I appreciate your dilemma.
Unfortunately for you, Taiwan is not like India. There are no state
supported English medium elementary schools, and such private schools as
may offer elementary level instruction in the English language will not be
government recognized. They may even be illegal.

Many infant schools (for children from 3 to 5 years of age) offer a
bilingual (chinese & english) environment, or one that, though in Chinese,
is hospitable to foreign children.

I suggest that you have someone who can speak Chinese phone (06)238 3884,
the Sin Lou Kindergarten, and speak to someone there about what it is like
for foreign children who come to their school. this is NOT a bilingual
format infant school, but one that, over the years, has integrated many
foreign children into a world of being children in Taiwan. If you want to
look at it, the address is Chin Nien Road, # 360. I do recommend, though,
that unless you can converse in Chinese, you take a translator with you, and
before visiting, that you make an appointment by telephone.

My own children, Taiwan born Americans who used English at home, did very
well in such a school in Kaohsiung when they were little. My daughter, now
26 years old, is currently in a Ph.D. course in Chinese literature at the
University of Chicago. Part of her foundation in Chinese language came
because she grew up in Taiwan, but a big part of that foundation was gained
between the ages of 3 and 5 while she was in that infant school in a purely
Chinese language environment. the school was accustomed to foreign children,
which made it worth more than just being the infant school nearest our home.
My son, 7 years younger than his sister, spent two years in the same school
without ever uttering a word of Chinese, but the teachers said that he
understood. Today, as an undergraduate student in an American school, he
still can converse in Chinese when that is needed.

I recommend taking advantage of the opportunity that life in Taiwan will
present to your daughter/son, and get a foundation in Chinese.

Peace,
David Alexander
Tainan Theological College and Seminary
Tainan

David Alexander
Tainan Theological College and Seminary
Tainan City, East Gate Road, Section 1 #117

06 237 1291 ext 103

Dear David
Lot of thanks for your informative and encouraging reply. Its true that children learn very fast and I should take advantage of the situation. And its really amazing to know about your daughter and son, who not only learned Chinese but imbibed to an extent of doing PhD in it. Really Great. I would request our office assistant to talk to Sin Lou Kindergarten. Thanks once again and nice knowing you.

Hello Sukalyan -
Welcome to the neighborhood. Best wishes for your family joining you. There are several other Indian families here so they should find help with adjusting quite easily.
I think there are a few english language middle schools here in Tainan. I hope you can find one for your daughter. And yes, they are legitimate schools.
Also, there is a cricket group that meets on the sports field of ChengDah on saturday mornings. Across from the baseball fields. Mostly medical technicians and I think a Dr. or two. They play other teams all over the island.
I am an American. My wife is Taiwanese and our son is now 16 yrs old. He speaks chinese and pretty good english. He has attended the local schools.
There is a very good local middle school right at Dasyue and Linsen road - HouJia...good school.

If you see me around the campus or on the street say 'Hello!'

TC