PRC Study offers extra-curricular elective workshops to further help participants with their Chinese language and cultural learning experience. Elective workshops are made up of a series of classes, which are held either in the afternoon or early evening. Taught by qualified and experienced teachers or experts, the electives may focus on language development skills or learning more about Chinese culture, history and art. The number of workshops offered within each of the two categories below varies depending on program duration and may include the following:

Chinese Language , which includes the following electives:

Chinese Character Writing and Reading, Chinese Composition, Chinese Idioms, Chinese Pronunciation, and Chinese Pronunciation Improvement

Chinese History and Arts , which includes the following electives:

Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Culture, Chinese Drawing and Painting, Chinese Games, Chinese History, Chinese Songs, Tai Ji Quan, Traditional Chinese Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine

Elective workshops are provided free of charge for participants enrolled in the Premium and Corporate Premium package programs. Elective workshops are also available for those participants enrolled in the Regular programs for an additional fee. Cost varies depending on elective workshop chosen. Availability of workshops varies throughout the year. For more information, please contact PRC Study at info@prcstudy.com

Description of Extra-Curricular Elective Workshops

The number of electives offered varies depending on program duration and may include the following:

Chinese Language Focused Electives

Chinese Character Writing and Reading

The aim of this workshop is to teach students learn to read and write Chinese characters (hanzi), by introducing the radical system (bushou), also referred to as the composition of Chinese characters. Students will also learn of the different brush strokes (bihua) and brush stroke order (bishun) used in writing Chinese characters. Students will learn simple to complex Chinese characters, step by step from easy to difficult. As part of this process, students will also learn to read hanzi, as well as how to use the Chinese dictionary.

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Chinese Composition

The main purpose of the course is to help students become familiar with Chinese writing methods, as well as to improve their ability to express themselves in Chinese. Students will learn common Chinese characters and a range of model sentences, so as to better understand, remember and use Chinese characters. Participants will also be presented with a wide range of Chinese phrases, drills, and writing styles and patterns. Students will learn to analyze Chinese writing paragraph by paragraph and learn the differences between speaking Chinese and writing Chinese composition.

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Chinese Idioms (Cheng Yu)

Amongst the Chinese community, someone who is able to master the use of many Chinese idioms ( cheng yu ) is considered to have good command of Chinese (i.e. a well-educated scholar) and is thus considered as respectable. Chinese idioms often contain literal allusions, derived from historical stories. The idioms generally consist of phrases that do not follow normal grammatical language rules and can have both idiomatic and literal meanings. While there exists linguistic constructs, word groupings and phrases similar to English idioms, cheng yu are often made of a fixed number of Chinese characters, usually four, whose pronunciations tend to rhyme. This aim of this workshop is to help students learn of different Chinese idiomatic expressions for use in their daily Chinese spoken conversations.

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Chinese Pronunciation

The aim of this workshop is to help beginner students form a solid foundation and quickly master the art of Chinese pronunciation. Using modern and scientific teaching methods under the instruction of experienced and qualified teachers, students will be given a chance to learn and further develop their Chinese pronunciation skills through various drills.

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Chinese Pronunciation Improvement Class

The aim of this workshop is to help intermediate and advanced level students to correct and improve their Chinese pronunciation skills. Experienced teachers will instruct the class with the aid of modern phonetic teaching aids. Through group practice and individual monitoring, teachers will help each student to fully comprehend Chinese phonetic knowledge, correct errors in their Chinese pronunciation, and lay a solid foundation for future Chinese studies.

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Chinese History and Arts Focused Electives

Chinese Calligraphy

Chinese Calligraphy has a long history in China and has contributed valuable cultural wealth to the Chinese society. Chinese calligraphy uses Chinese words as its vehicle of expression. One does not have to know Chinese to appreciate its beauty for calligraphy is considered an abstract art. Over the past few thousand years, various styles of Chinese calligraphy have evolved. It is said that Chinese calligraphy can reveal one's personality. To the artist, calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body to choose the best style in expressing the content of the passage. This form of art is most relaxing, and can nurture one's physical and spiritual well-being. This aim of this workshop is to introduce students to various forms of Chinese calligraphy and to allow students to design their own work of art.

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Chinese Culture and Traditions

China's culture is rich and colouful, amazing and spectacular. In this workshop, participants will be given a chance to get a glimpse into the various aspects of Chinese culture and find out more about its people as well. Holidays, traditions, comparisons between China and the western societies, and much more will also be covered.

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Chinese Drawing and Painting

The aim of this workshop is to provide students with an introduction to the art of Chinese Drawing and Painting by examining various paintings from figures, landscape, to flowers-and-birds. Students will have the chance to learn about the conventions and traditions associated with this form of Chinese art, learn the basic elements required for traditional Chinese watercolor painting, as well as be able to create their own masterpiece!

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Chinese Games

This aim of this workshop is to introduce students to various Chinese games, such as Mah-jong, Chinese Chess, drinking games and so on. Fun and perhaps mentally challenging, this will introduce participants to some common pastimes that Chinese people use to spend their free time with friends. Not only will participants learn new Chinese words associated with the games, they will begin to learn of Chinese strategies and more about Chinese culture when playing such games.

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Chinese History

This workshop will give students a chronological introduction to China's very long history. Students can get an overview of the various dynasties, learn about past emperors, get insights about the opium war, discover more about Dr. Sun Yat Sun and Chairman Mao, leading to understanding how the People's Republic of china was formed.

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Chinese Songs

In the Chinese Songs workshops, participants will be learn to sing Chinese folk and latest pop songs, as well as the meaning of the lyrics. Lyrics are in pinyin and Hanzi. This workshop is an excellent way to deepen your understanding of Chinese culture and language, especially for those who appreciate music.

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Tai Ji Quan

Tai Ji Quan can be considered a form of martial arts that focuses on meditation. Many participants learn Tai Ji Quan movements for spiritual, mental and physical relaxation. The art of Tai Ji Quan has many layers of knowledge built into it. Its main aim is directed towards cultivating one's code of ethics. In order to improve one's Tai Ji Quan techniques and master the art form, one has to be humble and hardworking, and willing and eager to learn with efforts and persistent.

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Traditional Chinese Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

The aim of this workshop is to introduce participants to Traditional Chinese Massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine. Both of these are ancient Chinese concepts holding the belief that herbal medicine and massage can relieve the human body of illnesses. Participants will learn about the various diagnostic methods and forms of treatment, including pressure points, and view first-hand methods of cupping, acupuncture, and more.

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