CIEE Intensive Chinese Language in Beijing, China

  China

• Beijing: 
Beijing

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 15 weeks: early September-mid-December; Spring 15 weeks: early February - late May; Academic Year 44 weeks: early September-late May

Description: The Intensive Chinese Language program is designed to enable high intermediate and advanced language students to increase their language proficiency and knowledge about China and Beijings important role in Chinese society. This is achieved through intensive Mandarin training, weekly interactions with Chinese peer tutors and other local Chinese, a local family visit, and group excursions. This program is ideal for independent students looking to explore Beijing and its local culture outside of classes.

Academic Program
The CIEE Study Center at Peking University was founded in 1980. The Intensive Chinese Language program offers students an opportunity to improve their fluency in spoken and written Mandarin Chinese through intensive language training. Students may also elect to take one course in English to supplement their understanding of China. Electives in English are offered in the areas of business, international relations, and history.

Academic Culture
Students attend language classes Monday through Friday for a total of twenty hours a week. Individual schedules vary depending on course levels. Typical classroom size for core language classes varies from 10-20 students. Elective classes typically have 20-40 students, depending on the topic.

Please note that a student's class level does not necessarily correspond with the years the student spent learning Chinese. Broad language levels at Peking University consist of multiple sub-levels to allow students with similar language proficiency to be grouped together in one class. Typically, nine sublevels exist for each broad language level. Therefore, course syllabi and content vary from course to course within each level at Peking University's International College of Chinese Language Studies.

The CIEE semester program ends in accordance with the typical U.S. academic calendar as early exams are arranged for CIEE and other U.S. students. However, the language classes at Peking University continue for one month past the exam date for CIEE and other U.S. students. Depending on the date of the Lunar New Year, there is approximately a two-month break between the end of the fall semester and the start of the spring semester during which academic year students may travel around China and other parts of Asia. In the middle of each semester, there is also a one-week break. Other than these occasions, students should limit travel to nearby destinations on weekends or reserve more extensive travel until after the program has ended.

Highlights:

• Hosted by the prestigious Peking Universityoffers largest selection of Chinese language electives in China; ideal for advanced and heritage language learners.
  
• 20 hours of in-class language coursework per week; one-on-one tutorials with Peking University peer tutors; target language meals.
  
• Four on-site educators trained in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language
  
• Excursions to such places as the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and a weekend trip to an area outside Beijing such as Xian or Hangzhou.

  Culture
  Cultural Activities and Field Trips
  Guided field trips are organized to historic and cultural sites in and around Beijing such as the Great Wall and Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, Liulichang cultural street, the Artist Colony, and various other temples. There are additional site visits to supplement the area studies course. Cultural activities may include the Beijing Opera, classical and popular music concerts, and an acrobatic performance. Although there are no formal community service activities on this program, volunteer opportunities can be arranged by CIEE staff. Classes in calligraphy, painting, taijiquan, stamp cutting, and traditional Chinese musical instruments are also offered.

  Cultural Reimbursement Program
  As a means of encouraging students to enrich their study abroad experience in Beijing, CIEE offers a Cultural Reimbursement Program, allowing students to be reimbursed for their participation in local cultural activities such as Chinese film screenings, theater performances, traditional music concerts, and visits to local museums and historic places of interest. Students are encouraged to invite peer tutors to such events when possible.

  Immersion
  Extended Weekend Excursion
  An extended weekend excursion to Xian, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shanxi Ping Yao, or Wu Tai Mountain allows students to learn about areas outside of Beijing and to utilize their Chinese language skills under the leadership of the Resident Director. The location is selected prior to each term and changes each semester. Several Chinese students accompany the group to help foster a Chinese speaking environment on the trip. The entire trip is conducted in Chinese and students are expected to maintain their language commitment during all program activities.

  Short-Term Homestay Experience
  Students may take part in an optional short-term homestay experience for two to three weeks. This allows CIEE students to experience both the student and Chinese family living environment while in Beijing. Each family provides a private room, Internet access, and laundry facilities.

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

  Professional Development Series
  The Professional Development Series is a unique opportunity offered to students who are interested in pursuing a career in China. Students interact with people and organizations at the center of political, economic, and cultural events shaping China's relationship with the United States and the world. This series is designed to introduce students to a range of career options in communications, business, education, and public service that employ the cross-cultural and linguistic skills they are acquiring at the CIEE Study Center and their home institutions.

  Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

  Subject Areas :
  Asian Studies Chinese Language Culture Intensive Language International Relations Literature Political Science/Politics

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

  Cost Include Description:
  The CIEE fees for 200910 include tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, fulltime leadership and support, housing, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, an extended weekend excursion, optional short-term homestay, pre-departure advising, comprehensive student handbook and a CIEE iNext travel card, which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

  Experience Required: yes

• Overall GPA 2.75
• 3-6 semesters of college-level Mandarin Chinese or equivalent
• 1 college-level Chinese area studies course recommended
• Note: Peking University will not accept students who are citizens of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Taiwan ROC, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau. This includes those who are U.S. permanent residents.
  Superior language students with near native fluency may not be appropriate for this program depending on their language background. Students arriving with superior language fluency that test above the advanced level classes at the Peking University Language Center will be asked to enroll in the CIEE Advanced Chinese Studies program, a direct enrollment program. These students should also be aware that their coursework runs on the Peking University academic calendar and not the CIEE program calendar, which means their coursework would extend for approximately one month beyond the standard semester or academic year program dates listed for the CIEE program.

  This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

  Typical Living Arrangements :

  Dormitory Group living

  Participants Travel to China Independently

  Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

  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. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

  Year Founded: 1947