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 Important Achievements of Creating an English Living Environment |
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The 21st Century is witnessing more and more interaction among globalization, digitization and sustainable development as international cooperation and competition intensifies. To keep up with the trend of the Internet and work specialization, as well as to create its own niche, the Executive Yuan in May 2002 launched “Challenge 2008: Six-year National Development Plan.” Based on the strategy of “Further Developing Taiwan and Reaching Out to the Global Market” to develop the nation’s economy in the new century, the programs encompassed in the Plan are in line with the development strategy of “Taking Action Locally to Connect Taiwan to the Global Village.” As the Plan covers three major aspects -- the economy, humanities and living -- that incorporate the four core missions of investing in nurturing talent, development and innovation, global logistics and distribution channels, and living environment, the Taiwan government is implementing “10 Major Investment Projects” that are aimed at: (1) nurturing a new generation equipped with global vision and ability to communicate with foreigners; (2) constructing modern laws and regulations; (3) creating an environment fitting for business and daily living; and (4) connecting Taiwan with the international community.
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Since joining the WTO, Taiwan has been interacting closely with the international community and as a result, English is becoming the most important tool for people in Taiwan who need to communicate with foreigners. In the past, several things have hindered Taiwan's ability to connect with the international community:
(1) Lack of English signage in public facilities on the roads, in airports and in train and bus stations; (2) inconsistent Romanization of Chinese names; (3) insufficient English-language information with regard to daily living services; (4) inconvenient foreign currency exchange facilities; (5) inadequate professional translators; (6) low levels of English proficiency among workers; (7) a shortage of government officials who are capable of dealing with foreign affairs; (8) unsupportive infrastructure; and (9) unfriendly laws, regulations and environment for business and daily life. |
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To expedite the connection between Taiwan and foreign countries, the Executive Yuan promulgated in October 2002 the “Action Plan for Building an English-friendly Environment,” encompassing nine implementation strategies. The Plan is being carried out by the 20 ministries of the Central Government and 25 local governments coordinated by the Research, Development, and Evaluation Commission (RDEC). It is aimed at enhancing people’s ability to adapt to globalization and fostering quality human resources equipped with global vision and the ability to communicate with foreigners. If we can offer a world-class friendly living environment, foreigners will be attracted to Taiwan for pleasure, investment, work and residency.
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Strategy 1: Establishing an internationally friendly information service platform |
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We established the “International Community Service Hotline” (0800-024111) to provide foreigners with 24/7 bilingual (English and Chinese) information services that integrate the information available on various official government English-language Websites and the Information for Foreigners Website. So far, a total of 19,857 inquiries have been answered over the Hotline and the services have received positive feedback from the embassies of various countries, as well as from the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei and the European Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.
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The “International Living Environment Service Network” has been proposed to collect major daily living information, establish an international living environment databank and construct an interactive platform for knowledge-sharing.
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Strategy 2: Constructing a daily living service network for foreigners |
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The RDEC has employed Alternative National Servicemen, who are recruited 2 to 3 times each year. So far, more than 200 of them have participated in efforts to connect Taiwan to the international community, serving in the following areas: assisting foreigners who need to access government services; receiving foreign guests, providing guided tours and narration; providing English translation, liaison and information exchange; and assisting with documentation. |
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With the establishment of the Immigration Office under the Ministry of the Interior and the one-stop window set up by the Council of Labor Affairs for issuing work permits for professionals from foreign countries, procedures for foreigners wishing to apply for residency and work permits have been simplified and pamphlets providing related information have been published.
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English competency has been improved among government officials working in agencies responsible for immigration affairs, residency, work, airports, train stations, bus stations, tourism, social and educational affairs, cultural affairs, medical care, finance and banking services, postal services, and police and security.
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A total of 2,988 English volunteers working in all city and county governments in Taiwan have contributed 49,163 items of English information services, and a total 4,096 items of English information have been accessed over the English-language Web pages provided by local governments.
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Strategy 3: Making greater efforts to establish and integrate a bilingual environment |
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Several laws and regulations, such as the “Commodity Labeling Act,” “Regulations for Installing Road Signs, Traffic Signs, and Road Lines,” “Regulations Governing the Management of Advertisement Signboards and Erection of Advertisements” have been amended.
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“Guidelines for Using Chinese Phonetic Spelling,” “Principles for Translating Place Names,” “Regulations for Chinese-English Translation of Nationwide Laws and Regulations,” “Standards for English Translations of Law and Regulation Titles,” “The System for Searching for English Translation of Chinese Addresses,” “Search System for Geographical Names in the Taiwan Area,” “Online Chinese Address Translating and Writing System,” “The Bilingual Vocabulary of Internal Signs for Creating an English Environment” and “Guidelines for Designing Popular Pictograms for Public Signs” have been created.
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With 594,657 bilingual signs installed, 9,416 bilingual publications produced, 1,203 telephone operators offering bilingual services, and 7,268 items of English Web pages, an internationally friendly environment has been built. |
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City and county governments have produced 138 English-language sightseeing maps and 62 English-language restaurant menus. |
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Strategy 4: Adding English versions to both government and non-government Websites |
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Through creating the “Regulations for Creating Chinese-English Glossaries,” “Handbook for Web Page English Translation and Editing,” and “Handbook for English Website Format and Interface,” a mechanism for promoting government services has been set up and a knowledge-managing platform for bilingual Websites has been established. So far, 98% of government Websites have had English versions added to them.
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Twelve thematic English Websites -- WTO, WHO, Government Reform, NGO/NPOs, Human Rights, National Statistics, English Portal of Government Websites, International Community Service, Insurance and Finance, iHakka, Exploring Small and Medium Enterprises in Taiwan, Taiwan Education and Academics Portal -- have been created to upgrade the government’s services to foreigners in Taiwan.
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Strategy 5: Producing and broadcasting English radio and TV programs |
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A total of 1,308 English-language news programs have been produced via outsourcing, providing global news reports. A total of 964 time slots for English-language news programs have been produced to offer English-language public information to foreigners in Taiwan. In addition, a “Public Television and Cultural Creativity Digital TV Development Plan” is being proposed, and a “Foreign-Language TV Channel on Taiwan” is set to be launched soon. |
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“Daily English” conversation programs have been produced by the mass media to help those who work in the following fields upgrade their English abilities: bus drivers, taxi drivers, storekeepers, night market vendors, hotel/guesthouse proprietors, restaurant staff, convenience store staff and bank staff. |
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Strategy 6: Implementing English translations of laws and regulations enacted by central government agencies
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On the Laws and Regulations Database of the Republic of China Website (http://law.moj.gov.tw), a new searchable page listing laws and regulations that have been translated into English has been created .
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“Standards for English Translations of Law and Regulation Titles” and “Regulations for Chinese-English Translation of Nationwide Laws and Regulations” have been enacted to standardize English translations of legal items. To date, 600 laws and regulations related to foreign affairs have been translated into English.
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Strategy 7: Organizing training programs for Developing Job-related English Abilities
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1. “Measures for Improving English Proficiency of Civil Servants” has been introduced to improve civil servants’ job-related English abilities through educational programs. So far, 15% of all government officials have received certificates of English proficiency.
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2. Government agencies have organized a total of 7,628 English training classes attended by 192,505 participants to equip civil servants with job-related English language skills.
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3. The Ministry of Education has conducted research into establishing a system for certifying professional translators and interpreters, which will take effect in the near future.
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4. English proficiency has been listed as one of the required qualifications for 6,933 positions in city and county governments, and a total of 8,439 civil servants working in local governments have received certificates of English proficiency. |
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Strategy 8: Establishing a service mechanism to provide consultations and assistance |
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1. The English Translation Service Team, which can be accessed via its hotline (0800-885111), along with the Bilingual Living Environment Service System Website (http://www.bless.nat.gov.tw), provides consultations on English translation.
2. The “Handbook for Creating an English-friendly Environment,” which lists policies, concepts, steps and tips for creating such an environment, has been published.
3. We have been conducting surveys on the degree of perceived satisfaction expressed by foreigners toward the English-friendly environment to evaluate its overall effectiveness. The overall degree of perceived satisfaction by foreigners toward the English-friendly environment in 2006 has gone up to 54.3% compared with 42.2% in the previous year.
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Strategy 9: Expanding public involvement and intensifying publicity and the practice of learning from good examples |
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1. “Guidelines for Evaluating and Awarding Quality English-friendly Environments” have been enacted as the basis for establishing a mechanism for hierarchical evaluations and awards. So far, 1,275 government agencies and organizations have been evaluated,
958 of which have been awarded the “Emblem of a Quality English-friendly Environment.” Their efforts have led to an improved English-friendly environment in Taiwan.
2. To implement the plan for creating an English-friendly environment, city and county governments have hired 73 experts to assist in English translation and editing, have organized 70 workshops on how to create an English-friendly environment, have carried out 122 promotion sessions for the plan, have conducted 83 evaluations of their subordinate agencies and have provided 106 consultations.
3. The “Emblem of a Quality English-friendly Environment” has been redesigned and its issuance and publicity have been proposed to encourage more involvement by businesses and non-government organizations in creating a friendly environment for foreigners in Taiwan.
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The “Action Plan for Creating an English-friendly Environment” is a strategic plan with multiple objectives. Its implementation has had positive effects on tourism, as a total of 3,378,118 foreign tourists have visited Taiwan since its implementation and revenue of NT$356,100,000,000 has been generated as a result. Based on the consensus reached during the Taiwan Sustainable Economic Development Meeting, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has proposed the “Stage 1 Plan of the Economic Development Vision for 2015: Industry Development Package” that includes the following measures: Upgrading the quality of receptionists in hotels; providing training programs for tourism employees; constructing facilities for hosting large-scale international conferences and exhibitions; and improving Taiwan’s image. The goal of these measures is to make Taiwan an ideal Asian destination for foreign tourists, as 5.2 million foreign tourists are projected to visit Taiwan in 2009, with tourism revenue expected to reach NT$448,300,000,000.
According to statistics collected by the Ministry of the Interior, a total of 541,573 foreigners currently reside in Taiwan. As the number of foreigners grows, Taiwan society is becoming more diversified and the demand for people with good English proficiency is increasing rapidly. As learning English has become trendy in Taiwan, English competency has become a basic required qualification. In this era of globalization and internalization, through creating an English-friendly environment, Taiwan has been successful in shaping self-confidence and tolerance among its citizens. In addition, by connecting to the global village, progressive ideas, cultures, concepts and systems can be introduced to Taiwan and integrated with its own culture so that a new civil society can be created. We expect more joint efforts from the government and the private sector to deepen and broaden our connection to the international community. As a result, a global village could be established in Taiwan that will attract more foreigners to come here for investment, work, pleasure and residence.
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