Chinese Language and Culture

The Chinese section has two components — the Chinese language (Modern Standard Chinese, also known as Mandarin) and Chinese culture.

The language component includes courses designed for students with no previous knowledge of Mandarin. The objective of these courses is to provide students with a solid foundation in pronunciation and grammar as well as proficiency in the four language skills of speaking, reading, listening and writing.

Students with any prior experience with the Chinese language (having lived in China, using Chinese as a spoken language at home, having taken Chinese courses in K–12 institutions or community Chinese schools, etc.) must consult the instructor to be placed into the appropriate course.

The culture component features a course in Chinese Civilization. This course surveys Chinese beliefs and philosophy, family and society, science and technology, literature and art, in both historic and present-day contexts. The objective is to help students gain an insight into the perspectives, assumptions and principles that underlie various Chinese cultural traditions and develop an in-depth understanding of why the Chinese civilization has taken the course it has and how it became the world's most continuous civilization.

Learning Resources

Dictionaries

Language Learning Apps

  • ChineseSkill
  • HelloChinese
  • HSK Hero
  • Memrise
  • FluentU

Websites

 

International Study

Exchange programs with universities in China and Hong Kong give you opportunities to experience a different culture, practice your language and communication skills and develop new friendships, 

Learn more about International Education and about International Opportunities here.

Culture and Travel

Media

Scholarships

HSK Chinese Proficiency Test

  • HSK is an international standardized exam that tests and rates Chinese language proficiency. It assesses non-native Chinese speakers' abilities in using the Chinese language in their daily, academic and professional lives. Students interested in taking this exam can find more details on the HSK website.
  • Sample exams can be found here.
  • The test can be taken at HSK Test Centre in Calgary.

Work Opportunities in China