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Monash University

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Chinese language - Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
Campus availability: Clayton

Relevant courses

  • 2430 Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)
  • 2431 Diploma in Arts (Chinese Studies)
  • 2366 Diploma in Languages (Chinese)
  • 0002 Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
  • 3910 Bachelor of Arts (Global)
  • 1366 Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
  • 0202 Bachelor of Letters

The Chinese studies program offers six Chinese language streams on the Clayton campus. Students will be placed at the appropriate entry point according to their language ability and their previous language studies. The Chinese studies program retains the right to determine the proper stream for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first obtaining approval from the Chinese Studies Program.

Once a student's entry point is determined, he or she will progress through the core language units in a designated stream. At each level, students have the option to enrol in an intensive in-country program as part of their stream component (see 'Intensive In-Country Chinese program' below).

In addition to the core language units, students normally take two Chinese language electives, including Chinese media studies, Chinese language internship, understanding modern and contemporary China, and Chinese translation, as part of their major in Chinese. These electives may also be replaced by units in Chinese studies or Asian studies.

Intensive In-Country Chinese Program (Summer semester)

The Chinese studies program runs an intensive, in-country, fee-paying Chinese language study program at Chinese host universities in Shanghai and Beijing. Students can study for either three or six weeks and may be eligible to apply for Monash International Study Abroad grants. In addition to formal language classes, the in-country-study program immerses students in Chinese culture and society. Intensive In-country Chinese program units can be taken as part of any Chinese language sequence, or as an elective for students from other schools or faculties. Detailed information may be found at http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/chinese/incountry. Students must consult the Chinese studies program before making application. In addition to the six core language streams, elective units are also offered in Chinese translation and Chinese professional language internship.

Language Study Abroad program

In addition to the Intensive Chinese In-country Program, students may also undertake incountry study in semesters one, two or over a full-year at approved institutions in the People's Republic of China or Taiwan. Students must obtain written approval from the Chinese Studies Program before enrolling.

For a full list of units see below.

NOTE: students may replace some of their core language units with alternate intensive in-country units up to 24 points, or students can choose language study abroad units as electives.

All Chinese language students are encouraged to enrol in Chinese studies or Asian studies units. These units have no Chinese language prerequisites and are open to students not studying Chinese language. Chinese and Asian studies units are taught in the school as well as in other schools of the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Non-Arts students

In some non-Arts courses students are able to take Arts electives and count them towards their course. Students who want to study a language as part of their non-Arts course should discuss with the managing faculty of their course :

  1. whether they are allowed to include language units as part of their course
  2. how many units/credit points they may or must study and at what year-level/s
  3. select the appropriate language units to enrol in.

NOTE: Because some students will be unable to study language as first-year level units, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics have created second-year level codes to enable non-Arts students to complete the equivalent of a first-year sequence in their chosen language. Students wishing to enrol in these units, must discuss any future enrolment with the relevant language program before going any further.

Sequences and units

First-year sequence

A sequence is normally a first semester first-year level unit which is followed by a second semester first-year level unit in the same discipline.

Minor sequence

Students complete a standard minor chosen from one of the following options:

  • 24 points of core language units
  • 18 points of core language units plus one second-year level elective chosen from units listed below.

Major sequence

Students complete a standard major consisting of six core language units as listed below and also including two electives chosen from units that can be counted towards the discipline.

NOTE: Students may replace some of their core language units with alternate intensive in-country units (up to 24 points), or can choose language study abroad units as electives.

Major sequences - choosing the right entry point for you

Students wishing to undertake Chinese have the option of starting in one of six entry points. The following sequences are provided as guides only. There are several ways to structure a Chinese major, however students wishing to accelerate through the proficiency levels either by taking study abroad units or because their level of language acquisition results allow them to, must consult with the language program before enrolling.

Basic major sequences
Basic Chinese major, entry point 1

For students with little or no knowledge of the language.

  • CHI1010 Chinese 1
  • CHI1020 Chinese 2
  • CHI2030 Chinese 3
  • CHI2040 Chinese 4
  • CHI3050 Chinese 5
  • CHI3060 Chinese 6
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • one third year level elective from the list of electives below
Basic Chinese major, entry point 2

For students who have completed the second language stream of VCE Chinese or the equivalent. Please consult the Chinese language program prior to enrolment.

  • CHI1030 Chinese 3
  • CHI1040 Chinese 4
  • CHI2050 Chinese 5
  • CHI2060 Chinese 6
  • CHI3070 Chinese 7
  • CHI3080 Chinese 8
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • one third year level elective from the list of electives below
Advanced major sequences
Advanced Chinese major, entry point 3

For students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Chinese, have additional Chinese language background, or native Mandarin speakers who have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese educational system. Students will be tested to determine their entry point.

  • CHI1050 Chinese 5
  • CHI1060 Chinese 6
  • CHI2070 Chinese 7
  • CHI2080 Chinese 8
  • CHI3090 Chinese 9
  • CHI3100 Chinese 10
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • one third year level elective from the list of electives below
Advanced Chinese major, entry point 4

For students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Chinese, have additional Chinese language background, or native Mandarin speakers who have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese educational system. Students will be tested to determine their entry point.

  • CHI1070 Chinese 7
  • CHI1080 Chinese 8
  • CHI2090 Chinese 9
  • CHI2100 Chinese 10
  • CHI3110 Chinese 11
  • CHI3120 Chinese 12
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • one third year level elective from the list of electives below
Advanced Chinese major, entry point 5

For students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Chinese, have additional Chinese language background, or native Mandarin speakers who have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese educational system. Students will be tested to determine their entry point.

  • CHI1090 Chinese 9
  • CHI1100 Chinese 10
  • CHI2110 Chinese 11
  • CHI2120 Chinese 12
  • two second year level electives from the list of electives below
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • one third year level elective from the list of electives below
Advanced Chinese major, entry point 6

For students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Chinese, have additional Chinese language background, or native Mandarin speakers who have completed a substantial part of their schooling in a Chinese educational system. Students will be tested to determine their entry point.

  • CHI1110 Chinese 11
  • CHI1120 Chinese 12
  • three second year level electives from the list of electives below
  • one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
  • two third year level electives from the list of electives below

Language Study Abroad units

Chinese Incountry Program (intensive summer course)

  • CHI1901 Chinese 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1902 Chinese 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1903 Chinese 3 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1904 Chinese 4 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1905 Chinese 5 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1906 Chinese 6 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1907 Chinese 7 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1908 Chinese 8 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1909 Chinese 9 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1910 Chinese 10 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1911 Chinese 11 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1912 Chinese 12 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1945 Chinese for business communication, Part 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1965 Chinese translation 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI1966 Chinese translation 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2901 Chinese 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2902 Chinese 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2903 Chinese 3 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2904 Chinese 4 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2905 Chinese 5 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2906 Chinese 6 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2907 Chinese 7 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2908 Chinese 8 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2909 Chinese 9 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2910 Chinese 10 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2911 Chinese 11 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2912 Chinese 12 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2945 Chinese for business communication, Part 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2946 Chinese for business communication, Part 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2955 Professional Chinese language internship, Part 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2960 Professional Chinese language internship, Part 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2965 Chinese translation 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2966 Chinese translation 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2975 Chinese translation for professional purposes 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2976 Chinese translation for professional purposes 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2985 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI2986 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3903 Chinese 3 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3904 Chinese 4 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3905 Chinese 5 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3906 Chinese 6 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3907 Chinese 7 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3908 Chinese 8 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3909 Chinese 9 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3910 Chinese 10 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3911 Chinese 11 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3912 Chinese 12 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3945 Chinese for business communication, Part 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3946 Chinese for business communication, Part 2 (Incountry Program)
  • CHI3955 Professional Chinese language internship, Part 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3960 Professional Chinese language internship, Part 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3965 Chinese translation 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3966 Chinese translation 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3975 Chinese translation for professional purposes 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3976 Chinese translation for professional purposes 2 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3985 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 1 (Incountry program)
  • CHI3986 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 2 (Incountry program)

Semester or year-long individual language study abroad

  • CHI1990 Language study abroad program (6 points)
  • CHI1991 Language study abroad program (12 points)
  • CHI2990 Language study abroad program (6 points)
  • CHI2991 Language study abroad program (12 points)
  • CHI2992 Language study abroad program (24 points)
  • CHI3990 Language study abroad program (6 points)
  • CHI3391 Language study abroad program (12 points)
  • CHI3992 Language study abroad program (24 points)

Elective units

  • ASN3071 Theory and research in Asian studies (compulsory for intending honours students)
  • CHI2335/CHI3335 Chinese media studies, part 1
  • CHI2345/CHI3345 Chinese media studies, part 2
  • CHI2430/CHI3430 Understanding modern China
  • CHI2440/CHI3440 Understanding contemporary China
  • CHI2450/CHI3450 Chinese for business communication, part 1
  • CHI2460/CHI3460 Chinese for business communication, part 2
  • CHI2/3550 Professional Chinese language internship, part 1
  • CHI2/3560 Professional Chinese language internship, part 2
  • CHI2/3650 Chinese translation 1 (previously TRN3010)
  • CHI2/3660 Chinese translation 2 (previously TRN3020)
  • CHI2750/3750 Chinese translation for professional purposes 1
  • CHI2760/3760 Chinese translation for professional purposes 2
  • CHI2850/3850 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 1
  • CHI2860/3860 Basic interpreting skills (Mandarin) 2

Contact details

Enquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building

Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223

Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au or visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/lcl/