University The type of curriculum that is typically offered in non-Asian countries is Chinese, rather than elementary or secondary school. Chinese study programs are well-known at many American universities, as well as those in Hong Kong and Taiwan. It’s a good idea to compare the available research materials, subject matter breadth, and language options at each school you’re considering when deciding on the best Chinese curriculum for you.
Because Chinese is not technically a language, the first decision to make is which dialect or language to use. There are many dialects and languages spoken in China, with Mandarin and Cantonese being the most common. Mandarin is a dialect, whereas Cantonese is a language. Some schools use both program curricula, while others only use one. Depending on your post-university career plans, you should carefully consider whether Cantonese, Mandarin, or both would be the best fit for you.
If Mandarin or Cantonese isn’t your first language or dialect, the best Chinese curriculum for you is material taught in your mother tongue or one of your native languages. Courses at the university level are usually challenging enough, especially for first-year students who are still getting used to campus routines. You are unlikely to achieve your best course outcomes and grades if a language barrier prevents you from understanding your curriculum lessons. Before enrolling in Chinese studies, universities in China may recommend that students have at least one year of experience speaking Cantonese or Mandarin.
You should carefully examine the various areas of study included in each school’s Chinese curriculum. Your best school curricula are those in which you have a strong interest as well as a good understanding of the material. If politics is your favorite subject, for example, it’s worth looking into each school that offers that concentration to see which one is the best fit for you.
While many universities that specialize in China-oriented studies offer a diverse range of Chinese courses such as law, religion, international business, and history, others focus on a narrower set of topics. Harvard, an American university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is well-known for its focus on China-US relations. The School of Language and Literature at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is well-known for its Chinese curriculum arts degree programs. National Taiwan University in Taipei City, Taiwan, usually offers a variety of Chinese study degree programs, but it is particularly well-known for its science, medicine, law, and engineering programs.
Compare the amount of quality library research materials available in your field of study after you’ve narrowed down your school choices for the best Chinese curriculum for your needs and interests. Some school libraries may have only a few shelves of Asian materials, while others may have much larger collections. For example, the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland Campus in the United States is known for its East Asian Library, which houses a large collection of Chinese study materials.