TaiwanICDF and Belize Co-Host First TOCFL Computer-Based Test Advancing Mandarin Education and Connecting with the World
(中央社訊息服務20250911 10:49:25)The International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) on August 29 organized its first computerized adaptive test for Mandarin (TOCFL CAT) at the University of Belize (UB). The TaiwanICDF has been promoting Mandarin education in Belize through the Overseas Professional Mandarin Teaching Project since 2017, and in 2019 launched a pilot of Taiwan’s Mandarin proficiency test (TOCFL) in the country.
A total of 23 test candidates took part in the TOCFL CAT in August, marking a milestone in the development of Mandarin education in Belize. The successful administration of the test was made possible through the TaiwanICDF’s collaboration with Taiwan’s Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency–Huayu (SC-TOP), which opened its test registration platform to Belizeans in 2024. With the support of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belize, TaiwanICDF-dispatched Mandarin teacher Ms. Tung-Hsueh Chen coordinated efforts between SC-TOP and UB’s Regional Language Center (UB RLC). UB RLC provided a fully equipped computer lab for the test, and procured specialized headsets for the purpose, underscoring its strong commitment to promoting Mandarin learning.
TaiwanICDF Deputy Secretary General Peifen Hsieh highlighted that introducing the CAT reflects the digitalization and internationalization of Mandarin proficiency testing, aligning teaching and assessment with global trends. She also emphasized the significance of the TOCFL CAT to Belize. First, as UB’s first hosting of an internationally certified Mandarin proficiency test, the TOCFL CAT establishes standardized testing procedures in Belize. Second, the certificates obtained by successful test takers can serve as valuable credentials for applying to scholarships in Taiwan and abroad, thereby motivating students and broadening the influence of Mandarin education. Third, unlike in previous years when only a pilot beginner-level test was available, around 40% of candidates at this year’s test successfully passed the novice level (A1), demonstrating tangible learning outcomes and recognizing the professionalism of Mandarin instructors.
As Taiwan’s official Mandarin proficiency test, the administration of the TOCFL in Belize signifies the institutionalization and international alignment of Mandarin education in the country. It also deepens Taiwan–Belize educational cooperation, showcasing Taiwan’s ongoing commitment to language diplomacy, talent cultivation, and cultural exchange, while injecting new momentum into bilateral relations.
