When choosing a Chinese curriculum, consider the dialect/language, subject breadth, and language options. It’s best to study in your mother tongue or a fluent language. Research the areas of study offered and the quality of research materials available at each school.
The university curriculum in Chinese, rather than primary or secondary education, is the type typically offered in non-Asian countries. Many American universities, in addition to those in Hong Kong and Taiwan, are known for their Chinese study programs. When choosing the best Chinese curriculum for you, it’s a good idea to compare available research materials, subject breadth and language options at each school you are considering.
The first decision to make is which dialect or language to choose, as Chinese itself is not technically a language. There are many different Chinese dialects and languages, with Mandarin and Cantonese being the two main ones. Mandarin is a language, while Cantonese is a dialect. Some schools offer curricula in both, while others use only one. You should carefully research whether Cantonese, Mandarin or both would work best for you, depending on your career plans after university.
If Mandarin or Cantonese is not your first language or dialect, the best curriculum for you is material taught in your mother tongue or one of the languages in which you are extremely fluent. College-level courses are often quite challenging, especially for first-year students who are still getting used to campus routines. If a language barrier prevents you from understanding curriculum lessons, chances are you won’t get the best results and grades from the course. Universities in China especially may recommend that students have at least one year of experience with Cantonese or Mandarin before enrolling in Chinese studies.
You should carefully examine the different areas of study included in the Chinese curriculum offered by each school. Your best school curricula are courses you have a passionate interest in as well as good coursework skills. For example, some Chinese study schools focus on politics; if that’s your favorite subject, it’s worth researching each school offering that concentration to find the best fit for you.
While many universities that feature China-oriented studies offer a broad range of Chinese curricula, such as law, religion, international business and history, others have a more focused range of subjects. Harvard, the American university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is known for its emphasis on China-US relations. The Hong Kong University of China School of Language and Literature is known for offering degree programs in Chinese curriculum arts. The National Taiwan University in Taipei City, Taiwan generally offers a variety of degree programs in Chinese, but is especially known for science, medicine, law, and engineering.
Once you’ve narrowed down your school’s options for the best Chinese curriculum for your needs and interests, compare the amount of quality research materials available in your area of study. Some school libraries may only have several shelves of Asian materials, while others have more extensive collections. For example, the Oakland Campus of the University of Pittsburgh in the United States is known for its East Asia Library, with a large collection of Chinese study materials.
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