Study Abroad in China: Intensive Chinese Language in Beijing – Academics

Beijing Curriculum: How the Academics Fit Together

In this program, students eat, sleep and breathe in Chinese.

Students take an intensive academic curriculum comprised entirely of Chinese language classes. This approach ensures that they tackle Chinese language from every angle:

• Introduction: lecture classes present new material.
• Reinforcement: drill classes emphasize accurate usage.
• Troubleshooting: one-on-one classes target individual errors.
• Mastery: discussion classes call for students to use their new language skills in real conversation.

Many Chinese language classes are linked by theme. A lecture class might introduce vocabulary about money matters. Discussion class might feature a debate about currency manipulation. Practicum class might take students to a bank to interview employees.

The exact combination of Chinese language classes depends on the student’s language level and term. Semester students in upper levels choose an elective—Chinese newspaper, business or literature—in order to start specializing their language skills.

Chinese practice doesn’t end when the bell rings. Students abide by a full-time Chinese language pledge. And Chinese roommates reinforce language learning by sharing in the program with students. They organize round table discussions, help with homework and serve as resources in the local language and culture.

The resulting curriculum functions as a unit in which each piece of the whole works towards one common goal: communicative competence in Chinese.

Beijing Fall & Spring Academic Requirements

All students enroll in intensive Chinese language classes. Classes are grouped according to level and linked together by themes. Students quickly adjust to the rhythm of the curriculum: new text introduced in the mornings, one-on-one practice in the afternoons, quizzes on Fridays. Heavy class time is balanced by language practica—assignments that get students out the door and speaking Chinese with locals.

Beginning and intermediate students take one comprehensive core course. The course includes group, one-on-one and one-on-two Chinese language classes. Core course: 280 total hours. 17 recommended credits.

Pre-advanced students take one core course and one elective. The core course includes group and one-on-one Chinese language classes. Elective choices are Chinese literature, business and newspaper. Core course: 224 total hours, 14 recommended credits. Elective: 56 total hours, 3 recommended credits.

Advanced students take one core course, Classical Chinese and one elective. The core course includes group and one-on-one Chinese language classes. Elective choices are Chinese literature, business and newspaper. Core: 168 to 182 total hours. 12 to 13 recommended credits. Classical Chinese: 42 to 56 total hours. 2 to 3 recommended credits. Elective: 56 total hours. 3 recommended credits.

View all course options and download syllabi.

Beijing Summer Academic Requirements

All students enroll in intensive Chinese language classes. Some classes are for small groups. Some are one-on-one conversation sessions. Classes are grouped according to level and linked together into one comprehensive course. Students cover one year of Chinese language study in eight weeks. Language activities in Beijing ensure that students don’t spend their entire summer in the classroom. Practicing Chinese with locals does wonders for language skills. 160 total hours. 8 recommended credits.

View all course options and download syllabi.

Beijing January Term Academic Requirements

All students enroll in intensive Chinese language classes. Classes are grouped according to level and linked together into one comprehensive course. Classes revolve around weekly themes, like Chinese holiday customs or political reform. Assignments take students to sites around Beijing to practice Chinese with locals. Skits and performances with Chinese roommates keep the academics lively. Some students enroll in JanTerm only. Many use JanTerm as a warm-up to the spring term that follows. JanTerm is open to students with at least three terms of previous Chinese language study. 100 total hours. 5 recommended credits.

View all course options and download syllabi.

Classroom Matters

Prerequisites

There is no language prerequisite for the fall, spring and summer terms. Students of all Chinese language levels are welcome, including beginners and heritage learners.

The January Term is open to students with at least three terms of previous Chinese language study.

Language Class Placement

Chinese language class placement is determined by:

• The results of a placement exam taken upon arrival in Beijing.
• The student’s transcripts.
• The student’s Chinese language ability as demonstrated in the application.

Adjustments to placements are made during the first week of classes.

Chinese Language Pledge

The more you practice, the more you improve. All students uphold a full-time Chinese language pledge (even beginners!). Students tell us that the language pledge is challenging and frustrating at first, but well worth it in the end.

Because the language pledge depends on the commitment of the students, CET accepts only those who are excited for the challenge.

Academic Rigor

Students take 20 to 25 class hours per week, depending on the term. They can expect to spend at least one hour preparing for every hour spent in class. This curriculum, coupled with the program’s Chinese language pledge, results in an intense academic experience.

How do students survive? First, they prepare themselves before departure for this challenge. Second, they soon discover language learners’ fuel: the thrill of discovering that you can suddenly express in Chinese an idea that, just last week, was out of reach.

Heritage Learners

Every term, this program welcomes students who have acquired some Chinese language (usually speaking skills) from their home environment. In the past, CET has accommodated these students with character-writing tutorials. These tutorials, coupled with the regular CET curriculum, help students catch their writing skills up with their speaking skills.

Outside the Classroom

One-Day Academic Excursions (Fall & Spring)

The program wants students to uncover every corner of Beijing—walk down every hutong (alley), discover every bus route, visit every noodle shop.

To help conjure each student’s inner explorer, the program arranges day trips to sites that are difficult for students to visit on their own. Past students have:

• Perused local art galleries and interviewed artists.
• Explored a remote Buddhist temple complex.
• Soaked in hot springs unknown to foreigners.

Overnight Academic Excursions (Fall & Spring)

Twice each fall and spring, students depart Beijing and venture on an overnight excursion together.

• The Historic Trip. This excursion takes students to a nearby city of historical significance, like Xi’an, Datong, Chengde or Pingyao. Part of the experience is the getting there. Students travel as locals do—by hard-sleeper train to simple, but comfortable, hotels.
• The Adventure Trip. Past trips have taken students camping on the Great Wall, to the grasslands of Inner Mongolia, or on a retreat to a rural village where they spent the night in village homes.

Extracurricular Classes (Fall & Spring)

Extracurricular classes are arranged according to student interest. Recent classes have included Chinese cooking, painting, calligraphy, music martial arts and chess.

Activities & Excursions (Summer)

During the summer term, most activities are language-based. They provide fun ways to explore Beijing while working in some Chinese language practice.

For a midsummer break, the program arranges one overnight weekend trip to a nearby city.

Activities (January Term)

The January Term activities are language-based and local. Students might:

• Learn to play mah-jong.
• Cook dumplings.
• Star in a skit night.