Chinese

Why study Chinese at the UofA?

Learning the Chinese language/culture opens doors to incredible opportunities in career and life domestically and globally!

It shows initiative, intellectual curiosity, global awareness, and a willingness and capability to embrace new challenges – qualities that impress employers and grad schools alike.

• Gain more job opportunities as numerous employers require some knowledge of Chinese language/culture
• Open doors to the world’s 2^nd largest economy – China, with its vast market
• Better understand people in the U.S. since Chinese is the 3rd most-spoken language in U.S. homes
• Connect with 1.4 billion people worldwide and build a more global network
• Gain access to 3,500 years of rich culture and ancient wisdom
• Experience one of the oldest yet most vibrant civilizations in the world firsthand
• Stand out from the crowd
• Boost brainpower, making you a more well-rounded and adaptable thinker
• Be a more informed and enlightened person with diverse perspectives
• Enhance intercultural competence and global readiness in our increasingly globalized world

Knowing the Chinese language/culture makes you a more competitive job candidate in:

• Business, Economics, and Marketing
• Science, Technology, and Engineering
• Communication and Journalism
• International Relations, Political Science, and Law
• History and Anthropology
• Literature and Philosophy
• Healthcare and Medicine
• Arts and Entertainment
• Agriculture and Food Science
• Education, Social Work, Non-Profit Work
• Urban Planning, Architecture, and Environmental Studies
• Fashion and Design
• Tourism and Hospitality
• and many other fields!

Our Chinese Program focuses on preparing students for success in their careers and lives with the future in mind.

We are passionate about supporting student success through our inclusive curriculum and individualized instruction.

• A Chinese Minor (with a Business Concentration but can benefit all majors, as we focus on not only language but also culture)
• All levels of language courses taught by award-winning and enthusiastic faculty
• Innovative culture courses taught in English that require no language background and focus on intercultural competence and analytical skills that will not be replaced by AI
• Chinese Conversation Table featuring interactive peer learning
• Immersive Chinese cultural events
• Chinese Language & Culture Club

— Dr. Danjie Su, Chinese Program Director

 

 

Danjie Su, PhD. - Director, Chinese Program

Associate Professor of Chinese and Applied Linguistics

Li Yang - Instructor of Chinese

Prof. Danjie Su is a Chinese linguist and applied linguist known for her work on Lens, with over two dozen publications and nearly two decades of teaching experience, including at UCLA where she won a departmental teaching award. Dr. Su also advises Honors, M.A., and Ph.D. students. Dr. Su has been invited to review for major international publishers and two dozen top-tier journals and was awarded “Top 1% in Field” (Top Reviewer for Social Sciences) in the Publons Global Peer Review Awards.

Prof. Li Yang is the university-wide winner of the prestigious Imhoff Award in 2023, which recognizes exceptional faculty who excel in teaching introductory courses and mentoring students at all levels. With nearly two decades of teaching experience and loved by all her students, Prof. Yang excels in making Chinese easy and fun to learn for her numerous students!