Introduction of Chung Hwa Correspondence School, OCAC

Object:

The Chung Hwa Correspondence School was established by the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission to promote the overseas compatriot education. Courses of Chinese language education and vocational skills are offered by correspondence and the Internet to provide the overseas compatriots with life-long learning opportunities.

 History:

Originally named the Overseas Chinese School of Education by Correspondence, the Chung Hwa Correspondence School was founded on July 1, 1940 in Chungching, China to recruit those who were willing to dedicate to overseas compatriot educations. Later it was interrupted by the World War II and had been shortly reopened in Nanking, China in May 1946. It was again reopened in 1956 in Taiwan and renamed Chung Hwa Correspondence School on September 30, 1966. The recruitment was also enlarged from overseas compatriot school teachers to general overseas compatriots. Reacting to the international situations at that time and also to satisfy the needs coming from overseas compatriot communities, the school has expanded the education programs to three fields and they are language education, vocational skills, and youth education. These are further subdivided into 11 programs including that of “Chinese Instruction”, etc. to provide the free teaching materials for overseas compatriots. In 1979, the Open Academy was established to start the radio teaching programs of Chinese Language. In order to have the teaching resources efficiently utilized, the programs of Open Academy were combined with those of the correspondence school in 2001.

 As the use of Internet becomes more and more widespread in recent years, starting from 1999 the school has made teaching materials available on the Internet that allows the overseas compatriots to access easier.

 Courses:

 Starting from Year 2007, the registration for courses takes place between August 15 and December 15 and the courses offered are year-long, and materials for each course are set out in 10 tutorials. Each tutorial includes questions and answer sheets, which students should complete and return to the school for marking. Completion certificates will be issued to those whose average mark for courses undertaken is 60 or above. There are 11 programs, and 76 courses are offered during the 2006 academic year. [Program Introduction for 2006 academic year] Besides, the School Newsletter is published 5 times a year and acts as the bridge to assist the overseas compatriot students to learn about Chinese culture

Future Development

 The numbers of students coming from the major overseas compatriot communities have reached 500,000 and more after the school established. The school also strongly encourages the overseas teachers to have language classes, alumni associations or school reunions. In the future, the school will continue its fundamental efforts for correspondence education as always but to further provide the resources for distance learning using Network Technology in order to provide life-long learning opportunities for overseas compatriot teachers and students.