The Chinese Language Centre
School of Chinese, Faculty of Arts
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
香港大學中文學院漢語中心
The Chinese Language Centre at HKU is a top class destination for learning Chinese that is known for the teaching excellence of its staff and the exceptionally high standards of performance of its students. The Centre offers a wide range of highly popular courses, including a two-year Certificate Course in Chinese Language, Putonghua (Mandarin) courses for professionals, Cantonese courses for Mainland and overseas students, as well as Chinese language and culture courses for international students. Taking advantage of Hong Kong’s position at the cultural crossroads between the East and the West, the Centre serves as a world-class hub for the teaching and learning of Chinese as a foreign language and as an international institute for research and collaboration in the promotion of Chinese language studies, Chinese heritage, and cross-cultural exchange.
Please access the updated information about:
The Certificate in Chinese Language Program of
the Chinese Language Centre at HKU
is pleased to announce our newly refurbished and redesigned
Certificate in Chinese Language Courses
We enthusiastically invite applications for
direct entry to our Year 1 offerings
初级广东话或普通话！
初級廣東話或普通話！
The two-year Certificate Course in Chinese Language Program offers a Putonghua (Mandarin) stream and a Cantonese stream. In the 2022/23 academic year, we will run three evening class choices:
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Cantonese 1 NCS (for non-Chinese speaking students)
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Cantonese 1 PTH (for students with a foundation in Mandarin or a Mandarin speaking background—this is a NEW addition to our offerings!)
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Putonghua 1 (for non-Chinese speaking students)
Classes will meet four times weekly after 5 p.m. for three terms over the year, with an additional experiential class included each week by arrangement at various days and times. The experiential classes will bring students to venues where the language is spoken and to various neighborhoods in Hong Kong, guide them in utilizing the language in real-world contexts, and develop their communication skills and appreciation of Chinese culture through lively direct experience.
In the 2022/23 academic year, we invite students who have no prior knowledge of either Cantonese or Putonghua to join our Cantonese 1 NCS or Putonghua 1 classes, and those with a Mandarin background to join the Cantonese 1 PTH class. All courses are based at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and conducted face-to-face and/or in hybrid mode (a mix of online and face-to-face elements) when necessary. All our courses are taught by highly experienced teachers, who are native speakers of Chinese, and who provide effective and balanced training in all language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing in Chinese.
Offered through the Certificate in Chinese Language program of the Chinese Language Centre at HKU, our courses provide a comprehensive and rigorous Cantonese and Putonghua curriculum, with both spoken and written tracks embedding a lively experiential learning component.
Our teaching and texts provide instruction in authentic spoken Cantonese or Putonghua. Emphasizing practical communication skills over academic theory, our instructors focus on spoken interaction in a highly effective student learning experience with an engaging array of teaching pedagogies and motivational assessments. Our courses will provide you with a solid foundation in the language, paving the way for advanced language or related study. Students can continue their Cantonese or Putonghua learning by taking second-year courses to be offered beginning in the 2023/24 academic year.
All who are interested may contact Ms. Amy Ho at amyho.clc@hku.hk for placement details, course schedule and application information.
Application-FAQ
Can I apply for 2022 intake now?
Application for admission in September 2022 (FOR YEAR 1 ONLY) will remain open until 12:00 noon, July 31, 2022 (Hong Kong Time).
*Late applications for Year 1 will also be accepted for consideration. Please send your inquiry to Ms Amy Ho at amyho.clc@hku.hk.
Where can I obtain an application form?
Application Forms can be downloaded from the website
Can I apply for admission as a visiting student?
An applicant who does not satisfy the University entrance requirements may be admitted as a Visiting Student. Visiting Student is not eligible for the award of the Certificate. Fees are the same as those for the regular students.
Tuition Fee
HK$29,900 for each Term, payable in 6 non-refundable installments.
Academic Terms (2022 – 23)
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Term 1 September 1 - December 2, 2022
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Term 2 January 3 – March 31, 2023
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Term 3 April 11 – July 7, 2023*
* Examination Period: (July 3 – 7, 2023)
Class Suspension Period for The Lunar New Year:
To be announced
Assessment
The First Examination is held at the end of the first year and the certificate Examination is held at the end of the curriculum. Both Examinations consist of written papers and oral tests.
The Certificate of Award will be presented to students upon satisfactory completion of the programme. Upon satisfactory completion of the first year of study, testimonial can be provided to students upon request.
Student Voices
My teacher has a friendly and encouraging manner and tries out new methods to make classes active and interesting for learners.
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As a complete beginner, I was very nervous but I found my teachers patient and knowledgeable. They always encouraged me to speak in the class. It is easier that way to remember and to repeat phrases and words.
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I would like to be able to communicate directly with my business partners. I am happy that my teacher does not only follow the book but that he teaches me also extra words.
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This certificate provides the students with extensive vocabulary, comprehensive grammar and hints of the Chinese culture. Topics are varied and interesting.