Survey of short-term classes

The short-term class is a form Chinese universities use to receive foreigners to study in China. Applicants to study in China are on the rise with the development of Sino-foreign cultural and educational exchanges. And accordingly the contents of short-term classes have developed into literature, calligraphy, economics, architecture, law, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, arts, and sports, from the original Chinese language. The time of short-term classes is also expanded to all the year round, from the original summer holidays only. Short-term classes are available in more than 300 universities across China.

Types of short-term class

The short-term class for the Chinese language is run by universities, colleges of arts, and teachers, colleges, mainly intended for students from foreign universities, high schools, friendship groups, company staff members, and whoever loves the Chinese culture. Short-term classes are divided into primary, medium and advanced levels according to different Chinese proficiency of the learners.

The Chinese culture class focuses on Chinese politics, economy and trade, foreign relations, and traditional culture, conducted either in Chinese or English, or with an interpreter. Classroom teaching is combined with visits to factories, rural areas, residential areas, and scenic spots. The Chinese traditional medicine class, which is run by colleges of traditional Chinese medicine in local areas, offers courses on acupuncture and moxibustion, massage, and internal medicine to overseas practitioners of Chinese medicine, acupuncturists, undergraduate and graduate students of medicine who know Chinese or English. The courses are conducted in the form of classroom lectures and clinical practices.

The law study class offers courses on China's Constitution, civil laws, economic laws, and laws and regulations on Sino-foreign joint investment, and organizes visits to law firms, court trial auditing, and discussions with law workers.

The calligraphy and painting class mainly focuses on theories and skills of Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese painting, including mountain-and-water painting, flower-and-bird painting, and figure painting.

The ancient architecture class offers lectures on the history of architectural development in ancient China, ancient China's architectural engineering technology. Students can also visit ancient Chinese buildings and gardens characteristic of various styles and times.

The gastronomy or cooking class focuses on the characteristics and cooking skills of major Chinese cuisines, with every student having the opportunity to make a dish independently.

The sports training class focuses on traditional Chinese martial arts, qigong, and modern sports items. But different classes can give particular priority to different items.

In addition to the above short-term classes, Chinese universities can also offer short-term classes of other subjects to foreigners. For further information, please check subject introductions of Chinese universities, or simply contact related university directly.

Short-term class time: varying from four to 20 weeks

Application channels

Whichever overseas university or friendship group wants to take short-term class studies in China can directly ask for admission brochures from related Chinese universities, and discuss about short-term class affairs. Whoever applies to take short-term1class studies can also directly contact related Chinese universities.

Applicants have to fill in the application form made by recruiting universities and colleges for short-term class for foreigners. Applicants are required to be 18 to 60 years old and in good health.

(Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange October 18, 2006)