The immersion track is for students who want to devote themselves to Chinese language training fulltime, through 27 hours in class instruction per week, and lots of time for homework and other activities. It is a perfect opportunity for those who want to challenge themselves and test the limits of their courage, endurance and excitement.

        ■ Immersion Track         ■ Summer Immersion Program

Immersion Track for Spring & Fall

Requirements:
    • 3.0GPA
    • One recommendation letter
    

Class Size: Under 5
    We believe individual attention is essential in language acquisition. Therefore, the largest immersion class is capped at 5.

Language Pledge:
    To help students fully immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture, a language pledge is enforced both inside and outside the classroom.

Housing:
   •Off-campus apartments with Chinese roommates
   •Homestay

Levels:
    There will be 3 levels of language studies, corresponding to 300, 400 and beyond at US universities.

CH 210(12 credits, spring & fall): Elementary I
CH 211(12 credits, spring & fall): Elementary II

The immersion Chinese Language classes are designed for advanced language students. They normally meet three hours in the morning and one and half hours in the afternoon daily, five days a week, except Friday afternoon. Each student has a one-on-one session on every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

In addition, there is a language table and a Chinese movie appreciation session every other Friday afternoon. Students should be aware that the immersion course is very demanding. The above-mentioned hours aside, students should expect to spend at least another three to four hours in class preparation and self-study daily.

Class schedule:

Courses	Textbooks	Time
Comprehensive Chinese	New Practical Chinese Reader Book3	9:00pm-12:00pm (Mon-Fri)
Reading and Discussion	TBA	1:30pm-3:20pm (Mon-Thu)
One on One	TBA	3:30pm-5:30pm (Mon-Thu)

CH 310(12 credits, spring & fall): Intermediate I
CH 311(12 credits, spring & fall): Intermediate II

The format is the same as CH 210, except that this is more advanced.

CH 410(12 credits, spring & fall): Advanced I
CH 411(12 credits, spring & fall): Advanced II
The format is the same as CH 210, except that this is more advanced.

Class schedule:

CH 421: Chinese Folklores( 1 credit, spring & fall )
This course is for students on Chinese immersion track. The instructor will discuss Chinese cultural traditions, religions, and all kinds of social practices that permeate Chinese life. It is four weeks in length and readings will be selected from books, articles, and contemporary news.

CH 422:Chinese Social Issues(1 credit ,spring & fall)
To understand contemporary social issues by reading and discussing is the purpose of this course. Among the major topics are peasant laborers in cities, education, environment, etc. Students will conduct interviews, by using Chinese, as part of this class.

CH 423: Chinese Popular Culture(1 credit, spring and fall)
The focus of this course is on the youth culture, music, movies, TV programs, and the immerging internet culture. Interactions with college students forms part and parcel of this attempt to understand China's youth.

CH 424: Language Internship(1 credit, conducted in Chinese)

TOP

Summer Immersion Program

Summer Language Immersion Program (8 weeks)

This 8 week program is oriented towards intensive language training in the midst of Chinese social environment. It follows the model pioneered by Middlebury College. This is only for those students who are serious and determined to immerse completely in Chinese language and culture.

Academic Credits: 8

Dates:
June 16-August 12, 2012

Application Deadline: April 5

Prerequisites:
3.0 GPA
2 semesters of Chinese
Skype Interview

Cost:
$5,000 (including tuition, textbooks, housing, activities, and domestic travels). Food and international airfare are student's responsibilities.

Housing:
   •Off-campus apartments with Chinese roommates
   •Homestay

Goals:

Vocabulary:
    ■ 3000 words are expected of intermediate level.
    ■ Advanced level students are expected to understand lectures in Chinese in Chinese universities.

Oral Proficiency:
    ■ Complete sentences and competent oral expressions in conversations for intermediate level.
    ■ Functioning normally in all kinds of situations for advanced level.

Written Expressions:
    ■ Writing paragraphs such as narration, exposition, definition, description, etc for intermediate level.
    ■ Reading or writing Chinese essays or novels in Chinese universities for advanced level.

Language pledge:
To achieve our goal of immersing in Chinese language and culture, a no English pledge will be adopted for intermediate level and above. Past experiences prove that such a requirement is a good fit for the high motivated students. It is a testing case for the old saying, when the goings get tough, the tough gets going.

Types of class:
The following classes are available, each with a different emphasis.
    Required classes:
    ■ Comprehensive Chinese
    ■ Drills
    ■ Reading and Discussion
    ■ One on One Practice
    Elective classes(all conducted in Chinese):
    ■ Chinese Culture
    ■ Chinese Calligraphy
    ■ Chinese Films

Tests and Exams:
    ■ Weekly tests, both oral and written, will be conducted to assess progress.
    ■ Writing exercises and homework completion will be graded.
    ■ Final exam will be comprehensive in nature.

Practicum Activities:
    ■ Visit the Great Wall and Forbidden City in Beijing
    ■ Visit a factory
    ■ Assisted travels to surrounding cities near Beijing and Qingdao

Contact:
Mr. Lixin Meng, robust832003@yahoo.com.cn or Joyce Li, lixinfeng99@163.com

TOP