Learning a new language opens up a whole new culture. A foreign language gives us access to another culture, and our lives take on a new dimension. As the great German poet, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, said in 1827: “Whoever is not acquainted with foreign languages knows nothing of his own.” Seen like that, learning a language is almost comparable to a journey of discovery. By learning a new language, you gain new horizons and a stronger personality by reinforcing your own identity, and therefore also your self-confidence.

    Learning a new language is also economically beneficial. The typical profile expected from future business leaders fully reflects the demands of the globalised world. Knowledge of Chinese in particular improves one’s chances on the job market. Many Chinese companies abroad, many foreign companies in China, and companies with close links to China look for employees with language skills.

    Why should we learn Chinese? As the TOEFL fever gradually fades away in the Chinese mainland, the HSK (the Chinese Proficiency Test), or the “Chinese TOEFL”, tends to be more and more popular amongst foreigners. The rapid and stable development of Chinese economy has made Chinese language education an irresistible trend in the world.

    Established in 1980s, the HSK was initially targeted at foreign students then to study in China. Later, it was introduced abroad. At present mote than 100 exam centers have already been put up in 27 countries around the world. Up to the end of 2002, a total of 540,000 people have taken the exam, and the number of 140,000 participants in the exam that year hit a record high in history.

    Language, as indicated in the remarks made by Zhang Xinsheng, Vice Minister of Education, in his visit to the China National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language, is a comprehensive expression of a country’s political, economic, diplomatic strength, and cultural and educational strength as well. The world’s growing demand for the Chinese language, which has never happened before, tells the worlds prediction for China’s future. Countries in the world are actively seeking for help and assistance in Chinese language teaching.

    At CNU, we understand this new demand for learning Chinese by foreigners. This is why our immersion programs aim at integrating all aspects of the language through a carefully panned-out curriculum and schedule of classes and trained teachers who are native speakers of Mandarin.