Taipei City’s Department of Civil Affairs yesterday launched an online exam database for the naturalization language examination in an effort to help foreigners who want to become naturalized citizens prepare for the exam.
The Naturalization Language Examination Audio Database System incorporates 223 written exam questions with pictures and an audio track, allowing test takers to practice more efficiently, the department said.
Demonstrating the computerized practice exam, system designer Liu Hsin-chi (劉信志) said most test takers are foreign spouses from Southeast Asia who often have difficulties understanding Chinese and prepared for the exam by memorizing each question. The online system, which incorporates illustrations and an audio track in Mandarin, Taiwanese and Hakka, should make it easier for foreigners to practice, he said.
“Memorizing the exam questions when you don’t fully understand the language is a painstaking process and I hope the system will facilitate the preparation process and help more foreigners obtain citizenship,” Liu said at a press conference.
The naturalization language examination is one of the tests foreigners are required to pass to obtain Republic of China citizenship following an amendment to the Nationality Law (國籍法) in 2005. The amendment states that applicants can acquire Republic of China citizenship by passing a Chinese-language test and a comprehensive test covering social, educational and legal issues.
Siti Solihah, an Indonesian woman who married her -Taiwanese husband three years ago, said the computerized practice system made preparation for the exam easier, especially with the illustrations that come with each question.
“I still have some trouble understanding Mandarin and the illustrations helped me understand the question and remember the answers. It also reduced the stress preparing for the exam because it feels like you’re playing an online game,” she said.
Statistics from the department showed that of 41,347 foreign residents living in Taipei City, about 11,960 have obtained Republic of China citizenship.
Commissioner of the department Huang Lu Ching-ju (黃呂錦茹) said the exam, which was previously held every three months, will be held every month from September as the department hopes to better facilitate the naturalization process.
The online exam practice system can be found on the department’s Web site at www.ca.taipei.gov.tw.
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