CHINESE09 Chinese studies

The Chinese studies program is designed to enable students to develop a high level of communicative competence in the Chinese (Mandarin) language, including translation skills. Chinese studies offers instruction in the Chinese language from several possible entrance levels, catering for students ranging from introductory to advanced proficiency, and including background and non-background speakers of Chinese. Students will develop proficiency in speaking, reading, writing and research skills appropriate to their level and the program is intended to facilitate increasingly independent research in Chinese studies.

To ensure that students are placed in the most appropriate level according to their individual profile and the best outcome they can expect to achieve, all students, except beginners, are required to undertake placement testing prior to the start of their first semester of language study. Once your place is determined, you will progress through the language units in a designated stream. At each level, you have the option to enrol in an intensive in-country program as part of your stream component.

For students with an advanced level of Chinese language proficiency, a translation stream is available in addition to the mainstream language stream.

In addition to the compulsory language units, you will undertake studies on Chinese culture, history and politics and will be introduced to the language and issues of Chinese and international current affairs. You will also develop research and language skills to facilitate research through the medium of the Chinese language Internet.

Right of School to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Chinese studies program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor, nor can they elect to take classes that are below their proficiency level.

Students must sequentially progress through the language unit levels eg. Introductory, Intermediate, Proficient and Advanced. Students are not permitted to take classes that are below their tested language proficiency level.

Students with advanced language proficiency

Students wishing to undertake a Chinese studies major who have completed VCE first language or second language advanced, or who have attended a school where Chinese was the language of instruction, should consult the Chinese studies program for advice.

Overseas study

Students can replace language units with equivalent language study overseas in semester one, semester two, summer semester, or over a full year, at approved partner institutions in the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong or Taiwan. Students must obtain approval from the Chinese program before enrolling in language study overseas units. Students can similarly replace units through the China intensive language program. For a list of units, refer to the Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics Study Abroad webpage.

Availability

Chinese studies is listed in A2000 Bachelor of Arts at Clayton as a major and a minor, and in A0501 Diploma of Languages at Clayton as a major.