The Ministry of Education launched 34 Taiwan Sign Language distance-learning classes taught entirely by deaf instructors beginning in October 2025, underscoring the government’s commitment to improving learning quality and efficiency.
According to an MOE statement released Dec. 5, the initiative is expected to help more students understand linguistic diversity and equal language rights while deepening awareness of deaf culture.
TSL was included in the Development of National Languages Act in 2019, and the MOE began incorporating related courses into school curricula in 2022. Due to challenges such as a shortage of qualified instructors and the geographic isolation of some schools, the ministry’s K-12 Education Administration commissioned Taoyuan City-based National Central University and Taipei City-based Commerce Development Research Institute to jointly launch livestreamed remote classes for K-12 students.
By the close of the 2024-2025 academic year, 47 instructors had taught nearly 3,000 students from more than 400 schools nationwide, contributing to the wider adoption of TSL, the MOE said. While most classes had previously been led by hearing teachers, deaf instructors were invited to participate on a rotating basis, allowing students to closely observe nuanced hand movements and facial expressions while also expanding employment opportunities for deaf educators.
Although TSL courses in Taiwan are still primarily conducted in physical classrooms, remote livestreamed instruction remains an important complementary learning mechanism that supports a more inclusive and equitable language-learning environment, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
According to an MOE statement released Dec. 5, the initiative is expected to help more students understand linguistic diversity and equal language rights while deepening awareness of deaf culture.
TSL was included in the Development of National Languages Act in 2019, and the MOE began incorporating related courses into school curricula in 2022. Due to challenges such as a shortage of qualified instructors and the geographic isolation of some schools, the ministry’s K-12 Education Administration commissioned Taoyuan City-based National Central University and Taipei City-based Commerce Development Research Institute to jointly launch livestreamed remote classes for K-12 students.
By the close of the 2024-2025 academic year, 47 instructors had taught nearly 3,000 students from more than 400 schools nationwide, contributing to the wider adoption of TSL, the MOE said. While most classes had previously been led by hearing teachers, deaf instructors were invited to participate on a rotating basis, allowing students to closely observe nuanced hand movements and facial expressions while also expanding employment opportunities for deaf educators.
Although TSL courses in Taiwan are still primarily conducted in physical classrooms, remote livestreamed instruction remains an important complementary learning mechanism that supports a more inclusive and equitable language-learning environment, the ministry added. (YCH-E)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw
from Taiwan Today – Top News