Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Launches First Overseas Taiwanese Taiqi Language Proficiency Test in the Greater Washington, D.C. Region
Photo caption: Group photo of examinees and organizers of Taiwanese Taiqi Language Proficiency Test in the Greater Washington, D.C. Region
Photo caption: The testing site
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) held the first overseas Taiwanese Taiqi Language Proficiency Test on December 6, 2025, in the Greater Washington, D.C region. This milestone marks the first time that the nationally recognized certification has been offered outside Taiwan, reflecting the government’s commitment to promoting Taiwan’s linguistic and cultural heritage globally. The test was organized by the MOE and implemented by National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU), with coordination support from the Education Division of Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) and the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School.
The exam was held at the Universities at Shady Grove in Maryland at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time, offering the computer-based Version A test, which includes both the Foundation and Basic levels. A total of 25 participants, primarily teachers and students from the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School, registered for the exam. All test procedures, including system checks, room setup, and proctoring, followed standardized protocols consistent with those used in Taiwan. According to the MOE, the administration proceeded smoothly, with stable system performance and enthusiastic response from test takers. Successful candidates will receive official certificates issued by MOE, which will be sent to the Washington D.C. Taiwanese School on December 29, 2025, for onward delivery.
The introduction of the Taiwanese Taiqi Language Proficiency Test to the United States represents a significant step in supporting heritage language learning among overseas communities, advancing multicultural education, and strengthening cultural connections with the next generation abroad. Feedback and results from this trial administration will serve as a valuable reference for assessing the feasibility of expanding the certification to additional overseas locations in the future. The MOE aims to enable more learners interested in Taiwan’s languages and culture to engage with, learn, and use Taiwanese Taiqi Language as part of Taiwan’s ongoing efforts to promote its rich linguistic and cultural diversity internationally.