Table of Contents:

1. Why study Chinese at Harvard-Westlake School?
2. Can I start Chinese I as a 10th grader?
3. Can I be placed in Chinese II, or even advanced levels, on upper school campus without taking Chinese I in 9th grade?
4. What kind of characters do we teach, traditional or simplified?
5. What kind of phonetic system do we use for pronunciation?
6. Do we have a Chinese AP course?

Q1. Why study Chinese at Harvard-Westlake School?
A. Chinese is a language spoken by about 1.3 billion people, or, over a quarter of humanity, in China and overseas Chinese communities around the world. China is now among the major trading partners of the U.S, and economic links and other international cooperations will grow stronger in the future. English-Chinese bilingual experts in law, international relations, economy, trade, management, and technology will be in high demand. On the other hand, Chinese cultural heritage, especially its wisdom in philosophy and strategy, is also a treasure that benifits not only Chinese but all of humanity.

The Chinese language program at Harvard-Westlake School was initiated in 1994 as a three year course on the upper school campus and recognized as a core foreign language curriculum in 1998. Since 1999, the program extended to Chinese I for the 9th graders on middle school campus. This has resulted in a Chinese IV course in 2002. As a four-year series, our Chinese program lays a solid foundation of this language, from elementary and intermediate level, to prepare the students for their advanced studies in Chinese at college.

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Q2. Can I start Chinese I as a 10th grader?
A. Unfortunately, no. We are not able to offer Chinese I on upper campus currently. Beginners must enroll Chinese I as a second foreign languege when they choose their courses for 9th grade and then continue the study on the upper campus.

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Q3. Can I be placed in Chinese II on upper school campus without taking Chinese I in the 9th grade?
A. Yes, if you have learned previously and have the equivalent knowledge. You need to pass our placement test, however. Please contact your 9th grade deans to arrange the placement test in advance, as you are planning for 10th grade studies. You may also contact the Chinese instructor for advice.

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Q4. What kind of characters do we teach, traditional or simplified?
A. We teach both. Our basic textbooks are all compiled in both traditional and simplified version. Additional reading materials may be in either traditional or simplified version, depending on the publishing sources. We encourage students to practice themselves to be able to recognize both versions while allowing them to choose either to write. We made this decision based on the reality we are facing and believe that this is the best way to make students to be knowledgeable and practical.

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Q5. What kind of phonetic system do we use for pronunciation?
A. We use pinyin. This system is Romanticized. It is easier to learn by Americans and useful for computerized input of Chinese characters.

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Q6. Do we have a Chinese AP course?
A. The AP test has not been ready for the nation yet. Nevertheless, we have promoted the Chinese IV up to an honors course since fall 2003.

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