Using the survey method of research, this paper investigated Taiwanese students' language consciousness of their mother tongues and their language ability. A comparison is then made between students from the Taiwanese Literature Department and other departments.Results of the survey showed that: (1) For most students, their attitude toward Taiwanese is one of general acceptance. One's area of study or gender does not affect one's attitude toward the language Taiwanese. However, students from northern Taiwan tend to have a more positive view of Taiwanese than students from eastern Taiwan. (2) For students majoring in Chinese literature or the sciences, 70% feel that it is enough to know sufficient Taiwanese for communication, but over 40% of the students in the Taiwanese literature major feel that it is necessary to be able to read and write in Taiwanese. On the other hand, most students from other majors (non-Taiwanese majors) feel that students majoring in Taiwanese literature should be able to read and write in Taiwanese, as opposed to less than half of the students in the Taiwanese literature department thinking this way. (3) compared to past studies, the survey showed a gradual worsening in students' ability to use their mother tongues. (4) Today, mother tongues are left with their ethnic consciousness-symbolic function only, and the practical usage of the language has been overtaken by Chinese. In terms of passing the mother tongue to the next generation, 40% of the Taiwanese-speaking ethnic group learn their mother tongue first; 4.5% of the Hakka-speaking ethnic group learn their mother tongue first, and 0% of the aboriginal peoples learn their mother tongue first.The results proves the statement and criteria on 'language vitality and endangerment' by UNESCO. The statement claims that only when members of a social group undertakes the task to revive, maintain and strengthen a mother tongue will that language survive and endure. Otherwise, support for language policies from legislation will not be effective enough.