Academics

Academic Program
Courses

Academic Program

Classes meet intensively for four hours each day and range in size from 10 to 15 students. The

Responding to a question in a language class.

drill sections are made up of four to seven students. Requirements for each course include daily quizzes, weekly tests, and final exams.

All students meet individually with their instructors and tutors on a daily basis for additional instruction and tutoring.

"The teachers were all fantastic.I came here barely able to string together a basic sentence, but after 2 months I’m confident that I could live alone in China without any problems"

Ten points of Columbia University credit are awarded upon successful completion of the full nine-week program. No credit is granted to students who do not complete the full program. The courses are equivalent to similarly numbered courses at Columbia University.

Courses

Based on their applications, students are provisionally placed in one of the courses below. Final placement occurs in Beijing.

Chinese S1103x-S1104y. Advanced beginning Chinese (first-year level).
Prerequisites: Basic conversational skills and the knowledge of at least 150 characters or one semester of college-level Chinese.
Texts: Jingua Chinese (Columbia University staff, published by Peking University Press) or Colloquial Chinese (P. C. Tung).

Introduces basic sentence structures and vocabulary in colloquial Chinese and focuses on developing basic skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The Pinyin system and traditional characters are used.

Chinese S1201x-S1202y. Intermediate Chinese (second-year level).
Prerequisites: One year of college-level Chinese or the equivalent.
Texts: Jingua Chinese (Columbia University staff, published by Peking University Press).

Consolidates and develops language skills used in everyday communication. Texts are presented in the form of a narrative that provides language situations, sentence patterns, word usage, and cultural information. Comprehensive exercises rely on highly structured practice in vocabulary, grammar, listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Semi-formal and literary styles are introduced in later lessons as transitions to more advanced levels of Chinese language study. The first half of the course emphasizes skills for conducting everyday tasks such as shopping, making telephone calls, seeing a doctor, or looking for a job. The second half focuses on aspects of Chinese culture: the social norms of politeness and gift giving, traditions such as intergenerational relationships and marriage ceremonies, customs such as special foods and holidays. While providing practical training, the course aims to raise the student's linguistic competence in preparation for advanced studies in Mandarin.

Chinese S4005x-S4006y. Advanced Chinese (third-year level).
Prerequisites: Two years of college-level Chinese or the equivalent

Texts: Jingua Chinese (Columbia University staff, published by Peking University Press). Introduces Chinese social values and attitudes, focusing on the rapid changes now taking place in China. Uses materials from Chinese newspapers and modern short stories to teach essential elements of semi-formal and formal writing. Reading and writing are routine tasks and oral discussion and debate are important components of the class, allowing students to integrate and improve their communication skills in Chinese.

Chinese S4015x-S4016y. Reading in modern Chinese (fourth-year level).
Prerequisites: At least three years of college-level Chinese or the equivalent.

Texts: articles by contemporary and modern writers; readings from current newspapers and magazines.

Furthers students' language skills in semi-formal, formal, or written styles through reading and writing, while improving fluency in oral communication. Weekly individual oral presentations and written reports are required.

Chinese S4017x-4018y. Advanced Reading in Modern Chinese (fifth-year level).
Prerequisites: At least four years of college level Chinese or the equivalent.

Texts: Advanced Readings of Chinese (Columbia University staff) This course aims to advance the student's linguistic competence through intensive and extensive readings of various genres including literature and news reports. Discussions focus on cultural as well as linguistic features. Assignments: oral presentations and written reports based on readings.

Note: The University reserves the right to withdraw or modify the courses of instruction or to change the instructors as may become necessary.