Department of Chinese Studies

The Department of Chinese Studies welcomes students with the following interests and qualities:

1. Those who are interested in Chinese, Chinese literature, culture, and society.
2. Those who can analyze and solve problems by themselves and make steady progress in learning.
3. Those who want to work in a global field by utilizing the expertise they gain at university.

With its recent, remarkable economic development, China’s presence and power in the world is growing stronger. Accordingly, the importance of Chinese as a major international language is also increasing.

Since its inception, the Department of Chinese Studies has consistently emphasized practical Chinese education. As a first goal, we set the acquisition of Chinese that is useful in changing China’s social situation, economy, and culture. We also foster specialists who can be successful in international field.

Every year, we invite two exchange teachers from Beijing Language University in Beijing and Fudan University in Shanghai, and these native Chinese teachers concentrate on teaching pronunciation in small-group classes. In this course, students learn about the function of language itself (phonology and grammar), expression (literature or drama), and gain an awareness of the diversity of Chinese-speaking countries. We also aim to improve the problem-solving skills and critical thinking ability of students after they have developed a solid base in the  Chinese language.

Students from our Chinese Department often win prizes at highly competitive speech contests.

We believe that a useful Chinese education produces a steady flow of successful results.

Curriculum

The Department of Chinese Studies sets as its first educational goal the acquisition of Chinese. It aims to foster international specialists who can be involved in fields related to China from a global point of view, with high Chinese language skills, and a great deal of expertise.

In the compulsory Chinese major class, teaching is conducted at an elementary level with an emphasis on pronunciation. This gives confidence to students and encourage them to voluntarily and actively speak in Chinese. In the middle and upper-level classes, students cultivate sophisticated Chinese language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. And at the same time, they acquire culture and general knowledge on China. Additionally, with the English for Chinese major course, students improve their English skills alongside their Chinese language skills.