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)