Education Division of TECO in Malaysia Promotes a Fun Mandarin Course for Learning Mandarin
The Education Division at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Malaysia organized a Fun Mandarin Course supported by the Sarawak Taiwan Graduates’ Association Miri Branch. The aim of the program was to cultivate students’ interest in learning Mandarin and at the same time foster cross-cultural understanding and ethnic harmony. The program was held on 20 June 2026 at SMK Merbau, Miri and more than 76 non-Chinese students from grade 1 to grade 3 at this secondary school participated.
The Education Division invited Ms. Ku Chen-Jung, a Mandarin instructor from Universiti Malaysia Sabah to serve as the lead instructor. The teachers introduced the students to basic Mandarin vocabulary and simple conversations in a relaxed and enjoyable environment, using interactive teaching methods, language games, and cultural activities.
Ms. Canny Yi-Ken Liao 廖苡亘, Director of the Education Division, TECO in Malaysia encouraged the students to treasure every opportunity to learn and to use language as a bridge for communication that will open doors to a wider range of opportunities in the future. Learning languages helps students expand their social networks and global perspectives and it also enhances their future academic and career opportunities.
She encouraged students to explore scholarship opportunities and Mandarin learning programs in Taiwan through the Education Division if they go on to complete the Malaysian Higher School Certificate (Sijil Tinggi Pendidikan Malaysia, STPM). Taiwan welcomes more Malaysian students to undertake higher education there in a diverse academic environment where they can experience rich cultural experiences.
Ms. Chong Lee Ngo, Principal of SMK Merbau, said that language should serve as a bridge for communication and mutual understanding rather than a barrier between ethnic communities. She encouraged the students to seize this opportunity to learn Mandarin and gain a deeper understanding of different cultures, and thereby foster greater social harmony. She also said that Sarawak's long-standing tradition of people from diverse ethnic backgrounds learning each other’s languages and cultures is one of the state's greatest strengths and reflects its enduring spirit of unity and inclusiveness.
The Fun Mandarin Course ended on a positive note, with the students showing strong interest in continuing to learn Mandarin through interactive activities. The Education Division of TECO in Malaysia will continue to promote Mandarin learning across Malaysia, and encourage more Malaysian students to explore higher education opportunities in Taiwan.
