Chinese

China, which has had two thousand years of exchange with Japan, is no longer just a neighboring country but has emerged as a major power with significant global influence. It could be said that China is aiming to establish new standards, different from the Western ones to which Japanese people are accustomed.

At Keio University, various academic fields related to China and Asia are studied. In the Faculty of Letters, for example, in addition to Major in Asian History and Major in Chinese Literature, there is a great deal of research on Chinese and Asian culture, society, and regions within majors such as Sociology, Education, Japanese Literature, and Archaeology and Ethnology. For those who aspire to conduct such research, learning Chinese is essential. Furthermore, Chinese can be a powerful asset not only for research but also in job hunting and the business world. This will open up prospects for developing your own approach to engaging with not only China but also various other "worlds."

The Chinese language program at the Faculty of Letters aims to develop comprehensive skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. At all levels, from beginner to the most advanced, the curriculum is designed for students to take both grammar- and reading-focused classes and conversation-focused classes. The conversation-focused classes are all taught by native-speaking instructors, providing many opportunities to speak Chinese to ensure the development of well-rounded language skills that are not limited to just reading and writing.

We offer classes at three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Classes at all levels meet three times a week.

Beginner classes are for complete beginners. Two of the three weekly classes are taught by Japanese instructors and focus mainly on pronunciation and Pinyin (the romanized phonetic system for Chinese), grammar, and practical application (e.g., exercises). One class is taught by a native-speaking instructor and focuses on pronunciation, listening, and conversation practice.

Intermediate classes are for students who have studied Chinese for about one to two years. This includes, for example, those who took Chinese in high school or have passed Level 4 of the Test of Chinese Proficiency. Two of the three weekly classes are taught by Japanese instructors and are designed to review and build on beginner-level grammar, expand vocabulary, and improve reading comprehension. One class is taught by a native-speaking instructor, who conducts the class as much as possible in Chinese to practically train students' listening and speaking skills.

Advanced classes are for learners at a level equivalent to or higher than Level 2 of the Test of Chinese Proficiency or HSK Level 5. The three weekly classes are divided into composition, conversation, and reading, and aim to further enhance each skill. The composition and conversation classes are taught by native-speaking instructors.

We offer classes at three levels: intermediate, advanced, and highest-level. Generally, students who took the beginner course at Hiyoshi take the intermediate course, those who took the intermediate course take the advanced course, and those who took the advanced course take the highest-level course. Classes at all levels meet twice a week.

In the intermediate classes, one of the two weekly classes is taught by a Japanese instructor and is designed to review and build on beginner-level grammar, expand vocabulary, and improve reading comprehension. The other class is taught by a native-speaking instructor to practically train students' listening and speaking skills.

In the advanced classes, one of the two weekly classes is taught by a Japanese instructor and aims to improve reading comprehension through the reading of Chinese texts. The other class is taught by a native-speaking instructor and works to improve students' listening and speaking skills.

In the highest-level classes, the two weekly sessions are divided into conversation and reading/composition classes, aiming to further enhance each skill. All classes are taught by native-speaking instructors.

Since ancient times, Japan has learned a great deal from Chinese culture. Against a complex historical backdrop, the time has now come to build a reciprocal relationship. The ease of travel between our neighboring countries—a flight of only about three hours—is a significant advantage. Many businesses and international students move between Japan and China, and many young Chinese people enjoy Japanese pop culture, such as dramas and anime. Learning the Chinese language will offer you the potential for both the joy of discovering our shared cultural heritage and the pleasure of encountering a sense of otherness that is at once near and far.

China is a multiethnic nation with a population of 1.4 billion Chinese nationals, accounting for approximately one-fifth of the world's total population. Each phrase you learn, starting with "你好! Nǐhǎo!" (Hello!), will become a skill that opens a wide window onto the world for you.

Q1: Why do some courses with the same instructor, day, and time period have "I" and "II" at the end of their names?

A1: 'I' indicates a course offered in the spring semester, while 'II' indicates one offered in the fall semester. All Chinese language courses are sequential courses. Therefore, you must register for both 'I' and 'II' as a set.

Q2: How are grades determined?

A2: Both the course structure and grading are managed on a full-year basis. For required courses, the final grade for parts 'I' and 'II' will be issued together at the end of the academic year. Please also refer to the *Course Registration Guide*.