On July 24, the Language Center of National University of Kaohsiung led nearly 30 participants from its summer Mandarin program to Pingtung for the Pingtung Bilingual Transportation and Tourism Experience Tour. The Language Center proactively applied to join the program and was selected following an official review. Students then traveled by bilingual sightseeing bus for a full day of field-based learning that integrated language, transportation, culture, and marine ecology.

For international students studying Mandarin in Taiwan, the journey was more than an ordinary field trip. It provided an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in authentic situations, communicate through Mandarin, and understand Taiwanese society through direct observation and participation.

To help students establish a foundation before the visit, Mandarin instructor Ching-miao Wang prepared learning materials related to marine organisms, ocean conservation, and the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. These materials introduced key concepts and vocabulary before students entered the actual learning environment.

During the trip, instructors Pei-yin Tsai and Yang-hsia Hou accompanied the group and guided students in connecting classroom content with the bilingual explanations and exhibits they encountered. This combination of preparation, observation, questions, and discussion helped deepen both language comprehension and subject knowledge.

The first stop was the Aquatic Organisms Experimental Center at the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium. Guided by bilingual interpreters, students learned about valuable marine specimens, current research achievements, and Taiwan’s efforts to protect its surrounding marine ecosystems.

The tour also introduced conservation programs for marine animals such as the green sea turtle. Students observed research facilities and specimens at close range and took part in a hands-on activity feeding young corals. Through direct interaction with marine life, they experienced the diversity and complexity of the ocean in a way that textbooks alone could not provide.

The group later visited the museum’s Coral Kingdom Pavilion, where students explored the rich coral ecosystems and marine environments surrounding Taiwan. Large aquarium displays, underwater tunnels, coral reefs, and a wide variety of marine organisms transformed scientific knowledge into a vivid visual experience.

Students frequently stopped to observe the exhibits, exchange ideas, and ask questions in Mandarin. By interacting with guides in a real-life setting, they strengthened their understanding of marine science while learning more about Taiwan’s commitment to ocean conservation and sustainable development.

In addition to marine education, the program allowed students to experience how bilingual public transportation services support international travelers. Through bilingual announcements, travel information, guidance, and tourism services, students observed how language policy can be implemented in everyday public spaces.

The experience helped students understand how bilingual services can reduce travel barriers, make local destinations easier to access, and create a more welcoming environment for visitors. It also increased their confidence in using public transportation to independently explore Taiwan.

Language Center Director Jyh-wen Chern noted that the true value of language learning lies in its ability to become a bridge for understanding the world and connecting cultures. For international students studying Mandarin in Taiwan, entering real social, cultural, and natural environments is an essential step toward developing deeper language ability and cultural understanding.

Through bilingual transportation and marine education, students progressed from simply “learning Mandarin” to “using Mandarin to understand Taiwan.” Taiwan’s natural environment, human connections, and sustainability efforts therefore became authentic and meaningful teaching materials for international exchange.

Thai student Nattaporn Kaewpukdee, who is studying in Taiwan through the Ministry of Education’s Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, shared that she had never realized how much effort Taiwan had invested in marine ecological conservation.

She hopes to visit more places in the future, deepen her understanding of Taiwan, and continue using public transportation to discover the country’s natural and cultural diversity.

Beginning a day of bilingual learning and marine exploration

International participants join the bilingual transportation experience