NUK Sustainability Report

2026-07-29

Chinese-language learning moved beyond the classroom and into everyday life as the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK) Language Center recently led nearly 30 international students on a bilingual sightseeing bus trip to Pingtung.

The students participated in the Pingtung Bilingual Transportation and Tourism Experience Tour, jointly organized by the National Development Council and the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, with support from the Pingtung County Government’s Department of Transportation and Tourism and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium.

Through bilingual transportation services, ecological interpretation, and marine exploration, the program extended Chinese-language learning into authentic settings. Students used Mandarin to learn about Taiwan while experiencing the country’s efforts to create a bilingual-friendly environment and advance marine conservation.

The activity took place on July 24. After proactively applying to the organizers and receiving approval, the NUK Language Center led nearly 30 teachers and students from its summer Chinese-language program on a one-day experiential learning trip to Pingtung.

For international students studying Mandarin in Taiwan, the excursion was more than an off-campus activity. It was an immersive course integrating language, transportation, culture, and the natural environment. Through field visits and first-hand experiences, students applied what they had learned in class to real-life situations, improved their Chinese-language proficiency, and deepened their understanding of Taiwan’s local culture and living environment.

Chih-Wen Chen, Director of the NUK Language Center, stated that the true value of language learning lies in its ability to serve as a bridge for understanding the world and connecting cultures.

For international students learning Mandarin in Taiwan, leaving the classroom and engaging directly with Taiwanese society and the natural environment is an important part of developing both language proficiency and cultural understanding. Through bilingual transportation and tourism experiences, the program encouraged students to move beyond simply “learning Chinese” toward “using Chinese to discover Taiwan.”

The activity not only broadened the students’ learning horizons but also transformed Taiwan’s natural environment, cultural heritage, and commitment to sustainable development into authentic and meaningful learning materials for international exchange.

To help students establish a foundation of knowledge before the visit, instructor Ching-Miao Wang prepared learning materials on marine species, ocean conservation, and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. On the day of the activity, instructors Pei-Yin Tsai and Yang-Hsia Hou accompanied the group and guided students in connecting classroom content with on-site interpretation.

This approach naturally extended language learning into real-life settings while increasing both the depth of learning and the quality of interaction.

The first stop was the museum’s Aquatic Organisms Research and Conservation Center. Guided by a bilingual interpreter, the students examined valuable marine specimens and research achievements related to Taiwan’s surrounding waters. They learned about the country’s efforts in marine ecological research and conservation, including initiatives to protect species such as green sea turtles.

Students also had the opportunity to feed baby corals. By observing marine organisms at close range, they experienced the diversity and complexity of ocean ecosystems firsthand.

The group then visited the museum’s Coral Kingdom Pavilion, where guided interpretation introduced students to the rich and diverse coral ecosystems and marine environments surrounding Taiwan.

Students frequently paused to observe the organisms on display and actively asked the guides questions. Through these Mandarin-language interactions, they strengthened their understanding of marine science and gained further insight into Taiwan’s achievements in ocean conservation and sustainable development.

In addition to marine education, the program allowed students to experience a bilingual sightseeing transportation system in practice. They learned how bilingual public services can help international visitors plan their journeys, reduce travel barriers, and access tourism destinations more easily.

The activity also demonstrated how bilingual policy can be implemented in public transportation and tourism settings, enabling language learning to connect seamlessly with daily life while increasing students’ confidence in using public transit to explore Taiwan.

Nattaporn Kaewpukdee, a student from Thailand studying in Taiwan under the Ministry of Education’s Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, said she had never realized how much effort Taiwan had invested in marine ecological conservation.

The visit enabled her to see Taiwan’s diverse marine environments and research achievements while also experiencing the convenience and accessibility of the bilingual sightseeing bus. She noted that such services make it easier for international students to engage with Taiwan’s nature and culture and give them greater confidence in exploring the country by public transportation.

She hopes to visit more places in the future, deepen her understanding of Taiwan, and become less concerned about language or transportation barriers.

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@Language Center | Activities