|
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CHINESE |
|
|
How many letters does the Chinese alphabet have? Unlike most languages, the Chinese language does not use letters. Instead, ideograms (which are symbols that represent a meaning rather than a syllable or a phoneme) are used. There are approximately 47,000 ideograms in the Chinese language.
I want to start learning Chinese, but am intimidated. Will it really be that difficult and how long will it take me to communicate? While Chinese is certainly an intimidating and challenging language, with dedication and motivation, students will be successful. For everyday communication, students must be familiar with approximately 800 ideograms. This can be achieved in about 2 years. At this level, students should be adequately prepared to take the basic level HSK exam.
How long will it take to perfect my knowledge of the Chinese language? Proficiency of the Chinese language can take a lifetime to attain. This is due to the vast number of ideograms. In fact, even native speakers of the Chinese language are unfamiliar with most Chinese ideograms. Indicative of this is the fact that even Chinese university graduates (native speakers) are familiar with only, on average, 5.000 ideograms (out of approximately 47.000).
Why should I learn Chinese? Is it worth the effort? Of course! It is a well known fact that China is a growing economic superpower. Its economy is the fourth largest in the world and is rapidly expanding. China is a leader in many industries, including shipping, telecommunications, automobiles and information technology. Job opportunities in China, especially in light of the upcoming 2008 Olympic Games, are seemingly endless.
Who is usually interested in learning Chinese?Most people who decide to learn Chinese come from the fields of shipping, trade and finance. There are also those who are interested in working in China during the Olympic Games or who simply want to familiarize themselves with such a rich culture. Students who study finance or law or those who study at polytechnic universities often choose to learn Chinese.
What are the necessary prerequisites for joining a Chinese class? A prerequisite for learning the Chinese language is a good knowledge of English, since English is the language of instruction in class. Chinese instruction can begin during adolescence, as long as the student already possesses a solid foundation in the English language.
Are the Chinese lessons taught by Chinese teachers? All teachers who teach Chinese at Siountri School of Foreign Language are Chinese and speak English and Chinese.
What diplomas are available to certify Chinese language levels?There are three Chinese language certificates available: HSK basic level, HSK intermediate level and HSK advanced level.
When will the first Chinese language examination be available? The first examination for the certification of knowledge of the Chinese language took place on October 21, 2006. Chinese language examinations are organized by the International Chinese Office for Teaching Chinese as a Second Language.
|
