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Chinese Language

GENERAL INFORMATION
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The Country and its People

China is the most populous nation in the world. With around 1.2 billion people living in a vast land stretching approximately 9.6 million square kilometres, its history dates back to the 21st century BC. China is also a multi-ethnic society consisting of 56 ethnic groups with a rich heritage of cultural diversity. In recent years, China has become one of the fastest-growing trading giants in the world. Its economic expansion has been dramatic.

Career Prospects

With a continuous and massive economic boom in China, Modern Standard Chinese has become the most important language used in the Asia-Pacific region. Nowadays university graduates with business and Chinese language skills combined are in great demand both in Australia and overseas. Graduates with Chinese are also sought in exporting and importing businesses, international banking, tourism, teaching, multinational corporations, and in the public service in areas such as foreign affairs, defence, trade and immigration.

The Language

Chinese is used by more people in the world than any other language. The official language used throughout China is Putonghua (Modern Standard Chinese; also sometimes referred to as ‘Mandarin’). Putonghua is also one of the working languages of the United Nations. It is not only spoken in the People's Republic of China, Taiwan and Singapore but also used in Southeast Asian countries and other parts of the world where Chinese-speaking communities are present. Chinese is a fascinating language to study. The spoken language has a simple structure, and it uses tones to give different meanings to a word. Chinese character writing is governed by rules which can be easily learned: it is challenging but rewarding. Learning the language is a window into understanding Chinese culture and the Chinese way of life.


LEARN CHINESE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE AT UNE


Chinese, a major world language, is taught in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. The School is the only one in Australia to offer a full Chinese programme externally (by distance education) to complement its internal classes. We cater for a range of proficiency levels from complete beginners to native speakers. All units offered are available in external mode, and most of those contain optional online components. Units at 100 and 200 level are also taught internally on campus at Armidale. External students study the same materials as internal ones, submit the same assignments and sit the same exams. We are highly experienced in dealing with both categories of student and we welcome all enquiries.

Who studies Chinese at UNE?

Students learning Chinese at UNE come from a wide range of backgrounds and have many reasons for learning Chinese. The flexibility of our programmes allow you to fit your study in with your work and family commitments wherever you are based in the world. You may identify with some of the motivations below, or you may have your own reasons for wanting to study Chinese:

  • "I just want to try out another language"
  • "I want to find out more about a great Asian culture"
  • "I plan to work in business or trade with China, eventually."
  • "I’ve visited China before, and the next time I go I want to talk to people in their own language."
  • "I’m an Australian-born Chinese and I want to learn more about my heritage language."
  • "I’m teaching English in China, and I’d like a structure to help me learn Chinese and gain an Australian qualification for it while I’m here."
  • "I previously studied some Chinese at another university and now I’d like to continue to study part-time at an advanced level."
  • "I have a Chinese partner and I want to communicate better with my in-laws!"
  • " I learned some Chinese in my childhood in south-east Asia, and I’d like to learn more now."
  • "Actually, I come from mainland China. I’m studying at UNE, and I’d like to take some advanced units in Chinese and translation as a part of my UNE degree."
  • "I’m studying commerce (or law, or business) and I’d like to add value to my degree by gaining proficiency in Chinese as well."
  • "I’m a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine."
  • "I’m a flight attendant studying towards a language badge."
  • "I work in immigration or social services with the Chinese community in Australia."
  • "I’d like to work in Australian tourism and hospitality, where the numbers of incoming tourists from China are growing rapidly."
  • "I’m a schoolteacher, and I want to be able to teach Chinese."
  • "I do business with China and I’d like to be able to talk to my counterparts in Chinese some of the time."


Which program should I enrol in?

Chinese can be included in the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Languages and International Business, and combined degrees such as BA/BTeach, BA/BCom, BA/LLB and in the MA by coursework. It is also available in the Diploma in Modern Languages, a 48 credit stand-alone award concentrating on one language, and as part of the Graduate Diploma in Humanities. In-country study programmes are also available.

What opportunities are there for study in China?

A period of intense language study in China will bring profound insights into Chinese language, society and culture. Therefore we encourage you to consider studying in China while enrolled at UNE. There are opportunities for you to study in China for periods of 6 weeks, one semester or two semesters, and credit that study towards your UNE degree. UNE has links with various Chinese universities including Shaanxi Normal University in Xi'an, and Nankai University in Tianjin. Scholarships are sometimes available for students to study in-country.