Study Abroad in China: The Best Program Length

Deciding to move abroad and study in Beijing is a huge decision, as you will move to another country to learn a completely new language. That is why it is vital that you understand what you really want from your language course, and how long you want to spend learning the language in Beijing. Determining the length of the course is important as it helps you to understand the intensity of the course, the amount of information you can expect to learn, and the costs involved in taking the course. Here are a few suggestions on the differing course lengths for a study abroad in China program.

1.Full University Courses. It is possible to go to Beijing and study Chinese for years and in the same level of detail as a full university course. This is a great option if your goal is to really immerse yourself in the language and become fluent. If you plan on living or working in China then Chinese fluency will be important to you, and so a long program that allows you to gradually progress and understand the more complex aspects of the language is a good idea. However, for some such a long study abroad in China program is too long, and if this is the case then you should look at a program that will be finished in less than 3 or 4 years.

2.One-term Courses. For those looking for a combination of recreation and to perhaps get a taste of Mandarin, a short study abroad in China program for one term or semester may be the ideal choice. These courses often simply cover the basics, and are a good way to begin your Chinese language learning. They also offer the opportunity to really see Chinese culture whilst you learn, which will help you to decide if Chinese is something you want to continue studying in the future. The costs are also lower and you don’t have to commit to a long period of time. However, you obviously won’t get the real depth or intensity needed on these courses to become fully proficient in Mandarin.

3.Yearly Courses. Perhaps the best compromise between a long course and a semester course is a course that lasts one academic year. These courses offer academic intensity along with the convenience of being relatively short, meaning you can get to a high level of Mandarin proficiency in just one year. The first few months will certainly be tough as the programs can move fast, but this will help immerse you in the topic and the culture to the point where you will be able to use your Mandarin every day. A study abroad in China program that lasts a year is the recommended length for a program, because you really do get the best of both worlds, and you can always continue on for longer after the year has finished. For those looking to get ahead with their Mandarin and also study other subjects in their own countries, then a one year program should be your first option.