▎GLOBAL OUTLOOK

The International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL) is a prestigious global competition that challenges high school students in logical reasoning, cultural understanding, and creativity. Unlike traditional academic Olympiads, IOL does not require participants to have extensive knowledge of linguistics or fluency in multiple languages. Instead, students are tasked with interpreting linguistic samples from unfamiliar languages, thus honing their skills in grammar, phonology, semantics, and script analysis. Through conducting intricate logical deduction and data analysis, participants develop their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

In 2024, Associate Professor Chen-Hao Chiu of NTU’s Graduate Institute of Linguistics and Associate Professor Chen-Hsiu Kuo of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures led the Taiwan delegation to Brazil for the 21st IOL, where the team once again achieved remarkable results. In the individual competition, Taiwanese students won three silver medals, one bronze, and an honorable mention, while the team also secured a bronze in the group category, demonstrating Taiwan’s excellence on the international IOL stage.

Since 2016, Taiwan has consistently excelled in IOL, earning numerous individual and team awards, including gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as the Best Solution Award. Taiwan’s cumulative medal count has placed it among the top ten countries globally, establishing a strong reputation within the international linguistics community. These achievements reflect Taiwan’s robust foundation in linguistics and logical analysis education, as well as the effective integration of educational innovation and technology.

Following up on Taiwan’s consistently outstanding performances over the years, the country successfully bid to host the 22nd IOL in the summer of 2025 at NTU. The event will attract top students and coaches from over 50 countries and regions, offering Taiwan a golden opportunity to showcase her technological prowess and educational innovations while enhancing the global outlook of the rising generation. Taiwan and NTU look forward to welcoming the international IOL community, and hosting IOL 2025 with a spirit of warmth, innovation, and excellence, as well as hopes of advancing linguistic education on a global scale.