Taiwan Promotes Mandarin Education Collaboration at 2025 ACTFL Annual Conference
The ACTFL—American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages—Annual Conference is a major event that brings together language educators, researchers, and administrative officials from all around the world. The 2025 Annual Conference took place from November 21 to November 22 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Professor Tzu-Bin Lin 林子斌, the executive director of FICHET—the Foundation for International Cooperation in Higher Education of Taiwan—led a delegation of representatives of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), representatives of the Steering Committee for the Test Of Proficiency – Huayu, Fulbright Taiwan, and representatives of eleven Taiwanese universities: National Taiwan Normal University, National Tsing Hua University, National Cheng Kung University, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Fu Jen Catholic University, Tamkang University, Ming Chuan University, Shih Chien University, Tzu Chi University, Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages, and Yuanpei University of Medical Technology to take part in the conference and promote Mandarin teaching related collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan.
A Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion set up for the ACTFL Conference was jointly opened by Prof. Tzu-Bin Lin, Executive Director of FICHET, Dr. Kuan Fang-Fang 關芳芳, Deputy Executive Director of FICHET; Ingrid Larson, Managing Director of the American Institute in Taiwan Washington Headquarters; Antonio Chen 陳育仁, Deputy Director General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Houston; Andrea Yang 楊淑雅, Director of the Education Division of TECO in Houston; Dr. Tony Kuo 郭壽旺, Vice President for International and Cross-Strait Affairs at Shih Chien University; Prof. Lin Shu-tan 林淑丹, Vice President of Wenzao Ursuline University of Languages; and the directors of the Education Divisions in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington D.C.
The Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion showcased Taiwan’s strengths in blending Taiwan’s rich cultural heritage with innovative Mandarin teaching and learning. The National Palace Museum and the National Center for Traditional Arts were represented in the pavilion, and the participating universities showcased a wide range of Mandarin programs. The Pavilion attracted many language education professionals who were interested in discussing possibilities for language teaching-related cooperation with universities in Taiwan.
A U.S.–Taiwan Mandarin Education Symposium was held in conjunction with the conference on November 21 at the Loews New Orleans Hotel. The distinguished guests included Ragini Gupta, Director for Press and Public Diplomacy of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs; Ingrid Larson; Sharon Hsieh from AIT; Antonio Chen, Andrea Yang, and Elissa Chung from TECO in Houston; Sophie Chou 周慧宜, Director of the Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the U.S. (TECRO); Melissa Monroe, President of the National Council of State Supervisors for Languages; Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Provost of Xavier University of Louisiana; Dr. Tony Kuo; and Dr. Yeh Yao-Yuan 葉耀元, from the University of St. Thomas.
Ragini Gupta gave the opening remarks and spoke about some of the many achievements of the U.S.–Taiwan Education Initiative since it was launched with the signing of an MOU in December 2020. Dr. Marguerite Giguette, Education Division Director Sophie Chou, and Dr. Tony Kuo each spoke about current collaborations between Taiwan and the U.S. advancing in Mandarin learning, and about the successful implementation of the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program in universities and colleges across the United States. This program has already facilitated partnerships between 23 Taiwanese universities and 79 American universities, and seven Mandarin Learning Centers that can provide structured instructional support and teacher training have been established in the United States.
In the evening, more than 100 language education professionals, researchers, and officials from around the world were welcomed to a Taiwan Night networking dinner. A renowned Taiwanese folk-dance troupe performed a contemporary fusion of traditional ritual dance, deity procession in hip-hop style, and an interactive Eight Generals performance, giving the guests a taste of Taiwan’s culture. It reflected the Learn Mandarin in Taiwan Pavilion’s presentation of Taiwan offering an integrated learning experience that connects language and culture.
With the dedicated efforts of government, educational institutions, officials, and educators, Taiwan is continuing to be an important Mandarin language education partner for the United States.
