臺北市新住民專區網站英文版

By Tsai Chao-Hsien, Director of Counseling, Jiuzhuang Elementary School

    According to the 2020 population statistics from the Ministry of the Interior, the number of newborns with at least one parent who is a new immigrant accounted for 7.7% of all newborns in 2020. This shows a decreasing trend from the peak of 13.37% in 2003. However, the proportion of new immigrants in Taiwan's population remains significant.

    Although the learning experience of new immigrant children in school is not different from that of other students, it mainly depends on whether the family's function can be effectively carried out. However, there is a difference in choosing language courses and the native language they speak at home.

    In the 2019 academic year, the languages of the seven Southeast Asian countries were included in the elective courses for local languages. We observed that many new immigrant children with Southeast Asian backgrounds would not choose their parents' native language. This curious phenomenon led us to check with the children on their thoughts. They often stated that they chose to study Taiwanese or Hakka at the request of their grandparents and that they were not proficient in their mother's native language. New immigrants from Southeast Asian countries, especially new immigrant women, are a vulnerable group in mainstream Taiwanese families. These women not only have to fully bear the responsibility of household chores but also contribute to the family's income. With their limited time and energy, it is difficult for them to focus on their children's learning at school.

    To better understand the difficulties faced by new immigrant families and their children's learning opportunities at school, I have been paying attention to the opportunities for new immigrant parents to teach their children their native language at home. However, each new immigrant family's situation varies. Some families are fortunate enough to treat each other fairly, allowing children to communicate with their parents in their native language from a young age. Even if they don't speak their native language perfectly, they still gain a deep understanding of their parents' native culture. On the other hand, in families with unequal marital relationships, the new immigrant's status in the family is clearly at a disadvantage. Often, grandparents will not allow the new immigrants to teach their children their native language at home. Consequently, choosing Southeast Asian language courses at school becomes an impossible option for these children.

    I have tried discussing the selection of local languages with new immigrant children and their families, emphasizing the advantages of various educational opportunities and linguistic skills. Particularly for children and parents from disadvantaged families, I have spoken with them about the benefits of learning another language, which can provide numerous opportunities in the future. This includes not only the ability to communicate with people from their native country but also to serve as a bridge for cultural and economic development between the two nations. For instance, introducing Taiwan's specialty industries to their native countries or bringing the unique economic and cultural aspects of their native countries to Taiwan. Examples include Vietnamese rice cuisine - pho noodles, and Taiwan's bubble tea. Nonetheless, mastering the language is crucial for accessing various opportunities.

    After several conversations with new immigrant parents and children, they have become more interested in learning their native language and have started to pay more attention to the economic and cultural aspects of their native countries. With continuous learning and growth, they can expect for a brighter future.