Four different levels of Mandarin language study are offered from beginner level to lower advanced level Mandarin. Classes are organized according to the participants’ actual levels of Chinese language. The 4-week academic program consists of 4 hours of Mandarin class a day, 5 days a week for a total of 80 hours in 4 weeks. Five semester credits are recommended for this course. Students are in class with other international students for this course.
An activity-based Chinese Cultural History Studies course is also available consisting of a weekly class and weekly cultural activity. Participation in the Shanghai orientation and Xian excursion will also form part of this course. This class is provided exclusively for AIFS students, taught by a BLCU Professor.
The AIFS fee includes the use of computer facilities with Internet/e-mail access at the University.
Attendance at lectures is mandatory.
Transcripts are issued by Beijing Language and Culture University.
| Mandarin language program | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Chinese 101 (5) |
| Course Title: | Mandarin Chinese for Beginners |
| Course Description: | |
| For students who have no prior experience in learning Chinese or have learned PinYin and mastered a small vocabulary, but cannot express in fluent and complete sentences. It covers useful expressions, situational conversations and basic sentence structure. Students also learn to recognize simple Chinese characters. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Chinese 201 (5) |
| Course Title: | Mandarin Chinese - Lower Intermediate Level |
| Course Description: | |
| This course is for students with a vocabulary of about one thousand Chinese words, who know the basic Chinese grammar rules and commonly used sentence patterns and can participate in continuous conversation related to daily topics and are able to talk in simple passages. Students expand their knowledge of vocabulary, expressions, grammar and Chinese characters. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Chinese 301 (5) |
| Course Title: | Mandarin Chinese - Upper Intermediate Level |
| Course Description: | |
| This course is for students with a vocabulary of about two thousand words, who are able to retell longer passages and can conduct conversations about common topics in relatively well-organized paragraphs. The focus is on increasing vocabulary and expression as well as further mastery of grammar and Chinese characters. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | Chinese 401 (5) |
| Course Title: | Mandarin Chinese - Lower Advanced Level |
| Course Description: | |
| This course is for students who can carry on discussions on daily topics at normal speed with the right intonation, proper diction and coherent sentences and demonstrate creativity and flexibility in using the language and wish to take their competencies to a higher level. | |
| Course Code and Credits: | History/Sociology 303 (2) |
| Course Title: | Chinese Cultural History Studies |
| Course Description: | |
| This course provides an overview of the many facets of Chinese life including education, religion, art, codes of behavior, the history and culture of Beijing. This activity-based course is a combination of lectures and historical and cultural visits including Shanghai and Xian excursions. | |