Chinese language programs

Introduction to Chinese Language Programs & Graduate Programs of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

School for Overseas Educational Exchange (SOEE)

Sun Yat-sen University

Sun Yat-sen University, founded in 1924 by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, is a renowned university with international fame and one of the key universities under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education in the People’s Republic of China. It is regarded as the top institution of higher learning in South China.

The School for Overseas Educational Exchange (SOEE) is located on the South Campus, one of the four campuses of the University along the south bank of the Pearl River in Guangzhou. The picturesque campus sceneries and advanced facilities make it an ideal place for study.

The University is one of the ten earliest colleges and universities in China which set up the educational institutions for teaching Chinese as a foreign language (CFL), and is also one of the earliest testing centers for Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK).

For more than 20 years since its establishment in 1981, the Department of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language in SOEE (formerly the Center for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language) has trained more than 6,000 international students ranging from Chinese language trainees to students applying for bachelor, master and doctoral degrees.

The School’s high caliber teaching staff with rich experiences in Chinese language teaching and the outstanding education quality have won the University a prestigious position in the field of CFL teaching and training in South China and across the nation.

Currently, the number of students studying Chinese in SOEE maintains around 1,000 each year. The students are from more than 60 countries.

I. Chinese (as a Foreign Language) Undergraduate Program

High school graduates are admitted to this Program. The length of study is 4 years (may be extended to 8 years at longest). Graduation is approved upon the student’s completion of required credits, the thesis on Chinese language and passing Band 8 of HSK. The students who meet these requirements are awarded with the degree of B.A.

Tuition: RMB 18,200 yuan/year
Application fee: RMB 400 yuan
Teaching Materials: according to the book price

II. General Chinese (Mandarin) Training Courses

The Courses last from six months to three years. Students are placed into classes of different levels according to their proficiency in Chinese upon enrollment. The classes are divided into three levels: elementary, intermediary, and advanced ones.

The elementary class concentrates on teaching students basic Chinese knowledge and training their language skills.

The intermediary class focuses on further developing students’ reading and writing skills while enhancing their basic Chinese knowledge.

The advanced class emphases on training students’ overall Chinese language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing) and helping students gain an insight into Chinese culture and society.

If a student transfers to the CFL Undergraduate Program, his/her scores accredited from the training courses and relevant learning experiences will be approved (by the School’s confirmation) and passed onto the recording of the total credits for the undergraduate program.
In general, after one to two years' training in these language programs, the students would be enabled to attend the classes instructed in normal speed Chinese for the native Chinese students.
The students whose Chinese proficiency meet the HSK test requirement (HSK Band 3 for natural science students and HSK Band 6 for liberal arts students) and other related conditions can be recommended by the School to conduct undergraduate study in other schools or departments.

Tuition: RMB 17,400 yuan/year
Application fee: RMB 400 yuan
Teaching Materials: according to the book price

III. Cantonese Training Courses

Cantonese training courses are conducted in small classes. The courses are instructed in Mandarin and the students are required to have a basic command of Mandarin.

Tuition: RMB 17,400 yuan/year
Application fee: RMB 400 yuan
Teaching Materials: according to the book price

IV. Short--term Chinese Training Program

The training program lasts from 1 week to 4 weeks according to trainees’ needs and requirements. Apart from language training, this program would usually arrange varied cultural activities and traveling upon students’ needs. Group applications are welcome all the year round.

Tuition: RMB 1,100 yuan / 1 week
RBM 1,950 yuan/ 2 weeks
RMB 2,800 yuan / 3 weeks
RMB 3,300 yuan / 4 weeks
Application fee: RMB 400 yuan
Teaching Materials: according to the book price
Traveling fee: aacording to specific cultural activities and traveling

V. CFL Teacher Training Program (short-term)

If foreign colleges and universities or other institutions hold short-term CFL teacher training programs, the Department of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language of SOEE can assign teachers abroad to instruct courses. Expenses are to be decided.

SOEE also accepts CFL teachers from other countries to attend the short-term teacher training programs held in the School. The Department would provide tailored programs and courses to group trainees. Expenses are to be decided.

VI. M.A. & Ph.D. Programs of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language

The length of study for M.A. Program is generally 2 years and for Ph.D. Program 3 years. The Programs are oriented towards the research on CFL teaching and learning and second language acquisition. Students enrolled in these Programs are required to take courses not only on linguistic theories and Chinese language studies, but also on CFL methodologies, particularly the up- to- date second language acquisition theories and research methods which are closely related with psychology and education. The students are also required to take course on computer science.

All international students who are interested in Chinese language studies and CFL teaching are welcome to apply for the Programs. For any master degree program applicant, a B. A. is a prerequisite and for any doctoral degree program applicant, an M. A. is a prerequisite.

Tuition:
M.A. student: RMB 21,600 yuan / year
Doctoral student: RMB 25,600 yuan / year
Application fee: RMB 940 yuan, including examination fee
Teaching Materials: according to book price

Application Deadline

The University adopts a two-semester system with the new school year beginning in early September. The first semester usually lasts from early September to mid January the next year and the second semester from late February to mid July. The application deadlines for the programs in SOEE are as follows:
CFL Undergraduate Program: by 31 May
Graduate Program: by 30 December
General Chinese(Mandarin and Cantonese) Training Course: by 31 May or 5 December
Application form can be downloaded from the University website (English website).

Accommodation

For long—term students (referring to those registered to study for at least one semester):
RMB1,050 yuan/per person/month (double room)
RMB1,650 yuan/per month (single room )

For short—term students:
RMB 65 yuan /per person/day (double room )
RMB 110 yuan/per day (single room )

The above accommodation fees are the room prices of the International Student Hall on the South Campus. Each room in the Hall has independent bathroom, internet connection plug, telephone and air-conditioner. Inside the Hall, there are laundry rooms, gyms, TV rooms and reading rooms.

Catering Fees

RMB 15 to 40 yuan /per person / day (eating at the international students dining hall or other students dining halls on campus)

RMB 100 yuan / per person / day (for short-term students who dine as a group)

Note:The above-mentioned rates are marked in RMB. As of early 2006, the estimated exchange rate between RMB and the US dollar is RMB8 yuan = US$1.

Contact

School for Overseas Educational Exchange
Sun Yat-sen University
135 Xinguangxi Road, Guangzhou, China 510275
Tel: 0086-20-84110819, 0086-20-84036465
Fax 0086-20-84115621
E-mail: tanjx@mail.sysu.edu.cn
yangdch@mail.sysu.edu.cn
Website: http://soee.sysu.edu.cn/