Chinese Language Courses
- Chinese Language Evening Programme
- Introduction to Chinese Culture – COCR 2045
- SWEN Chinese Course
- A Taste of Chinese Culture
- Chinese in Primary and Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions
- Learn Chinese Together
- VIP - One-on-One Classes
I. Chinese Language Evening Programme
The Confucius Institute conducts various Chinese language courses at The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The courses do not offer university credit although students will be awarded certification. Teaching time is 2 to 4 hours per week.
- Beginner
This course provides oral practice related to scenario-based conversations. This includes the Chinese phonetic system, simple conversations, basic vocabulary and sentence patterns. Participants are expected to master around 80 commonly used words and basic grammar patterns.
Course dates: Begins third week of each semester. Eight week’s duration.
Time: Tuesday and Wednesday. 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. subject to Cave Hill Campus timetabling.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: Free to UWI Students and Staff. All others, BDS $400 per semester.
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
- Beginner Plus
This course aims at expanding students’ Chinese vocabulary and giving them a better understanding of Chinese grammar. Participants are expected to master around 150 commonly used words and basic grammar patterns, which is about HSK 1 level.
Course dates: Begins third week of each semester. Eight week’s duration.
Time: Tuesday and Wednesday. 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. subject to Cave Hill Campus timetabling.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: Free to UWI Students and Staff. All others, BDS $ 400 per semester.
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
- Intermediate
The aim of this course is to help participants to improve the understanding of long texts written in Chinese and to further expand vocabulary and their abilities in the application of everyday Chinese. Comprehensive learning (reading, listening, speaking and writing) will be the focus of the class. This class requires a high level of participation from the student. Participants are expected to master around 200 commonly used words and related grammar patterns.
Course dates: Begins third week of each semester. Eight week’s duration.
Time: Tuesday and Wednesday. 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. subject to Cave Hill Campus timetabling.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: Free to UWI Students and Staff. All others, BDS $ 400 per semester.
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
- Intermediate Plus
This course is mainly focused on communicative situations in a business environment. Some prior knowledge of Chinese characters is recommended but not mandatory. Participants must have an excellent grasp of basic Chinese and the ability to communicate about simple and familiar tasks requiring direct exchange of information on routine matters. Participants are expected to master around 300 commonly used words and related grammar patterns, which is about HSK 2 level.
Course dates: Begins third week of each semester. Eight week’s duration.
Time: Tuesday and Wednesday. 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. subject to Cave Hill Campus timetabling.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: Free to UWI Students and Staff. All others, BDS $ 400 per semester.
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
II. Introduction to Chinese Culture – COCR 2045
The course is open to students of the Cave Hill Campus* and students from outside the campus with an interest in learning more about Chinese culture without entering a rigorous programme of studying the Chinese language. Lectures take place 2 hours per week and laboratories take place 2 hours per week for a total of four (4) hours per week for 12 weeks. Classes cover the following topics: China’s history, geography, political system, economy, infrastructure, scientific and technological advances, legal system, education system, culture, social structure, role in global affairs, major events and personalities; China’s cultural expressions including traditional music, musical instruments, opera and dance, prose and poetry, calligraphy and traditional painting, traditional festivals and customs, pottery, architecture, cuisine and tea ceremony, etiquette, including business traditions and culture, movies.
* NOTES: The course is open to Level 2 and Level 3 students. Course Anti-requisite(s): CHIN1001 Chinese Language 1A and CHIN2200 Introduction to Contemporary China.
Course dates: Semester.
Time: Subject to confirmation in Cave Hill timetable.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Credits: 3
Cost: Free to UWI Students and Staff. Persons who are not enrolled at the UWI Cave Hill Campus may pay the applicable fees and also be admitted to the course. There are two categories of students associated with this provision:
- Specially Admitted Student ($270 per credit + $470 Amenities fee +$30 ID Card fee); and
- Occasional Student. An occasional student audits the course and is not required to complete any assessments and therefore does not receive a final grade. ($135 per credit + $470 Amenities fee + $30 ID Card fee)
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
III. SWEN Chinese Course
SWEN 2010: Beginner Chinese Language, Culture & Society; and
SWEN 2011: Beginner Chinese Language & IT Business Environment.
These courses are open only to students enrolled in the BSc. Software Engineering (Mobile Application Technologies) for their third and fourth years of study in the software engineering programme in Suzhou, China.
Course dates: Semester.
Time: Subject to Cave Hill Campus timetabling.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: No additional cost to eligible students.
Capacity: Twenty-five persons in classroom and additional students online.
IV A Taste of Chinese Culture
The course is open to paying students only, primarily from outside the campus with an interest in learning more about Chinese culture. Classes will be held 2-4 hours per week (2 classes/week; 2 hours/class).
Course dates: 2 (Hours): Monday: 6pm-7pm and Thursday: 7pm-8pm or 4 (Hours):Monday: 6pm-8pm and Thursday: 7pm-9pm
Course Duration: 8-12 weeks
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus
Cost: BDS $50/module
Capacity: Max. 25 persons
Certification: Certificate issued
Modules:
1. China Through the Ages (Compulsory)
This module will focus on the historical and cultural development of China from ancient to modern times. It will also utilise the medium of Chinese Film to revisit some of China’s most impactful and historic periods throughout the centuries.
2. Healing Hands and Motions: TCM
This module will explore the origins and benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It will also examine the link between nature and the core value of health and wellness in Chinese Culture.
3. Healing Hands and Motions: Tai Chi
This module will explore the origins and benefits of Tai Chi. It will also examine the link between nature and the core value of health and wellness in Chinese Culture.
4. Flavours of China: Tea
This module will delve into the world of Chinese Tea and examine the impact it has had not only on Chinese and Asian culture, but global health and wellness culture as well.
NB: Each Module description will include syllabus content, hours per week, project details, suggestions for guest lecturers/experts.
V. Chinese in Primary and Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions
The Confucius Institute offers classes to students enrolled in primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions according to schedules agreed with the relevant institutions.
Course dates: School term or institution semester.
Time: As agreed.
Location: At the school or tertiary institution or online as agreed.
Cost: Free of cost to students enrolled in day programmes in government institutions. Cost as determined by the institutions for evening classes.
Capacity: As determined.
VI. Learn Chinese Together (Cooperation between the National Library Service of Barbados and the Confucius Institute of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus)
The Learn Chinese Together Course is a cooperative effort between the National Library Service of Barbados and the Confucius Institute of The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus which is presented free of cost to participants. The classes reflect a combination of teaching in the rudiments of Chinese as well as Chinese culture. The classes are held entirely online.
Course dates: Cave Hill Campus Semester.
Time: Tuesday (Beginners) Wednesday (Beginners Plus), 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Online.
Cost: Free.
Capacity: Maximum thirty students preferred.
VII. VIP - One-on-One Classes
The VIP one – on – one classes are designed according to the requirements of the student. Class time also depends on the requirements of the student.
Course dates: Determined through consultation between teacher and student.
Time: Determined through consultation between teacher and student.
Location: Confucius Institute, Cave Hill Campus.
Cost: BDS $50 per class.
Capacity: One-on-One.