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Chinese-Specific FAQ
For answers to general questions regarding your language study, please go back
and check “Frequently Asked Questions”
* How to understand the structure of U-M Chinese language courses
The U-M Chinese language curriculum consists of two categories: (A) FOUNDATION courses (also called CORE courses) and (B) APPLICATION courses, i.e., courses that emphasize language application or serve a special purpose.
In the first three years, core courses are offered on two parallel tracks, the regular track and the Mandarin-speakers’ track. Generally speaking, the regular track starts from scratch and helps students to develop in all the aspects of the language year by year. The Mandarin-speakers’ track, on the other hand, focuses on reading and writing abilities while still trying to improve students’ oral competence. All core Chinese language courses (except Asianlan 101) carry an enforced prerequisite. They are listed under Asianlan in the university course catalogue as follows (in brackets is the number of credits):
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Regular Track
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Mandarin Speakers’ Track
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1st Year
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101(5), 102(5)
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104(4)
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2nd Year
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201(5), 202(5)
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204(4)
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3rd Year
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301(5), 302(5)
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304(4)
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4th Year
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401(4), 402(4)
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It must be pointed out, however, that the two tracks are not actually divided by ethnic family backgrounds. Many students of Chinese heritage are placed on the regular track because they do not speak Chinese or Mandarin as their native language. On the other hand, non-Chinese students with outstanding oral ability in Chinese have been placed onto the Mandarin speakers’ track.
The two tracks will merge at the fourth-year level, when Asianlan 304 students are expected to join Asianlan 302 students into Asianlan 401 classes.
Application courses—those that emphasize language application or serve a special purpose—cannot be used to fulfill a language requirement, and they all have an advisory prerequisite.
* When (fall, winter, summer) certain courses are typically offered
On the regular track, Asianlan 101, 201, 301, and 401 are always offered in the fall semester, and 102, 202, 302, and 402 are always offered in the winter semester. On the Mandarin speakers’ track, 104 and 304 are offered in the fall, and 204 in both fall and winter. Other courses are offered on the basis of need and feasibility. However, the first course in a two-course series (such as Asianlan 405, Chinese for the Professions I), is usually offered in the fall semester, and the second in the series (such as Asianlan 406, Chinese for the Professions II) in the winter semester. All the 10-credit intensive courses are offered in the summer only.
* How to transfer credits from another school or program
For this issue, you should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and academic advisors in your own college or school. If they ask for verification, an assessment, or a recommendation from the Chinese Language Program, you should contact the current director of the program. At the scheduled meeting with the Chinese Language Program director, you will be expected to present the following: program descriptions (if any), course syllabi (if any), instructional materials, official transcripts, instructors' letters (if any), and other supporting documents or materials.
* When and where to take a proficiency test, and what if you miss it
The Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK), the Chinese Proficiency Test officially sponsored and developed by the PRC educational authorities, is offered two times in Michigan every school year. The Fall HSK is regularly offered on the U-M campus around the end of October. The Spring HSK, which is administered by local Chinese schools, usually takes place in mid May at a location close to Detroit. If you have missed a test in the fall, you can wait for a year or take the following test in the spring by registering with Detroit area Chinese Schools. Detailed information about HSK can be accessed at https://www.lsa.umich.edu/asian/language/chinese/hsk.html
* When and where to take a placement test, and what if you miss it
Fall placement regularly takes place on the Friday before Labor Day, starting at 1:00 PM. Winter placement is scheduled on a Friday around the end of November and usually starts at 3:00PM. Test locations are announced at http://www.lsa.umich.edu/asian/language/placement_test
Missing a placement test could put your placement in jeopardy although you may still contact the instructor of your target course to see if you can be helped.
If you are a student on the campus and want to take a Chinese language course in the fall, you do not have to wait for the group test in the fall. You are encouraged to contact the instructor of your target course as early as in the winter and schedule a test on an individual basis.
* What to be found in the placement test
The placement test is consisted of a written test and an oral interview. The written test is basically translation of a few designated passages from English into Chinese. For students who want to take third or fourth-year courses, an essay of 400 characters based on a provided short article in Chinese (in both simplified and traditional characters) will also be required. The oral interview, which immediately follows the written test, is a conversation with one of the Chinese faculty members. Some of the questions will be based on the materials being used at a relevant level in our program.
* How to choose a Chinese language course
Please be reminded that only core Chinese courses (i.e., foundation courses) can be used to fulfill a language requirement. If you are a true beginner, you can just go ahead register for Asianlan 101, First-Year Chinese I, which does not carry a prerequisite. Otherwise, you will need to take the placement test if you have not taken Chinese language courses at U-M in the past two years. Students with a Chinese origin may or may not be placed on the Mandarin speakers’ track, depending on their actual oral proficiency levels.
If your purpose goes beyond a language requirement, you can take core courses at higher levels or courses that emphasize language application or serve a special purpose. A core course carries an enforced prerequisite, so you will need a placement test to get in if you do not yet have a record of past Chinese studies with U-M. An application course has an advisory prerequisite for open registration; however, you may be advised to move down or up if your proficiency warrants.
* Whether to learn traditional or simplified characters
On the regular track in our program, we start with traditional characters at the first-year level. This is because traditional characters carry more information, which is helpful to beginners. It is also because transition is easier from traditional to simplified characters than the opposite. Our second-year textbooks carry both character versions, and introduction to simplified characters gradually accelerates at the third and fourth-year levels. Our goal is to enable students to eventually read in both character versions, while they can choose what to write.
On the heritage track, students read and write whichever character version they choose. Our ultimate goal, however, remains the same.
* Whether to learn Chinese word-processing
It is desirable for students of Chinese to be able to process Chinese texts on the computer. Some of our higher-level courses allow, encourage or help students to use Chinese word processing in completing assignments. At the lower levels, however, our students are expected to master character writing and hence are asked to hand-write characters in assignments.
* How to get help if you have special difficulties
You should contact your instructor if your difficulties lie in your coursework. For other affairs regarding your Chinese study, the ALC department office is a good place to turn to. If you cannot decide who to turn to, you can always contact the director of the Chinese Language Program.
For answers to general questions regarding your language study, please go back
and check “Frequently Asked Questions”
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