No previous experience studying Chinese language is necessary. However, you are required to study Chinese (in the standard Mandarin dialect), unless you can demonstrate fluency. The Beijing Center offers three different levels of Chinese language: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. In addition, you may choose to study at either a Standard or Intensive Track.

Standard Track courses meet three times a week for 90 minutes per class and are worth 3 credits. Intensive Track courses meet four times a week for 150 minutes per class and are worth 6 credits. Intensive Track courses combine two 3-credit courses in one semester, thus students receive two separate grades tied to their performance on each part of the course.

Tutors

Studying Chinese is difficult. To assist in your study, The Beijing Center provides you with a Chinese language tutor to meet with for an hour the evening before each Chinese language class. Working together with your tutor will allow you to make substantial progress in the study of Chinese and increase your cultural understanding of China and its peoples.