Chinese in Beijing

Unique study opportunities

• Earn the equivalent of a full year or more of Chinese language in a single semester.
• Receive supplemental help from a Chinese language tutor.
• Gain a deeper understanding of Chinese society, culture, and politics.
• Prepare for an international career by learning Chinese for business during the fall term.

Language

Chinese Language Study: Required

With the exception of one or two English-taught courses for international students, Chinese language study is the focus of this program. You’ll enroll in courses at your language level that focus on reading, writing, listening, and conversation in simplified standard Mandarin, Putonghua.

Courses and Credit

Requirements While Abroad

Current Program Courses

Chinese Language Study

This program offers standard Chinese language classes through the International College for Chinese Language Studies (Hanyu Xueyuan). Classes are designed to improve spoken and written Chinese and teach Chinese culture and society. You have the option of taking only two courses, one in written Chinese (hanyu ke), and one in oral-aural Chinese (kouyuke), for a variable number of hours per week depending on the level. You may also enroll in Hanyu Xueyuan elective courses. 

The following courses are usually offered at various levels through the Hanyu Xueyuan.

• Spoken Chinese: Numerous levels from beginning to advanced; stresses practical and elevated fluency; classroom teaching is supplemented by experiential learning assignments. 
• Written Chinese: Numerous levels from beginning to advanced; emphasis on fluency in reading contemporary materials. 
• Newspaper Chinese: Selected readings on contemporary issues; intermediate and advanced levels. 
• Modern Literature (1911 to 1949): Surveys and select readings. 
• Contemporary Literature (1949 to present): Emphasis on short stories. 
• Classical Chinese: Selected readings in literature from the pre-Qin period (about 200 BCE) to the 19th century, as well as the study of phonological and grammatical systems of classical and literary Chinese. 
• History of Chinese Literature: For literature majors; course divided into ancient, modern, and contemporary periods.
• Selected Readings in Chinese Literature: Parallel course to the History of Chinese Literature; includes important literary works; emphasis on comprehension of texts with a brief account of authorship, as well as the historical and social background of the works.

Additional courses may be available.

Coursework in English

A limited number of courses taught in English are available during the fall term. The majority of the courses are from the "On-China Series." Many of these courses are lower division as they are intended to introduce international students to various aspects of China.

Catalogs and resources

Summer

• UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
• Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Fall

• PKU Chinese language study: View the university’s language course options for this program.
• On China course series: Explore course options available in English.
• UCEAP Course Catalog: See a list of courses students have taken on this program. This is not a current representation of course offerings on this program. Reference the above links to review recent course offerings. 
• Campus Credit Abroad: Learn the types of credit (major, minor, general education, elective) students from your campus received at this location.

Academic culture

Instruction in this program is intensive. Class size average is between 10 and 20 students, though some classes may be even smaller. Instructors take attendance. The number of actual class hours varies depending on the specific courses, but is typically four hours per day. Chinese tutors provide individual assistance and supplement classroom instruction.

Grades

You will earn direct UC credit and grades for all coursework. Grades for the summer program are typically available in late September; grades for the fall program are typically available in late February.

Exams

Although practices vary, you can expert one midterm exam and one final exam or written report (frequent short quizzes are rare). Homework may or may not be graded, but missed or incomplete homework is penalized. Exams in the language curriculum are often made up by staff, not necessarily in close consultation with the teacher. Tests are standardized for each level, so they may not always cover material exactly as it was provided in class. It’s uncommon for students to question instructors about grades in China. If you have a question or concern about test scores or grades, the UCEAP Study Center will be a resource for you.