Chinese

Mandarin Chinese is the most widely used language in the world, spoken by more than 1 billion people. The language is spoken not only in the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan but also in Chinese communities throughout the world. China itself is the world’s most populous nation and is one of the United States’ largest trading partners. It also sports the second largest economy in the world.

With a minor in Chinese, coupled with other areas of study, students at Pacific can prepare for and be competitive in a wide variety of careers, such as international affairs, business, tourism, education, journalism, humanities and social sciences. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, employees with foreign language skills can expect a labor market for translators and interpreters that will grow much faster than other areas of employment.

In addition, English is considered a necessary language for many Chinese people, and English teachers for preschool to university level courses are in high demand because of China’s fast growing economy. Those who know Chinese will be able to take advantage of teaching and other work opportunities in China as well as with organizations and industries that do business there. Graduates of Pacific University have found work in China as teachers.

Program Highlights

• Learn basic linguistic skills together with application of cultural awareness in the first two years
• Emphasis placed on developing speaking, reading and writing skills
• Opportunities to use the newest and most up-to-date interactive language software to build, practice and text language ability

More Information

World Langauages
Fast Fact

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Courses

Courses offered for the Chinese minor at Pacific include language skills in listening, reading and writing as well as spoken conversation. Communication competence as well as cultural awareness is a highlight of the curriculum.

Through the CLIC, American students at Pacific will engage in coursework with students in other nations around the world, in real time, via advanced video conferencing technology.