Introduction
Taiwan has always been a multicultural society. Early settlers such as the Hoklo (Minnan), Hakka, indigenous peoples, and immigrants from various provinces of mainland China have coexisted. In recent years, the increasing number of new immigrant women from Southeast Asia and their children has gradually become Taiwan's "fifth largest ethnic group."
To promote cultural integration, the government, schools, and civil organizations have launched multicultural education programs to help new immigrants integrate better into local society.
According to the 2019 Twelve-Year National Education Curriculum Guidelines, elementary school students in Taiwan are required to take one class per week in either a local language or a new immigrant language. These languages include Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Burmese, Cambodian, Filipino, and Malaysian. The government has also developed teacher training programs to support new immigrant language education and is gradually establishing a formal teacher certification system.
However, adapting to life in Taiwan is not easy for many new immigrant women. Language barriers, cultural differences, economic pressure, and family relationship issues often become challenges in their daily lives. These problems are closely related to language learning, making it crucial to provide appropriate language learning and life adaptation support for new immigrant women.
Challenges Faced by New Immigrant Women
After Taiwan revised the Employment Services Act in 1992, the number of new immigrants increased significantly. In 1994, the Southbound Policy encouraged Taiwanese businesses to set up factories in Southeast Asia, leading to an increase in cross-national marriages with people from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines.
However, many new immigrant women face difficulties in adapting to life in Taiwan, including:
- Language Barriers: Inability to speak Mandarin or Taiwanese fluently leads to communication challenges.
- Economic Pressure: Limited job opportunities make it difficult to contribute to household income.
- Family Relationships: Challenges in getting along with spouses and in-laws, often highlighting mother-in-law conflicts.
- Parental Education: Lack of familiarity with Taiwan’s education system makes it difficult to guide their children in schoolwork.
- Social Integration: Lack of social support networks, making them prone to loneliness and anxiety.
- Cultural Differences: Different dietary habits, values, and traditions compared to Taiwanese culture make adaptation difficult.
Many new immigrant women are eager to integrate better into their families and society. As a result, they actively learn the language and seek to understand local culture in hopes of gaining more respect and recognition.
How to Help New Immigrant Women Adapt to Life and Learn Languages
The government and civil organizations have introduced various support measures to help new immigrant women adapt to life. Some key strategies include:
- Providing Language and Life Adaptation Courses
- Chinese Literacy Classes and Taiwanese or Hakka Language Courses
- Life Skills Classes, such as guidance for obtaining a motorcycle license
- Life Adaptation Classes that introduce Taiwanese customs and festivals to help them understand local culture
- Enhancing Family Interaction and Parenting Education
- Courses on Spouse Relationships and Mother-in-law Interactions
- Parent-Child Reading Sessions and Family Board Game Activities
- Parenting and Childcare Courses
- Offering Vocational Training and Certification to Improve Employment Opportunities
- Basic Computer Skills Courses
- Training in Beauty, Nail Art, Cooking, and Baking
- Guidance for Obtaining Certifications to enhance job competitiveness
- Building Social Networks to Boost Confidence and Belonging
- Encouraging participation in Language Teaching Support Staff Training
- Training as Community Native Language Storytelling Instructors
- Volunteering as instructors in School Multicultural Activities
Conclusion
Taiwan has become a multicultural society, and new immigrant women and their children are an important part of this diversity. Instead of expecting them to "fully assimilate," we should embrace the concept of cultural coexistence, respecting diverse cultures and promoting mutual growth within Taiwanese society.
Although new immigrant women may face challenges in adapting to life and language learning, they demonstrate remarkable resilience and vitality through their efforts. Most importantly, we should offer greater education and support to help them adapt faster, ultimately contributing to a more harmonious society.
In the future, we hope the government and all sectors of society will continue to work together to create a more welcoming environment that enables new immigrant women and their families to enjoy better lives in Taiwan!
