A plain-English guide to the most common international school curricula, what they are, how they work, and which might suit your family best.
Curriculum guide
By Nik Higgins · Co-founder & CEO
The "108 curriculum" is Taiwan's competency-based national curriculum, launched in 2019 (year 108 in the Republic of China calendar). It reshaped Taiwanese education from rote memorisation toward autonomous, holistic and interdisciplinary learning. Used at Taiwanese-affiliated international schools and by many domestic schools serving international families.
Six years of primary. Cross-disciplinary "issues" learning is a distinctive part of the 108 reform.
Three years of lower secondary. Students take core subjects and start building their "learning portfolio" — a required part of senior-high applications.
Three years of upper secondary. Students choose specialty subjects, complete inquiry projects and finalise their learning portfolio for university admissions.
Taiwan 108
A hallmark of the 108 reform: students build a cumulative record of coursework, projects and self-directed exploration. Universities use it alongside exam scores when admitting students, aiming to reward breadth and self-direction, not just test-taking.
Is Taiwan 108 right for your child?
It tends to suit families who…
It may be less ideal if…
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