Washington DC Taiwanese School

Washington DC Taiwanese School (Chinese: 華府台灣學校; Modern Taiwanese Language: Hoahuo Taioaan Haghau; Wade–Giles: Hua-fu Taiwan Hsueh-hsiao; Pinyin: Huafu Taiwan Xuexiao) is a Taiwanese-American nonprofit organization that was established in 1983. The school offers classes on Sunday afternoons at Cabin John Middle School in Potomac, Maryland, with a curriculum focused on language learning, cultural immersion, and community engagement.

WDCTS
Washington DC Taiwanese School
華府台灣學校;

Hoahuo Taioaan Haghau;

Hua-fu Taiwan Hsueh-hsiao
Formation1983
TypeNonprofit
Location
  • United States
Official language
English, Modern Taiwanese Language, Mandarin
Parent organization
Taiwanese Youth Arts Foundation (TYAF)
Websitehttps://wdcts.org/

Accomplishments and Community Impact edit

Washington DC Taiwanese School (WDCTS) has been recognized for preserving Taiwanese heritage overseas[1] and its teaching and management of the Taiwan Centers for Mandarin Learning by the Taiwanese government.[2][3] The school commemorates significant events such as 2-28 Memorial Day[4] and Taiwan Human Rights Day,[5] and hosts various cultural celebrations and events, including the Lunar New Year,[6][7][8][9] Mother's Day,[10] Dragon Boat Festival,[11] Ancestors Day,[12] Mid-Autumn Festival,[13] and Winter Solstice celebration[14]

The school participates in local communities and events, such as the Rockville Bubble Tea Festival[15][16] and the Lantern Festival.[17] In the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WDCTS delivered meals to medical personnel at hospitals in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.[18][19]

The school trains teachers[20][21] and showcase its students accomplishments.[22][23] It emphasizes preserving languages by promoting reading and writing skills.[24][25] The school also hosts events, such as calligraphy competitions.[26][27][28]

Classes and Extracurricular Activities edit

The Washington DC Taiwanese School provides Taiwanese, traditional Mandarin, and Japanese classes at various levels for both children and adults.[29] Extracurricular activities are offered for children and adult to participate include chess club, TaiChi, dance, yoga, basketball, GuZheng, percussion, and calligraphy.[30]

WDCTS Historic Background edit

In 1983, the Washington DC Taiwanese Language School, later renamed Washington DC Taiwanese School, was founded by a group of Taiwanese Americans. It was established with the aim of preserving and promoting Taiwanese heritage, languages, and lifestyles for future generations while also inviting the American public to experience and understand this unique culture.[citation] Initially, the school's programs included "literary (文), martial (武), and recreational (康樂)" activities.

Dragon Boat Teams edit

Washington DC Taiwanese School has both an adult and a youth dragon boat team that compete annually in the DC Dragon Boat Festival.[31][32] The adult team, Humpbacks, was formed in 2007, and the youth team, Belugas, was formed in 2019.[33]

Taiwanese Youth Arts Foundation (TYAF) edit

The Taiwanese Youth Arts Foundation (TYAF) (Chinese: 台灣人青少年才藝基金會; Modern Taiwanese Language: Taioaan-laang Zhengsiaolieen Zaige Kikimhoe; Wade–Giles: Taiwan Jen Ching-shao-nien Tsai-i Chi-chun Hui; Pinyin: Taiwan Ren QingShaoNian CaiYi JiJin Hui) is a non-profit organization established in 1982 in the Washington DC area by local Taiwanese-American individuals. Its mission statement is to provide an environment and opportunities for young Taiwanese Americans to learn about and promote Taiwanese culture.[34]

TYAF is the organization that operates WDCTS. TYAF sponsors various cultural and charitable activities, including the Outstanding Taiwanese American Youth Awards and annual WDCTS events such as their Lunar New Year Party, Taiwanese American Heritage Week,[35] Mother's Day celebration,[36] and Winter Solstice festival. It also sponsors cultural activities such as Taiwanese puppet shows, and organizes charitable activities such as standing up against AAPI hate,[37] and raising funds for disaster relief with other local Taiwanese American organizations.[38]

TYAF Historic Background edit

The foundation was used by the founders to accept donations from fellow Taiwanese Americans and rent classrooms to hold regular activities.

Activities edit

TYAF and the Taiwanese Association of America (TAA) have jointly organized "Taiwan Night"[39] every year since 1985. The event includes the presentation of the Outstanding Youth Award to recognize young talent, as well as special community service awards for exceptional contributions to the Taiwanese community. In 2007, TYAF became a certifying organization for the President's Volunteer Service Award, which it now presents to recognize service to the Taiwanese community.

Scholarships edit

TYAF provides scholarships to support education and promote Taiwanese culture, language, and heritage. The foundation offers three scholarships that recognize and reward excellence among youth in Taiwanese language and culture.

Outstanding Service Award edit

The Outstanding Service Award is presented by TYAF to community leaders who have shown exceptional dedication to serving their communities. Recipients are chosen based on their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those around them.[40]

References edit

  1. ^ "「台灣人就要會講台灣話」 華府台灣學校獲本土語言貢獻獎(影音)". Rti 中央廣播電臺 (in Chinese). Radio Taiwan International. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  2. ^ "2022年「臺灣華語文學習中心」評鑑結果出爐 4所學習中心獲評最優 各具教學及經營優勢|僑教 | 僑務電子報". ocacnews.net (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  3. ^ "徐佳青參訪華府台灣學校 見證海外臺語耕耘成果". www.ocac.gov.tw. Overseas Community Affairs Council. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  4. ^ Washington DC Taiwanese School Commemorates 2-28 Memorial Day, Voice of America, retrieved 2023-04-10
  5. ^ "Washington D.C. Taiwanese School Commemorates 228 Taiwan Human Rights Day|English News | 僑務電子報". ocacnews.net (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. ^ "Taiwan Fun虎年舉辦創意「筊間」台灣學校WDCTS古早遊戲喜氣滿滿過新年". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  7. ^ Celebrating the Lunar New Year in Washington, DC, Voice of America, retrieved 2023-04-10
  8. ^ "台灣學校Taiwan Fun 布袋戲史豔文亮相". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  9. ^ Admin5 (2017-04-30). "Washington DC Taiwanese School (華府台灣學校)". History of Taiwanese American (T.A. Archives) 台美史料中心. Retrieved 2023-04-13.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "台灣學校WDCTS舉辦溫馨母親節聯歡轟PA". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  11. ^ "台灣學校華語文中心五日節品味北南粽鹼粽參觀DC 扒龍船草藥香包精油融合古今防疫 驅五毒". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  12. ^ "清明時節雨不停,台灣學校呷潤餅!「腥臊」菜料澎湃來,捲起正港台灣味!". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  13. ^ "2022年華府台灣學校開學舉辦歡慶中秋節活動". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  14. ^ "華府台灣學校舉辦冬至團圓慶 三代同堂共傳臺灣情". www.ocac.gov.tw. Overseas Community Affairs Council. 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  15. ^ "2nd Annual Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival". Rockville, MD. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  16. ^ Staff, M. C. S. (2022-08-28). "2022 Taiwan Bubble Tea Festival to Take Place on September 24 in Rockville". The MoCo Show. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  17. ^ "華府台灣學校華語文中心與美國華府地區主流社會2022年喜慶度元宵". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  18. ^ "華府台灣學校行善不落人後 捐贈便當回饋前線醫護及警消人員". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  19. ^ "Taiwan can help!華府台灣學校師生為醫護送餐". Formosa Television. 2020-06-13. Retrieved 2023-04-13.
  20. ^ "華府臺灣學校 2020 臺語教師研習會(線上)". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  21. ^ "臺灣學校2022舉辦臺語教師研習營". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  22. ^ "美國台灣學校WDCTS台語班歲末才藝表演和LEARNING成果報告活動". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  23. ^ "台灣學校WDCTS華語文中心成人高級班舉辦歲末學員成果報告趣味展現學習成果". wchns.net. Washington Chinese Daily News. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  24. ^ "臺灣學校2023蒙郡百貨公司向華府主流社會推廣華語文中心". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  25. ^ "2023臺灣學校與電音三太子於馬州小臺北Rockville市成功推廣TCML". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  26. ^ "華府臺灣學校 2022 華語文競賽". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  27. ^ "華府臺灣學校高年級班舉辦2022漢字文化節正體字部首字邊拼字競賽". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  28. ^ "華府臺灣學校 正體漢字文化節活動—華語文才藝競賽(線上)". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  29. ^ "OCAC.R.O.C.(Taiwan) – Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning". english.ocac.gov.tw. Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  30. ^ "臺灣學校2022「漢字文化節」 指間揮灑線條書卷氣". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  31. ^ "Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival". www.dcdragonboatfestival.com. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  32. ^ "Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival - Race Results". www.dcdragonboatfestival.com. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  33. ^ "臺灣學校 DC 華府龍舟競賽勇奪三金一銅". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  34. ^ "Introduction". tyafdc.org. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  35. ^ "Taiwan Fiesta -「台美人傳統週」5/18 ,Wootton High School" (PDF). www.nvaecs.org. 2019-05-18. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  36. ^ "臺灣學校 WDCTS, 華府臺灣人青少年才藝基金會 TYAF 舉辦溫馨母親節聯歡". www.huayuworld.org (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Overseas Community Affairs Council. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  37. ^ "19個台美社團致函拜登 籲加強台美關係 共同面對威脅維護亞太安全". Yahoo News (in Chinese). Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  38. ^ "Taiwanese Association of America Greater Washington Chapter (TAAGWC) - 華府台灣同鄉會報告- "We stand with Ukraine" Donation 支持捐款". www.taagwc.org. Retrieved 2023-04-12.
  39. ^ "華府台灣同鄉會舉辦迎新年餐會". www.singtaousa.com (in Chinese). Sing Tao News Corporation. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  40. ^ "TYAF - Home". tyafdc.org. Retrieved 2023-04-12.

39°01′54″N 77°10′20″W / 39.03161°N 77.17209°W / 39.03161; -77.17209