Study Languages: make the world your place
Why study Chinese?
Chinese culture is both rich and far-reaching and today China is the world’s biggest trading nation and the second largest economy. As China is an increasingly important business partner of New Zealand, learning Chinese will give you the edge over other candidates for a wide variety of jobs.
Chinese at Otago
We teach Chinese language with communicative methods and at the same time develop students’ skills in speaking, reading, listening and writing. Frequent tutorials are provided to help students practise in small groups with native speakers.
At Otago, we teach Chinese culture through Chinese media, literature, politics, history, religion, and society. There is a good balance between lectures taught by teachers and seminars involving students’ discussions and presentations.
Detailed information about Chinese papers.
Diploma in Global Cultures
The Diploma in Global Cultures (DipGlobalC) prepares students for the pressing need to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for intercultural communicative competence and responsible, global citizenship.
The DipGlobalC is a separate qualification normally completed alongside a degree programme and replaces the Diploma in Language and Culture.
Go to details about programme requirements and regulations for the DipGlobalC.
Background required
You can enrol in our beginner level course (CHIN131) with NO previous knowledge of Chinese. If you already have some knowledge of Chinese (e.g. have studied it at high school, lived in China, or have been exposed to Chinese in a family setting), you may be able to enrol in a more advanced course (such as CHIN132 or CHIN231).
Career opportunities
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a major in Chinese language and culture will give you a better chance of finding jobs in tourism, education, trade, banking, mass media, interpretation/translation, as well as in foreign affairs and other government agencies.
Combining another degree with Chinese as a major or as a Diploma also increases students’ options in the job market.
Student exchange
The University of Otago offers an International Exchange Programme that is of particular benefit to language students. You may spend one or two semesters at one of Otago’s partner universities in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Besides enabling students to strengthen their language skills and deepen their cultural understanding, the exchange programme allows many students to gain important insights and preliminary contacts for their future career opportunities.
