International Chinese Language Institute

     Xi'an as the symbol of old Chinese civilization is also the earliest city opened to the world in history. It is located in the center of China, and served as the capital city for 13 dynasties. During the Tang Dynasty students from Japan, Korea and other Asian nations studied in this very city, leaving behind a much-told fine tale on cultural exchange between China and foreign countries.

    Xi?ˉan has a population of over 7 millions. There are over 50 universities and colleges, ranking the third in terms of the number of tertiary educational institute in China, so the average level of education of the citizens ranks the first in China. As Xi?ˉan is located in the north, the local dialect belongs to the Northern Chinese language family. Therefore, Mandarin is commonly used by the local people in their daily communication. As a result, it helps to create an ideal language environment for those who come to study the language.

    The presidents of every term of the University have attached great importance to the international collaboration. Now the University maintains active scholarly and academic collaboration with 63 universities and institutions in over 30 countries. The International Chinese Language Institute is affiliated to the International Exchange and Cooperation Division of SNU. As an important window of the University for opening to the outside world, it assumes the great mission of training overseas students who come to China to study Chinese and Chinese culture and history. It also undertakes the task of training teachers of Chinese from abroad. There is a Chinese Language Research Institute, specialized in doing research in Chinese teaching. It has fostered over 3000 foreign students since the 1960s and has accumulated rich experience in teaching and management of overseas students. Through decades of development, it has formed a team of over 60 faculty members including both full-time and part-time teachers. Among the full-time teachers 95 percent have obtained the credentials for teaching Chinese as a foreign language granted by China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language (NOCFL).

    Due to the ongoing support by the University leaders, its own continuous effort and the first-class teaching qualification, the Institute has enlarged its enrollment year by year. It has an enrollment of around 350 coming from over 10 countries. Over recent years, the number of long-term students enrolled in the Institute makes up 22% of the total population of overseas students within Shaanxi province. As for education and administration, we are quite flexible in curriculum design, student enrollment, selection of appropriate classes according to their language level, etc. The Institute opens both degree courses and non-degree courses which are not only focused on language training. We offer full-year courses, Chinese preparation classes, and short-term intensified training programs during breaks. Following the principle of suiting instruction to the student?ˉs level, we offer different kinds of teaching modes in terms of the length of a teaching program, the size of a class, the textbook selection, curriculum design and the teaching pace so as to perfectly meet the needs of all levels of students.

    Because of its rich teacher resources, excellent administration and qualified services, the institute has established its good reputation in west China. It has won trust and favorable comments from both the international students and many foreign cultural agencies in China. It has been authorized by NOCFL as site for obtaining ?°National Credentials for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language?±. With its prestige, it has become the best choice for international students to study Mandarin.

    Our patient, friendly staff have been dealing with international students for so many years that they can provide a high standard of support to international students and can deal rapidly and efficiently with any questions you may have or get advice you may need.

    Quite experienced as program consultants they are able to help you on a wide range of subjects including:

A. Airport pick- ups: Long-term students are entitled to enjoy free airport pick-up.
B. Housing service: Upon your arrival our staff will help you find proper accommodation off the campus or make accommodation arrangement on the campus: arranging for you to stay at the campus hotel which is originally designed to accommodate international students.
C. Applying for sojourn residence permit: Upon your enrollment our staff will help you to apply for residence permit, and other certifications.
D. Other services: As an international student of SNU, you are welcome to participate in local trips organized by the International Exchange & Cooperation Division which are to be held quite frequently.

    Thanks to the international vision of the leaders of the University, they have paid much attention to the development of the education of overseas students. Apart from the awareness of upgrading the teaching quality, they have also made active effort to enlarge the scale of financial support. Qixiayuan Hotel with 11 floors is a modern international student dormitory building. It is equipped with a huge Chinese restaurant and a large sacred western restaurant which can perfectly satisfy the different tastes of international students. The campus supermarket and the affiliated primary school and kindergarten are just around the corner. All these provide the international students with a very comfortable and convenient learning and living environment. For the long-term tenants, they only need to pay $4 per night for rent without paying extra expenses for electricity, water and other facilities they use.

    In order to apply for the base for teaching Chinese as a foreign language, enlarge the scale and better the conditions for setting up the school the authority appropriated 3,000,000 for the complete decoration of the two international student buildings which cover approximately 5,000 square meters. The new buildings can hold 500 students, being equipped with 2 multi-media classrooms with advanced equipment, 6 language labs, a computer lab with 45 computers, reading room and file room with a collection of 8000 volumes, large-scale conference room, multi-function halls, student?ˉs lounge with coffee tables and leather sofas, and entertainment rooms with sporting facilities, etc. All the teaching facilities and furniture have been renewed. Each classroom utilizes whiteboard equipped with air-conditioner. The Institute has become a happy and comfortable place for students to learn and live.

    Whatever your reason for study and wherever you come from SNU will provide you with a challenging and rewarding experience. We are looking forward to seeing you soon.