Basic Level

The Basic Level of the Chinese Language and Culture Program includes the following courses:

Chinese as a Second Language (CSL)

Those who have no background in Chinese must first take CSL, or Chinese as a Second Language. This course gives a basic overview of how to say the different tones and how Chinese characters are pictographs rather than alphabet-based. The course covers the fundamentals – listening, speaking, and reading basic words that students can use in daily life. When they have passed the CSL proficiency exam, students may enter the next basic level course, Chinese Language I.

Chinese Language I

Many students who enter the Chinese program are overseas Chinese and not entirely new to the language as they may understand the Chinese that is spoken at home or even speak the language, but have little or no literacy. Students of this kind take Chinese Language I, an introduction to Chinese language and cul-ture that assumes some basic skills. The emphasis is on training students to listen, speak, read, and begin writing Chinese. Students begin to build some vocabulary and a working knowledge of Chinese. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to recognize about 500 Chinese words and be able to write at least a few hundred words. Students must take a Basic level Chinese language proficiency exam at the end of the course in order to proceed to the next level.

Students must pass a basic level Chinese language proficiency exam in order to proceed to the next level and receive the Fei Tian Chinese Language Basic Level Certificate.