The Chinese Language (Putonghua) as a Second Language Minor Programme aims to provide systematic Putonghua trainings to students in the perspective of contemporary theories of language study. In addition to nurturing students’ language proficiency with substantive knowledge about the lexicon and grammar of Putonghua, the curriculum design of the Programme also features applications of current theories of linguistics in language acquisition, cognitive science as well as culture and society, enhancing students’ understanding of language as a window into the human mind, their bilingual and multilingual awareness and sharpening their sensitivity towards the complexity of modern language used in China and worldwide.
The Chinese Language (Putonghua) as a Second Language Minor Programme exposes students to Putonghua as a second language, strengthening their concepts of language diversity and socio-linguistic variation, enabling them to better understand their status as bilinguals/multilinguals and increasing their awareness of the rich and cultural heritages of the pertinent communities.
The Minor Programme caters for students of any discipline in the preparation for their job capacity and career development, especially those students from the disciplines of China studies, education, business, informational technology, tourism and hospitality, etc. As one of the most spoken languages in the world, the number of people learning Chinese as a Second language has been mounting in recent years. Knowledge of Putonghua with sharpened awareness and appreciation of the language and culture will certainly benefit students’ career development in China and other overseas Chinese communities.
The Chinese Language (Putonghua) as a Second Language Minor Programme is offered by the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, jointly with the Yale-China Chinese Language Academy, parallel to the existing Minor Programmes in French, German, Spanish, Korean and Hong Kong Sign Language.
The minor programme is a pioneering programme targeting non-native speakers of Putonghua/Cantonese. It represents the cross-departmental effort of the Faculty of Arts of CUHK in offering the teaching and learning of Chinese language from academic perspectives. The Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages and CLA complement each other in offering the programme. Aligning with other Modern Languages Programmes offered by the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages, Arab Studies Programme offered by the Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, Japanese Language Programme and Japanese Studies Programme offered by the Department of Japanese Studies, the inclusion of a Minor Programme in Putonghua as a Second Language will strengthen the pivotal role of the Faculty of Arts in offering Modern Languages programme to all CUHK students and it also expands the choices of CUHK students for the study of Modern Languages. Furthermore, the inclusion not only echoes and deepens CUHK’s role and mission to promote Chinese language and culture, but also enhances the competitive edge and attractiveness of the Faculty of Arts as well as CUHK to international students.
Finally, the minor programme strengthens the role of our major programme in Linguistics by reinforcing the study of languages through application of linguistic theories to a target language. The presence of international students in our major programme courses will also enrich and enhance the diversity of our student mix, bringing in global perspectives to our local students.
Remarks:
For enquiries related to the selection of CLCP courses and placement test, please contact the University Programme Section of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details:
Tel: 3943-8224
Email: cla_upd@cuhk.edu.hk
For enquiries related to the application for declaration of the minor programme, please contact the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages.
Students are required to complete a minimum of 21 units of courses, with at least 6 units at 3000 or above level, as follows:
| Units | ||
| (1) | Required courses: LING1000, CLCP2213, 2233, 2253 and 3313 | 15 |
| (2) | Elective courses: a) Any 1 course from the following: LING2301, 3202, 3204 or 3206 |
|
Total: | 21 |
Explanatory Notes:
| 1. | This Minor Programme is not for students whose native language is Cantonese/Putonghua. Students planning to minor in this Programme should take the Putonghua placement tests offered by the Yale-China Chinese Language Academy. Declaration of this Minor Programme is subject to approval of the Department. |
| 2. | Depending on their proficiency in Putonghua, students may be asked to take advanced level courses to substitute for the courses at the 2000 level to fulfill the Minor Programme requirement. They should seek advice from the Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for the substitute courses for them to take. |
| 3. | All CLCP courses taken to fulfill this Minor programme requirement cannot be counted towards the fulfillment of the University Core requirements. |
| 4. | No more than 10 units of courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the students’ Major Programme(s) and other Minor Programme(s) respectively can be used to fulfill the requirement of this Minor Programme. |
Remarks:
For enquiries related to the selection of CLCP courses and placement test, please contact the University Programme Section of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details:
Tel: 3943-8224
Email: cla_upd@cuhk.edu.hk
For enquiries related to the application for declaration of the minor programme, please contact the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages.
| Code | Course Title | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistics Courses | ||
| LING1000 | Invitation to Linguistics | 3 |
| LING2301 | Sociolinguistics | 3 |
| LING3202 | Psycholinguistics | 3 |
| LING3204 | Second Language Acquisition | 3 |
| LING3206 | Bilingualism | 3 |
| Putonghua Courses* | ||
| CLCP2213 | Application of Vocabulary and Grammar II | 3 |
| CLCP2223 | Oral Skills Practice II | 3 |
| CLCP2233 | Communication in Context II | 3 |
| CLCP2253 | Basic Presentation Skills and Daily Situations II | 3 |
| CLCP3313 | Application of Vocabulary and Grammar III | 3 |
| CLCP3323 | Oral Skills Practice III | 3 |
| CLCP3333 | Communication in Context III | 3 |
| CLCP3353 | Presentation Skills and Daily Situations | 3 |
| CLCP4413 | News Media and Presentation Skills I | 3 |
| CLCP4423 | Essay Writing and Presentation Skills | 3 |
| CLCP4433 | Advanced Topical Conversation I – Hot Topics | 3 |
| CLCP4443 | Advanced Communication Skills on Business Topics I | 3 |
| CLCP4453 | Advanced Communication Skills and Culture I | 3 |
| CLCP4513 | News Media and Presentation Skills II | 3 |
| CLCP4533 | Advanced Topical Conversation II – Social Life | 3 |
| CLCP4633 | Advanced Topical Conversation III – Chinese Diplomacy and Society | 3 |
*Please also refer to the website of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details: https://www.yccla.cuhk.edu.hk/minor-prog
For enquiries related to the selection of CLCP courses and placement test, please contact the University Programme Section of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details:
Tel: 3943-8224
Email: cla_upd@cuhk.edu.hk.
Linguistics Courses
Please refer to the Course Descriptions of Major Programme in Linguistics.
Putonghua Courses
Please refer to the website of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details:
https://www.yccla.cuhk.edu.hk/minor-prog
For enquiries related to the selection of CLCP courses and placement test, please contact the University Programme Section of Yale-China Chinese Language Academy for details:
Tel: 3943-8224
Email: cla_upd@cuhk.edu.hk