Chinese Language Class (spring semester)

At the beginning of the semester before class commences the foreign office staff will group you into a beginners Chinese language class, this class of apporximatey 20 students will become your family away from home. The students will come from all over the worl and some will have more knowledge of Chinese than you do so don't be too threatened on the first day of class.
The first day of class will be a little daunting. The teachers are all Chinese and they are forbidden to use English when addressing you, they only speak in Chinese. If on the first day of class you feel lost and confused, DON'T WORRY, It is guarenteed that the majority of the class will feel exactly the same way.

There are four language classes that you will have to attend. The include listening, reading, writing and conversation. For each class you will have to buy the designated text books.

listening = 32 RMB, 1 text
reading = 65 RMB, 1 text
writing = 36 RMB, 1 text and writing booklet
conversation = 75 RMB, 2 texts
A total cost of 208 RMB

Class begins at 8am every weekday morning and goes until 12:20 most days, giving you the afternoon to study or explore the city. Semester starting and finishing dates are different to that most universities.

The class and semster schedule is as follows:
Semester: March-June
It is reccommended that you be there to sign up for class one week prior to the commencement date.
1st March class begins
1st May-7th May Chinese public holiday (no class)
Mid-term exams are around the 25th until the 28th of March
Final examinations begin towards the end of june until the 1st of July
Semester ends 1st July
Mid Term examinations will count for 30% of your final mark and the final examination will account for the other 70%. To pass each subject you have to get at least 60% in the final examination as well as attend a signifiacnt amount of classes, so that means no slacking off!

The language classes in the first few weeks may seem to be moving slow as you are continuously made to revise the Chinese alphabet and pronunciation of tones, however, the classes will speed up rapidly and it becomes very easy to fall behind the rest of the class. A great way to make a new friend and to keep up to speed is by asking the foreign students office to set you up with a tutor. They are basically a study partner as they themselves want you to help them with their English. You can arrange to meet with them as often as you wish, most Chinese students will jump to the chance of extra study sessions!

During the semester the foreign office organises outings and sporting events for your class and other foreign students to keep your mind refreshed and your time in China memerable. Some of these evensts include Jump rope competitions, tug-a-war competitions, class picnics and trips to special plays or events. The foreign sector of the univiserity allocates a small amount of money to each student for these events. Once this money runs out you may have to pay for excursions out of your own money, however it is never an expensive occasion