Frequently Asked Questions

 · Enrollment and PTE (Permission to Enroll) Numbers

 · Placement (and Proficiency) Tests

 · Types of Classes, Course Sequential Issues, and Sessions

 · Chinese Character Systems

Enrollment and PTE (Permission to Enroll) Numbers: 2006-2007

1) Q: I am generally lost as to which class is suitable for me to take. What should I do?

A: You should take the placement test. The instructors will place you in a class based on the result of your test. If you have taken the test in the past and are still not sure what course to take, we suggest that you go to the placement test and talk to an instructor.

2) Q: Do I need a PTE number in order to enroll in a Chinese class?

A: Yes, you do, even if you are taking Chinese 1. The only exception may be that you have taken a prerequisite course and plan to continue to the next in sequence (e.g. from CHIN 1 to CHIN 2, from CHIN 3A to CHIN 4A, CHIN 5C to CHIN 6C etc.).

3) Q: Can students in CHIN 5C-6C move on to CHIN 100A-B-C or CHIN 101A-B?

A: No, due to the nature of CHIN 5C-6C, students are not allowed to move on to the upper level.

4) Q: If I need a PTE, will I be receiving one on the first day of class or can I get one from the instructor before class starts (such as during a break)?

A: Normally you will get your PTE from the instructor (or TA) on the first day of class. PTEs are generally not given out during breaks.

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Types of Classes, Course Sequential Issues, and Sessions

5) Q: What do the Chinese language course numbers mean?

A: At the moment the Chinese language courses are numbered as follows:

*Classical Chinese courses do not necessarily confine to the same categories for Modern Chinese.

6) Q: Can I switch from the heritage track to the non-heritage track, for example, after taking CHIN 3A, can I take CHIN 4, or from CHIN 5 to CHIN 6A, or vice versa?

A: In general switching is not allowed unless it is explicitly recommended by the instructors involved. As the chart above indicates, students in CHIN 1-2-3 can be expected to move up to CHIN 4-5-6, while students in CHIN 1A-2A-3A can be expected to move up to CHIN 4A-5A-6A. The 100 and 101 courses do not offer separate tracks for heritage and non-heritage students.

7) Q: Can I take courses out of sequence, e.g. after taking CHIN 100A can I take CHIN 6?

A: Backward sequencing (from a higher level course down to a lower level one) is strictly prohibited, unless you have taken and failed the higher level course. Skipping lower level courses to a higher level (e.g. from 5 straightly to 100A thus skipping 6) may be allowed in very rare cases. This may happen, for example, if you have had a study abroad experience after you take the lower level class.

NB: Students who take courses out of sequence and in a backward manner without the written permission of a Chinese language faculty and/or the undergraduate advisor will face the risk of receiving no credits for the courses taken.

8) Q: Can I simultaneously take courses at different levels, e.g. CHIN 101A and CHIN 6A?

A: No. This is essentially the same as 'backward sequencing', a situation described above. Students who do so will face the risk of receiving no credits for the courses taken.

9) Q: What is the situation with Mandarin for Cantonese Speakers? What foreign language requirements can this course sequence fulfill?

A: Mandarin for Cantonese Speakers includes two courses, CHIN 5C and 6C. It is considered an intermediate level course sequence. Successful completion of the sequence can fulfill two years of foreign language requirements. (See also Question #3 above.)

10) Q: Is the Classical Chinese course sequence, 110A-B-C, a higher level sequence than, say, CHIN 101A-B?

A: No. Classical Chinese is a completely different sequence from all the modern Chinese language sequences. There is no hierarchy implied with regard to the numbers for Classical Chinese and Modern Chinese. It is, therefore, allowable for a student to take 110B (Classical Chinese) simultaneously with 100B (Modern Chinese).

11) Q: Some of the classes have a dual format: lecture and drill section. Can I go to only one of those sessions for such reasons as conflict of schedule?

A: No. If a course has both lecture sessions and drill sections, there will be different emphases for different sessions, and they are integrated components of the same course. Students can not skip either one of them.

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Chinese Character Systems

12) Q: As you know, there are two writing systems used for Chinese: the simplifiedand the traditional. Which system will be used in the class?

A: We encourage students to familiarize themselves with both systems; however, in many classes the students are given the choice to use either system.

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Last updated: July 2006