Chinese Studies program
One out of five people on the planet speaks Chinese.
You can join them! Studying Chinese will complement any area of study and will set you apart in the job market. China has the second largest economy in the world and is the second largest trading partner of the U.S. While Chinese is an important language on the global stage, it is also popular in the U.S. as the third most spoken language in the country.
In UWL’s Chinese Studies minor, students learn not only how to listen, read and write in Chinese, but they also learn about Chinese culture, language skills in business context, the development of the Chinese civilization and more. In addition to the minor, students can also boost their credentials with a Chinese Proficiency Certificate. All courses are taught by a native speaker of Chinese with a doctoral degree in second language acquisition and language pedagogy.
A program within the Department of Global Cultures & Languages
What can you do with a Chinese Studies minor?
U.S. employers are increasingly interested in employees who can speak Chinese. Employer surveys show a rising demand for foreign language proficiency in the U.S. workplace with nine out of 10 employers reporting a reliance on U.S.-based employees with language skills other than English.
Work abroad
Because curriculum emphasizes internationalization and intercultural competence, graduates are well-equipped to work abroad. Many opportunities are available to teach English in China with more than 300 million people in China learning English every year, according to International TEFL Academy. Graduates also find opportunities working for non-profit organizations through global programs such as the Fulbright Scholars Program, Council on International Educational Exchange and more.
Fields where Chinese is an asset
- Travel
- International business
- Education
- Legal system
- Marketing
- U.S government agencies
- Hospitality
- Law enforcement
- Human resources
- Communication
What distinguishes UWL’s Chinese Studies program?
UWL is one of two campuses in the Universities of Wisconsin that offers a Chinese Studies minor.
Chinese is an excellent minor to partner with all majors.
Boost your credentials with a Chinese Proficiency Certificate. This certificate requires four semesters of Chinese language courses starting from CHI101. The certificate is not open to Chinese Studies minors.
Students can start at the introductory level or, based on their language proficiency, earn retroactive credits from previous Chinese classes.
All students who are interested in Chinese culture and language are welcome to join the Chinese Culture Club. Contact Professor Hongying Xu for more information.
Students in the program have opportunities to engage with the local Chinese community and practice speaking skills with native Chinese speakers. They also engage with students at local schools, sharing language, culture and games.
The Department of Global Cultures and Languages strongly encourages all majors and minors to study abroad, so they can improve their language proficiency and further develop their cross-cultural preparation. Programs are also an opportunity to earn both program and general education credit.
Internship opportunities are available that involve Chinese language.