Regular Program

The CLC offers regular Mandarin Chinese courses four terms a year. The Spring, Summer, and Fall terms each last 12 weeks with a total of 180 teaching hours; for the Winter term, we provide a 10-week course with 150 teaching hours. Students are expected to attend all 15 class hours each week.
All CLC classes are divided into beginning, low-intermediate, intermediate, and advanced levels. Students in each level are further grouped into low, medium and high classes according to their individual Chinese language proficiency. Students are assigned to different class times according to the result of the placement test and/or the student's language proficiency. Class times range from 08:10-11:00, 12:10-15:00 or 15:10-18:00 depending on the level make-up and availability of the teaching staff.
In addition to regular Mandarin Chinese courses, the CLC also offers Free Courses and Individual Courses .

Textbook Chart

Basic Level
The beginning level class is designed for total beginners of Mandarin. Students will study Bopomofo symbols, the Hanyu Pinyin system, and the five tones of Mandarin, as well as traditional character writing, and daily conversation. After two to three terms in the beginning level, students are expected to be able recognize and utilize at least 700-900 vocabulary words, as well as how to use Chinese dictionary properly. Beginning level class paves an important foundation for students to enter into Intermediate level.

Intermediate Level
The Intermediate level class is the ideal program for those who have finished the basic level or the equivalent. Students in this level will study syntax with more advanced grammar usage in order to prepare for the High-Intermediate level class. After finishing this level, students are expected to be able to read and write 1400-1800 vocabulary words, and comprehend simple articles in Mandarin, as well as be capable of communicating with native Mandarin speakers.

High-Intermediate Level
The High-Intermediate level is suitable for those who have finished the Intermediate level or have attained a similar level of proficiency in Mandarin. This level is designed to enhance students’ listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, as well as strengthen their understanding of vocabulary and how to better apply this knowledge. After finishing this class, students should be able to utilize 2500-3000 vocabulary words, speak with native Mandarin speakers clearly and fluently, read literary works, newspaper and magazines, and comprehend TV and radio programs in Mandarin with few difficulties.

Advanced Level
The Advanced level class is targeted at those who have finished the High-Intermediate level or have similar Mandarin proficiency. This level is designed to refine and polish students’ concepts and understanding of Mandarin and the culture behind it. After finishing this level, not only can students fully understand the language, they should also be able to appreciate classical Chinese literature, such as poems, essays and academic papers. They should also have acquired the ability to read various subjects in Mandarin, such as art, history, culture or business, freely, according to their interests. More over, they should able adapt to different writings styles and types, as well as deliver public speeches, or even participate in debates. Students having finished this level should be capable of utilizing 5,000-8,000 vocabulary words. They should also be able to acquire the basic skills needed to read and comprehend traditional Chinese writing.

Level Index