Where to study Chinese in Taipei
Three Mandarin programs for different types of learners
Taiwan is a great place to study Mandarin, particularly for those looking for an alternative to China. Many prospective students can apply for the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship, which pays NT$28,000 per month for two, three, six, nine, or 12 months, depending on the applicant’s country quota.
According to Ministry of Education (MOE) data, 28,163 foreign students were enrolled at university-affiliated Mandarin centers in Taiwan in 2024-2025. The figure does not include people studying informally with private tutors or at private language schools.
As demand has grown, Taiwan has expanded its network of university-affiliated Mandarin centers to 71 nationwide as of 2026, according to the MOE.
So whether you are looking for intensive full-immersion study or a program that fits around work or other commitments, here are three options worth considering in Taipei.
#1: International Chinese Language Program
A demanding full-time program built for rapid progress
Located on the National Taiwan University (NTU) campus, the International Chinese Language Program, better known as ICLP, is one of Taipei's most demanding Mandarin programs, offering intensive training in Mandarin, Taiwanese, and classical Chinese.
Students take one one-on-one class and three group classes each day, with a heavy focus on speaking. The program also runs as a strict immersion environment, meaning students are expected not to use foreign languages at all.
ICLP follows an academic year format, with 10- or 11-week quarters, while the summer term runs for nine weeks. The program is notoriously expensive, costing NT$155,000 to NT$170,000 per quarter, although this includes textbooks.
Alongside its main intensive program, ICLP also offers one-on-one courses and a "Chinese Gap Year in Taipei" program aimed at students who have not yet started university.
The workload is closer to a full-time job than a casual language class, but for serious Chinese learners, that is part of the appeal.
"ICLP is the most intense study experience of my life," said Cas Sutherland, who studied there from 2021 to 2022. "I spent a year there, and my Chinese level doubled, if not tripled, within just a couple of months."
#2: Mandarin Training Center
One of Taiwan's largest Mandarin programs, with a diverse student body
The Mandarin Training Center (MTC) at National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU) is Taiwan's largest Chinese language school. Compared to ICLP, it's a more budget-friendly option.
Located in Daan District, the center attracts thousands of students from around the world each year and offers courses ranging from beginner to advanced level. Students can choose between regular and intensive programs, with tuition typically ranging from around NT$26,000 (13-18 students per class) to NT$40,000 (6-10 students per class) for a three-month term.
Classes place a strong emphasis on practical communication and everyday language skills, while the school's large international community makes it easy to find language exchange partners and build a social network.
Students can enroll in regular quarterly terms or shorter summer programs, with flexible schedules that make it easier to balance study with work, travel, or life in Taiwan.
”I came in as an advanced student and there were plenty of courses for me to take," said Hollie Younger, who studied at MTC for around 12 months in 2022 and 2023. "I took two semesters of newspaper classes where we watched the news and discussed current affairs. It landed me my internship at Taipei Times and taught me vocabulary and skills I still use every day as a journalist in Taiwan."
While the pace may be less demanding than ICLP, the Mandarin Training Center remains one of the most established and accessible options for foreigners looking to learn Chinese in Taiwan.
#3: Taiwan Chinese Academy
Small-group learning with flexible scheduling and a practical focus
For those looking for a smaller, more flexible alternative to Taipei's big university language centers, Taiwan Chinese Academy (TCA) offers private and small-group Mandarin classes.
The school runs regular, intensive, evening, weekend, private, and three-month intensive courses. Classes are capped at six students, giving learners more speaking time than they would usually get in many larger university programs.
It is also relatively good value, with a course offering eight hours of instruction per week costing around NT$15,000 for a six-week term.
Unlike ICLP or MTC, Taiwan Chinese Academy has more of a boutique language-school feel, with a focus on practical Mandarin, flexibility, and a less intimidating classroom environment. It does still use the widely adopted A Course in Contemporary Chinese textbook series, meaning students still follow a structured curriculum.
"I really like how small the classes are, and there is a big focus on actually speaking Chinese, which is different compared to the other learning experiences I've had," said Billie Sweetman, who studied at TCA in 2025.
It is likely to appeal most to students who want structured lessons without committing to a full university-style program, as well as people already living in Taipei who need classes that fit around work or travel.
