CIEE Intensive Chinese Language and Culture Program in Nanjing, China

  China

• All Other Areas in China: 
Nanjing

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 16 weeks: late August - mid December; Spring 16 weeks: early February - early June; Academic Year 44 weeks: late August - early June

Description: The goals of the Intensive Chinese Language and Culture program are to increase students' language proficiency and cross-cultural competency through close interaction with community life in Nanjing. This is achieved through an integrated curriculum of intensive Chinese language training in small classes, a unique area studies course taught in Chinese and English, and an oral interview research project with direct guidance from individual language instructors.

Academic Program
Established in 1982, the CIEE Study Center at Nanjing University focuses on developing Mandarin Chinese communication skills and exploring contemporary Chinese society and culture. The program offers an integrated curriculum that links the language classes, the area studies course on contemporary China, a one-week Chengdu Module, and field trips in and around Nanjing. Three-day weekends, a one week mid-semester independent travel break and, for academic year students, a two-month winter break, all provide valuable opportunities for travel around China reinforcing classroom learning and provides natural settings to speak Chinese on a regular basis.

Students with superior writing and speaking skills may be able to enroll in special language coursework at Nanjing University's Institute for International Students, including courses such as history, international relations, economics, and literature. Students with near native proficiency in Mandarin should be aware that their language ability may exceed even the most advanced courses offered by the Institute for International Students. They may choose to enroll directly in other courses in political science, Chinese literature, history, social science, or other liberal arts departments at Nanjing University.

Academic Culture
Students attend morning language classes Monday through Thursday. The language classes are small, consisting of six to ten students, and students are encouraged to participate actively.

The required CIEE area studies course and the field trips usually take place in the afternoon two or three times a week. The course is divided into three levels, tailored to the students language ability. Each level is composed of a combination of lectures, class discussions, group or individual work on research projects, fieldwork, presentations, reports, and a final paper.

Highlights:

•    Intensive language training, small class size, and peer tutor program; Chinese roommates or homestay with a local Chinese family; internships.
  
• Culture courses at intermediate and advanced levels, taught in Chinese; social research projects conducted in Chinese; opportunity for advanced language students to enroll directly in courses at Nanjing University.
  
• One-week module to Southwest China (fall) and Northwest China (spring); visits to memorial museums, temples, and various neighborhoods in Nanjing.

  Culture
  Cultural Activities and Field Trips
  Six trips are integrated into the academic curriculum reflecting the topics covered in the language and area studies courses. The city trips include visits to memorial museums, a home for the elderly, a cooking school, a population management training institute, and various neighborhoods, temples, and historical sites around Nanjing. Each semester Nanjing University sponsors a two-day trip to a nearby city such as Wuxi, Suzhou, or Hangzhou, or a rural area in Northern Jiangsu Province.

  Extracurricular classes in Chinese calligraphy and Taiji are held on weekday afternoons.

  Sichuan Module
  The program also includes a one-week module in Chengdu. The goal of the Chengdu, Sichuan Province module is to provide students with a unique opportunity to learn about the connections between folk customs, history, religion, traditional medicine, and the environment in a region with a rich cultural heritage and ethnic diversity. Sichuan Province, often referred to as The Heavenly Kingdom, offers students an unparalleled vantage point into the diverse societies, traditional religions, and natural landscapes of western China, against the backdrop of accelerated economic development in the region.

  As part of the module, site visits complement lectures by prominent scholars from Sichuan University. Students also visit Wolong Nature Reserve (the National Giant Panda Research Center) and Jiuzhai Gou, with its breathtaking views. In addition to these visits, students visit a typical Sichuanese teahouse, sample traditional Sichuanese cuisine, take part in a martial arts demonstration on Mt. Emei, and have time most evenings to explore Chengdu on their own.

  Cultural Reimbursement Program
  To encourage students to enrich their study abroad experiences in Nanjing, CIEE reimburses students for their participation in cultural activities such as Chinese film screenings, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to museums and historic places of interest, and martial arts or traditional Chinese musical instrument classes.

  Immersion
  Peer Language Tutors
  Program participants are paired with Nanjing University students for weekly one-on-one Chinese language tutorials. These tutorials provide students with extra conversation practice in Mandarin, help with homework assignments, and afford students an opportunity to see firsthand the lifestyle of their Chinese peers.

  Target Language Meals
  To encourage students to utilize their Chinese in an informal setting, CIEE plans bimonthly group meals for students with their language teachers, Chinese peer tutors, and roommates. Students attending the optional meals are required to speak only Chinese.

  Community Involvement
  Participants are introduced to local NGOs where they participate in volunteer activities. Students might work with an environmental protection group, an anti-Aids organization, or teach English in an elementary school for immigrant laborers children. These activities give students the opportunity to be more involved in local life and to understand contemporary China in depth with a broader perspective.

  Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

  Subject Areas :

  Asian Studies Chinese Language Independent Study Intensive Language Internship Programs

  Cost in US$: Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

  Cost Include Description:
  The CIEE fees for 200910 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, full-time program leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, a one-week module to either Southwest China (fall semester) or Northwest China (spring semester), a comprehensive student hand-book, pre-departure advising, visa fees and a CIEE iNext travel card, which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

  Experience Required: yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 2-6* semesters of college-level Mandarin Chinese or equivalent
• Students with near-native proficiency in Mandarin should contact CIEE prior to submitting their application
• 1 college-level Chinese area studies course recommended *Note: Students with more than six semesters of Chinese, or Third Year Chinese, may also be appropriate for this program. These students will likely take all of their coursework outlined in the Nanjing University Institute Courses for International Students course listing. However, superior language students with near native fluency may not be appropriate for this program depending on their language background. Contact CIEE for more information.

  This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

  Typical Living Arrangements :

  Dormitory Home-stays

  Participants Travel to China Independently

  Scholarships are Available. We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

  Application Process Involves:

  • Letters of Reference
  • Other
  • Transcript
  • Written Application

  CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

  Year Founded: 1947