Taiwan Can be a Reliable Partner for India on Mandarin Education Policy

Abstract

This isan unprecedented policy paper on the development of Taiwan’s Mandarin education in India and its suggestion to Indian government for future policy direction. This research conducts literature review by having comprehensive study and interpretation of key figues and key terms in history and news. Although the perceived lack of dissertation and paper is seen in the paucity of research devoted to understanding this issue. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has responded to the China’s aggression in the border of Eastern Ladakh in 2020, maybe even in terms of language, Indian government has dropped Mandarin among foreign languages in its National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Indian government reviewed China's Confucius Institutes amid global concern, as well as university level memorandum of understanding between India and China. However, learning Mandarin would be encouraged in India by considering its national security, academic research, historical ties and economic development. Under these circumstances, the best policy option for India would be to get Mandarin teachers or train more Mandarin teachers from Taiwan, where Mandarin is official language as well. This article explores the reasons from historical context in India to Taiwan’s current development on Mandarin education, including its qualified teacher, test and satisfaction of partnering institutes. This paper indicates that Indian government should strategically consider having more cooperation with Taiwan in providing Mandarin learning for its young generation. Taiwan is a reliable partner for India on Mandarin Education Policy.