Calendar 2002–03

134 Part 3• ResearchUnits andUniversity Extensions New Asia Yale-in-China Chinese Language Centre Tel.:2609 6727 Fax.:2603 5004 E-mail: clc@cuhk.edu.hk Website :http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/clc The New AsiaYale-in-China Chinese Language Centre (CLC) provides language training in pu tongh ua an d Can tonese. It offer s two types of credit-bear ing programmes: one is putonghuacourses for local students andCantonese courses for non-local students; the other is designed primarily for international students who either come to CUHK as exchange students or apply to CLC directly. The main purposes for all courses, including intensive summer courses,are to improve the language proficiency of students an d their communicative ability in using putong hua and Cantonese. Courses are divided in to (1) putonghua for local students, (2) putonghua for international students, (3) Cantonese for non-local students, and (4) Cantonese for international students. Found ed in 1963 under th e joint au spices of New Asia College an d the Yale-ChinaAssociation, thecentre became a part of the University in 1974. Every year over 1,000 stud ents from different parts of the world are admitted to the language centre, ranging from absolute beginners to trained sinologists whowish to polish their spoken Chinese or learn a newChinese dialect. Courses are offered at all levels so that students can find training suited to their needs and ability. The language centre also teaches putonghua regularly to thou sands of Cantonese- sp eaking stud ents of the Un iver sity, and Cantonese to regularly admitted putongh ua-speaking u nder gradu ates from mainlan d Ch ina. In addition, it cooperates with University units in a range of language activities, such as with the Faculty of Education in a special putonghua course for second ary school teachers. Teachers of the language centre prepare a significant portion of their teaching material and audio-visual aids. The centre operates on a three-term system, with the fall and spring terms lasting approximately 15 weeks each, and the summer term 10 weeks. Students may register for admission to any term. Beginners’ courses are offered every term. The full-time programme of 15 sessions of classroom instruction per week constitutes the maximum course load. The maximum class size is eight students. In exceptional cases, private tutorials and part-time classes are available. The centre has afull complement of tapes for teaching purposes. Language laboratory facilities with computers are also available. The centre gives credits according to the American system and issues grades and transcripts. Courses taken at the centre have been recognized by major universities for degree credit. For students from institutions not using the credit system, transcripts are prepared in sufficient detail to present a clear picture of the work accomplished by each student. An information brochure is obtainable upon request. All correspondence should be addressed to the New Asia Yale-in-China Chinese Language Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong.