ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the Taiwan is used as an interchangeable term with the Republic of China and includes the main island of Taiwan and the offshore islets of Penghu, Kinmen, Wuchiu and Matsu. Taiwan’s language education policy as is the case with many developed and developing countries, is being shaped by ‘nationalism and national unification’ as well as ‘modernisation and economic growth’. The chapter highlights significant sign-posts in the development of Taiwan’s language education policy over different historical eras amid the succession of regime changes from which a macro trend of language policy and language planning. The Japanese Empire ruled Taiwan from 1895 to 1945. Marking the end of World War II, the year 1945 also saw the empire lose the second Sino-Japanese War. Languages for the first time in Taiwan’s history became a marker of identity. In addition, globalisation further reshaped the language ecology of Taiwan.
