In 1990, Liang Jin-qun (梁金群), the first new immigrant writer in Taiwan, arrived to study at the Department of Chinese Literature of Feng Chia University. Liang received several literary honors and had exceptional Chinese writing abilities. Four collections of prose and novels have been published in Taiwan thus far.
Along with overcoming the prejudice that early Taiwanese society had against new immigrants, Liang Jin-qun (梁金群) was acknowledged as a "model teacher" and became one of the few new immigrant instructors authorized to teach Chinese subject in high schools. Now that she is more actively involved in new immigrants’ concerns, Liang hopes to use her thirty-three years of experience as a teacher and writer in Taiwan to inspire and assist more foreign students and new immigrants in boldly pursuing their goals.
Liang Jin-qun with her husband.Photo provide by Liang Jin-qun (梁金群)
In the third grade of elementary school, Liang Jin-qun (梁金群), who was born in a Chinese town in Malaysia's tropical jungle, aspired to become a writer. Liang believed that since she had grown up with a Chinese education, she would not have any language difficulties when she moved to Taiwan at the age of 20 to attend university. It took her some time to adjust when she unexpectedly realized that there were more cultural differences in Taiwan than she had anticipated.
Liang Jin-qun, the first new immigrant writer, promotes diversity in Taiwan via writing.Photo provide by Liang Jin-qun (梁金群)
Liang Jin-qun (梁金群) quickly adjusted to life in Taiwan since she had grown up in cosmopolitan Malaysia. This is what the multicultural development experience ought to provide.
Liang Jin-qun, the first new immigrant writer, promotes diversity in Taiwan via writing.Photo provide by Liang Jin-qun (梁金群)
Liang Jin-qun(梁金群)'s collegiate writing also brought her more than a dozen literary honors. According to Liang, although international students studying in Taiwan undoubtedly have unique life experiences, their language skills are unavoidably lacking. Working with words requires a strong psychological makeup, and success requires perseverance through adversity.
Following her graduation from the graduate school of Chinese Studies, Liang Jin-qun (梁金群) was employed as a middle school Chinese instructor in a private school. She also put a lot of effort into getting ready for teacher selection exams and public junior high schools at the same time. Liang really passed the preliminary exam many times throughout the five years that she challenged the teacher selection exam, but she always failed the oral exam. She realized that the stereotype that "Malaysians are not suitable to be Chinese teachers" persisted in Taiwanese culture after learning the real cause.
Liang Jin-qun, the first new immigrant writer, promotes diversity in Taiwan via writing.Photo provide by Liang Jin-qun (梁金群)
She is not just a prose writer but also an inspiration to others. In addition to becoming Taiwan's first new immigrant writer, Liang Jin-qun (梁金群) is an award-winning teacher. Liang's writing enables readers in Taiwan to comprehend Malaysia's multiculturalism as well as the challenges experienced by new immigrants to Taiwan.
Liang Jin-qun, the first new immigrant writer, promotes diversity in Taiwan via writing.Photo provide by Liang Jin-qun (梁金群)
Liang Jin-qun (梁金群) still advocates for multicultural education, actively discusses experiences of multicultural living, and looks out for the needs and welfare of new immigrants to the area. According to Liang, multi-education aims to break down boundaries and help people understand one another and various cultures. This is the reason that even after moving to Taiwan, she continued to introduce students to her birthplace of Malaysia and to write about it in the hopes that everyone would understand that welcoming new immigrants to Taiwan is the greatest way to develop a "multicultural Taiwan".
