Dingliao City God Temple chair
Kids who are hard to discipline, are rebellious, do drugs, don’t work, and other difficult cases are brought here to be corrected by the City God. People from Japan, the US, Hong Kong, they’ve all come here for help.

The god blesses everyone with peace and fulfills their prayers, even if it’s about needing to discipline unruly children. Or maybe with a little faith, anyone can have the courage to face their troubles.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#DingliaoCityGodTemple #discipline #Yilan #Suao

2025-11-18

Cold weather for next two weeks, with brief reprieve this weekend

2025-11-18

DoIT showcases five sports techs for professionals and amateurs alike

The Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Industrial Technology Department on Monday showcased five sports tech innovations developed under their leadership. These AI-powered sports training technologies range from coaching aids to workout solutions, with applications for both professional training and exercising, promising to make sports more fun and precise.

“The Eagle Eye of Taiwan” precisely captures the trajectory of a baseball with a less than 1cm margin of error. This tracking technology can improve fairness on the field as well as aid in the training of Little League teams.

Clutch the putter with both hands and give it a light swing. The smart golfing system is like your very own private coach. The AI system breaks down one’s movements and gives tips for improvements.

Cheng Jen-chieh
ITRI vice president
It has an AI-powered coach that gives you feedback based on how you swing the club. The coach helps you improve your movements so that you can perform even better in this recreational sport.

Even though the cyclist is peddling on a fixed spot, the system gradually increases the gradient, simulating a ride in the hills. In mere minutes, one could get an intense workout without having to step outside.

These 3D transmitters are also powered by AI and being showcased at this event, hosted by the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Industrial Technology Department. All in all, the five innovations promise to improve the athletic performance of both professionals and amateurs.

Kuo Chao-chung
Department of Industrial Technology, MOEA
We are proud of our sports teams’ international achievements. If we can integrate technology into sports, you can imagine just how many more will be interested in doing sports, and how that will make our athletes perform even better. This is what we’d like to achieve by combining technology and sports.

With technology, sports become even more precise and fun. These innovations make sports more accessible and also nurture the next generation of athletes for Taiwan’s national team.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#sports #exercising #workout #training #technology #AI

2025-11-18

Former Intel CEO stands with US President on moving chip production to the US

Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel, says he supports America’s push to move more silicon chip manufacturing back to the US. Gelsinger, now a general partner with venture capital firm Playground, praised Taiwan’s abilities and speed in innovation, but added he thought supply chains needed to diversify globally. He still brought seven startups to visit Taiwanese supply chains and said it was his 50th visit to the nation. Let’s hear more.

Pat Gelsinger
Playground general partner
It’s such a pleasure to be back in Taiwan and maybe the 50th for me.

After stepping down as the CEO of Intel at the end of last year, Pat Gelsinger took on a new role as general partner at Playground, a technology venture capital firm. Gelsinger says his days as a CEO are behind him.

Pat Gelsinger
Playground general partner
I’ve done 51 public earnings calls as a CEO and there will not be a 52nd. One of the hardest adjustments of not being the CEO is not being in charge. To being a coach, to being a partner, to helping the CEO is a truly thrilling period of my life. This could be the most productive period of my entire career.

Impressed by the strengths and speed of Taiwan’s innovation, Gelsinger is leading seven startups to visit Taiwan’s supply chains.

Pat Gelsinger
Playground general partner
My only disappointment in my 45 years in technology is I’m not 20 years younger. The finest days for technology and innovation are on the verge of the next decade or two. There’s no place like Taiwan. You can have an idea at breakfast, you can have a prototype by lunch and you can have manufacturing by dinner.

US President Donald Trump recently said that his country lost the chip business to Taiwan “very, very foolishly,” and predicted chip making would soon rebound in the US. Gelsinger holds similar views.

Pat Gelsinger
Playground general partner
I believe that having more resilience for those supply chains is the best policy. I’m very much supportive of the Trump administration. That doesn’t mean there’s less for Taiwan. It’s just that more of the growth should occur in other geographies. I encourage them to have more advanced nodes and more R&D in the US.

Discussing developments in AI, Gelsinger notes that AI requires electricity and if Taiwan wanted to continue to benefit from the AI boom and develop its economy, it must first ensure it has energy resilience.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#technology #semiconductors #chips #Intel #chipsact

2025-11-18