Knowledge of a language spoken
by billions of people worldwide, a language that is growing in
importance at the same speed that China itself is growing in
importance in world affairs.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
WHY LEARN MANDARIN?
Learning Mandarin will be of
benefit to you both during your life in China and afterwards. Within the
country, very few people outside the education system speak English, and
while travelling around China there are frequent opportunities to strike
up conversations with people who are as curious about you as you are
about them! Learning Mandarin will enable to you speak with these
people, thus enriching your time here immeasurably, as you find out
things about the culture and the way of life that someone without
language skills simply would not have access to.
On a larger scale, Mandarin is one of the 5 major UN Languages, and is
the most widely spoken language in the world. One out of five people in
the world speaks Chinese as their native language! China is changing
faster than just about any other place on Earth; even a short stay here
will demonstrate this fact. The recent entry into the WTO has only
accelerated this trend.
In 1997,
as the rest of Asia slid into depression, China was forging a path forwards
and has continued to develop steadily, embracing world trade in a way that
few had predicted. As a result of all this change, it is predicted that
China will continue to grow and become a major player in world affairs and
business in the coming few years. The ability to speak Mandarin will be of
great benefit to anyone hoping to participate in affairs of business or
culture on the world stage...
It's
also a really fun language to learn, and even more fun to master, as
it's so very different to so many Western languages. With Mandarin, not only
will you be able to impress the people of China, but probably your family
and friends back home too.
Whatever
your circumstances, the opportunity to learn more about this ancient and
fascinating culture from an insider’s perspective is one not to be missed!
ABOUT YOUR COURSE
Yantai University, where the
course is based, is located 10 minutes from the city centre
by bus. The University area is a vibrant and buzzing part of town, as it is home
to a great many students, both Chinese and from elsewhere in the world. The
building itself faces long stretches of beach on one side and Shandong’s
stunning mountainous landscapes on the other. There are many small shops and
street stalls, a busy market and a selection of Chinese and Korean restaurants
running along the coast. You will live on Yantai
University campus and mixing with thousands of Chinese students, as well as
students from other parts of the world.
The Mandarin Course for foreign students has been running at Yantai
University for 15 years. A typical class size is 25 students, and the
teaching staff are professors or lecturers who are accredited and
experienced in teaching Mandarin to foreign students. The course is
designed to immerse international students in the Chinese language and
culture through compulsory classes, conversation with native speakers
and optional electives. All areas of the language will be covered in
your course: reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar,
phonetics and vocabulary. These will be taught via a variety of
topics which will relate to aspects of Chinese culture, society and
history.
Each semester there are
around 100 International Students enrolled on the course at various
levels. Many of these students are from Korea and Japan, and there are
also often students from the UK, France and the USA. This project will
give you the opportunity to meet people from a variety of different
cultures; not just from China, but from all over the world!
Some of the courses currently on offer include:
Spoken Chinese, Chinese Comprehension (Pinyin,
Grammar and Writing), Reading, Chinese Listening Comprehension
Course Length:
You can choose to do a length of course that suits you, i.e.:
The minimum course time is 4 weeks. We will discuss your preferred course length
with you on application. There are two semesters every year:
You can begin your course at either of these times, regardless of how long you
wish to stay. However, the University can not be flexible with start dates
- you must begin at either of these times.
Levels of study & course credits:
Classes are available at various levels, so no matter what your
level of Mandarin is, there will be a class to suit you. We can offer
beginner, elementary, intermediate or advanced classes. Around 50%
of the students on the course are Beginners.
The University will assess your level
of competency in the language when you arrive and will allocate you
accordingly. Regardless of how long your
course lasts, you will obtain a certificate at the end of your study
time.
Each semester you will also obtain
around 20 credits, and these can often be credited to your university course in
your home country. [If you
wish to take advantage of this option, you must check that your university will
recognise this qualification before you leave, as it does vary between
institutions.
Daily Schedule:
The course takes place from Monday to Friday, running from approximately
8am to 3:40pm. You will have homework in the evenings, in much the same
way as you would during a similar course in most countries, and you will
be expected to complete this to the deadline set by your teachers. Your
weekends will be free and this will allow some time for relaxing,
travelling and sightseeing
Why Choose Yantai?
 |
If you want an intensive course
that will give you a real qualification and/or University points |
|
|
If you want to live in "Real
China", out of the way of Western Influence |
|
|
If you can commit to set start
and finish dates |
|
|
If you'd like to live and mix
with students from around Asia and the world in a University
environment. |
"A typical day would be- go to class at 8
until 11.40 and, depending on the day, studying reading & writing,
spoken Chinese, listening and/or comprehension. The teachers are all
really qualified. I was in a Korean class where the teachers only taught
in Chinese and although that may sound a bit of a challenge, which it is
at first, it helps you improve 10x faster and you get to mix with
different cultures more and make some cool friends. Once you arrive here
you are looked after well by the university and in fact I am coming back
next year to continue studying Chinese for a further 4 years to obtain a
degree. I think that about describes how good it is..."
Louis Potter
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