Lighting Up Silicon Valley: How Peili Tai and TAC Are Bringing Taiwanese Language and Culture into the Spotlight

In the high-pressure world of Silicon Valley, where technology leaders and innovators abound, Peili Tai stands out.  She is —not only the Chief Information Officer at a global firm but also the long-time Principal of the Taiwan School of the Taiwanese American Center of Northern California (TAC). With a background in numerical data analysis and experience co-founding a startup, Tai has navigated fiercely competitive industries while publicly dedicating over 15 years to cultural education. Recently , she has led TAC’s outreach efforts including the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning (TCML), which recently celebrated a momentous occasion:  offering Mandarin classes at Google’s global headquarters.

A CIO’s  Side Mission: Serving the Taiwanese Community

Tai moved to Seattle with her family during middle high school and later graduated from the University of Washington. She relocated to Silicon Valley with her husband to pursue job opportunities.  In 2009, through a friend’s introduction, she joined BizLink Group as Executive Assistant to the CEO. That same year, through a board member’s recommendation, she was invited to serve as Principal of Taiwan School of TAC—marking the start of her journey in community service.

“I was born in Taiwan, and I love my homeland. In my limited free time, I’m happy to serve the Taiwanese community,” she says. On weekdays, Tai led digital transformation, global IT operations/projects, and AI initiatives at BizLink. On weekends, she handled curriculum planning and worked closely with TAC’s administrative team to build a structured teaching system. When she became CIO in 2016, she stepped back from daily school operations but continued to offer support behind the scenes. In 2025, after retiring, she returned as Principal once again.

Building a Home for Culture and Community

Founded in 2003 and based in San Jose, TAC was first launched in a rented corner of a local Taiwanese church, inviting community members to participate in outreach activities. Embracing the founding spirit of “equality and mutual respect,” Tai and her team introduced small classes focused on promoting cultural awareness and appreciation.

TAC offers a wide range of community-based classes including Mandarin, art, cooking, Taiwanese yo-yo, music, and notably Taiwanese language. “Taiwanese people should speak Taiwanese!” says Tai. The Taiwanese class has become a signature offering, even merging with cooking lessons to create immersive classrooms where students learn to express themselves while preparing traditional dishes.

To further meet local interests, TAC launched parent-child yoga and Taiwanese history classes. “TAC was never founded to make money,” Tai emphasizes. “It was created to serve the broader public and foster community connection.”

TCML: Mandarin with Meaning

In 2022, with support from Taiwan’s Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), TAC launched the TCML to serve adult learners aged 18 and above. Through weekend in-person classes and evening online sessions, the TAC TCML helps students strengthen their Mandarin skills while deepening their understanding of Taiwanese culture.

The program weaves together linguistic and cultural fluency by incorporating lessons on everyday communication skills with topics such as calligraphy, Taiwanese festivals, idioms, and oral storytelling.

A Major Milestone: Google Comes to Class

The TAC TCML entered a new chapter when invited by Google to host Mandarin classes at its Silicon Valley campus in 2022. Introduced via a Taiwanese Googler Network (a community of Taiwanese employees at Google), the collaboration  was structured around Google’s specific learning goals.

“Google proposed a tiered curriculum structure and required that learners pass  assessments at each level,” says Tai. Her team spent six months in intensive planning to finalize content, scheduling, and budgeting with Google. The school maintained a balanced financial model, while Google supported internal outreach to boost enrollment.

Student needs were clear—most wanted to communicate with family or apply Mandarin in professional settings. Courses were customized accordingly: beginners practiced language skills through Monopoly-style games, while advanced learners delivered thematic presentations on topics such as camping and feng shui. Others explored calligraphy, learning the structure and meaning of traditional characters. For engineers who frequently travel to Taiwan, business Mandarin was  a critical component.

Supporting Learning, Beyond the Classroom

Once Google became a long-term partner, the TAC TCML gained deeper insight into students’ interests, needs and adapted accordingly. Online video/chat consultation sessions allowed students to interact with teachers after class, and feedback consistently praised the program’s rigorous structure and rich supplemental materials.

“Some students don’t go to bed until they’ve finished Mandarin reading practice.” Tai says with admiration. She encourages students not only to practice vocabulary but also to use the language as a tool for cultural dialogue in daily life.

“Designing curriculum  must begin from the students’ perspectives. We want to help them thrive,” she adds. “It’s not just about language skills—it’s also about honoring and celebrating Taiwanese culture .” Tai believes students feel the heart behind the school’s efforts, and their positive feedback continues to motivate the entire team.

The Taiwan Spirit and the Road Ahead

Now in its third decade, TAC continues to evolve. In 2024,  the TAC TCML began working with the City of Fremont, adult education schools, and public libraries, offering Mandarin classes to a broader audiences. Teachers often start with storytelling to immerse both children and adults in the joy of learning.

Each year, over 140 learners enroll in the TAC TCML programs. Tai credits her team’s strength to unite and purpose: “Our administrative and teaching teams are the strongest force behind this mission. They serve with what we call the Taiwan Spirit–compassion, resilience, and commitment.

A partnership with Google and expanded community offerings are just the beginning.  With the help of their experienced and passionate team, TAC aims to bring professional Mandarin classes to more large  corporations in the future. “As a school representing Taiwan,” Tai reflects, “we stand proudly on the front lines. With continuous refinement, I believe Taiwan’s light will shine brighter for the world to see.”