Martial
Arts Training Curriculum |
Highlights
of the Martial Arts Training Program include:
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Programs available
from 1 week to 1 year (40 weeks)
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Classes for beginners
to super advanced
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Many different martial
arts styles are available
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15 hours of instructions
per week from Monday to Friday
- Supervised out-of-class Martial Arts
practise and training sessions
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Highly qualified
and experienced Chinese martial arts instructors
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Many other activities,
such as the Elective Workshops and excursion to Shaolin
Temple, which are geared to helping students learn
about Chinese culture, history, arts, martial arts,
and way of life.
Martial Arts Training Curriculum
The Chinese martial arts
training curriculum consists of the following components:
basics, stretching, stances, meditation, special techniques,
forms, applications and weapons. Each style of Chinese
martial arts has its own unique training system with varying
emphasis on each of those components. Additionally, the
teaching methods are structured, systematic, and progressive
and employs philosophy and ethics which are highly regarded
by most Chinese martial arts. In fact, true Chinese martial
arts training is meant also to provide insight into Chinese
attitudes and culture.
Basics
Stuents will learn the "Basics"
which are a vital part of the foundational training, for
without this, it will be difficult for students to progress
into more advanced level of martial arts. Basics allow
for the development of strong and flexible muscles including
the management of the "Chi" (breath, or energy).
In fact, many movements of Chinese martial arts are simply
impossible to perform correctly without knowledge of the
basics. Basics are generally a simple series of simple
movements that are performed repeatedly over a short interval.
Basics include such things as stretching, stances, meditation
and special techniques.
A common saying concerning basic training
in Chinese martial arts is as follows:
It is necessary to train the mind and body both internally
and externally. External training includes the hands,
the eyes, the body and stances. Internal training includes
the heart, mind, spirit and strength.
Stretching
Students will also learn proper "Stretching"
while conducting Martial Arts training. Stretching increases
one’s range of motion, speed, power, and reduces
injuries. Common stretching exercises include general
joint rotations, as well as static and dynamic stretching.
These exercises can be performed individually or in pairs.
Different martial arts styles have different approaches
to increase the student's flexibility and those approaches
are consistent with the fundamentals of proper sports
training.
Stances
Students will be taught “Stances”
which are special postures used in Chinese martial arts
training and which generally represent the individual
elements of a form. Each style will have different names
and variations for each stance and they can be differentiated
by such factors as feet position, body weighting and body
alignment. Stance training can be practiced statically,
meaning the goal is to maintain the structure of the stance
through a set time period. Stance training can also be
practiced dynamically, meaning a series of movements is
performed repeatedly.
Meditation
Student will also learn “Meditation”
which is considered to be an important component of basic
martial arts training in many martial arts styles. Meditation
can be used to develop focus, clarity of thought, and
as a basis for qigong training which means developing
the body’s internal energy flow. Meditation when
practiced in this context does not require a religious
component.
Special Techniques
"Special techniques", considered
part of the basic exercises, are developed based on the
experience and understanding of a particular martial arts
style. Depending on the martial arts style a student chooses,
he/she will learn special techniques related to that style.
You all watched Uma Thurman when she trained under the
white haired Martial Arts Master in Kill Bill where she
had to hit a wooden board right? But the special techniques
probably won't be so brutal here!
Forms
Similar to a choreographed dance but
with more speed, explosiveness and actual fighting techniques,
“Forms” are series of techniques defined by
their stances combined so they can be practiced as one
whole set of movements. Forms need to be practical, usable,
and applicable while promoting flow, meditation, flexibility,
balance and coordination. Students will be taught how
to perform forms in order to incorporate both the internal
and external aspects of Chinese martial arts. Forms can
be performed alone by one person, but there are also "sparring"
forms, which is a combined fighting sets performed by
two or more people.
Many styles consider forms as one of the
most important practices, as they gradually build up the
practitioner's strength and flexibility, internal power,
speed and stamina, and teach balance, imagination, and
coordination. They also function as a tool for both the
students and the teacher to remember the many techniques
taught by the style, and sort them into various groups.
Application
Application training refers to the training
of putting the martial arts techniques to use. When and
how applications are taught varies from style to style,
but in the beginning, most styles focus on certain drills
where each person knows what technique is being practiced
and what to expect. Gradually, fewer and fewer rules are
applied, and the students learn how to react and feel
what technique to use, depending on the situation and
the type of opponent.
Weapons Training
Most Chinese styles also train with the
use of Chinese weapons in order to condition the body
and to further develop coordination and strategy skills.
The theory behind weapons training is to consider the
weapon as an extension of your body, while employing the
same footwork and body coordination. Weapons training
are generally offered to more advanced students who have
become proficient in the basics, forms and applications
training. The process of weapon training proceeds with
forms, forms with partners, and then applications.
Martial Arts Levels
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Novice students learn
the basic fundamentals of wushu, from strengthening
exercises, to learning various body movements, progressing
to the use of weapons.
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Advanced students will
practise more ocmplex wushu styles learning series
of movements, increasing and developing speed, coordination
and control, and focusing more on use of traditional
weapons and performing international competition routines.
For more information on Martial
Arts Teachers, Teaching Methods and Focus, please click
on Martial
Arts Teaching Standards.
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Mandarin
Chinese Language Classroom Curriculum |
As an optional component to the Martial
Arts program, students may choose to study Mandarin
Chinese at the PRC Study Academy:
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10 hours of Chinese
language instructions per week, Monday to Friday
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Classes generally held
in the afternoons
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Can choose Regular
Mandarin focusing on daily Chinese conversation or
Business Mandarin focusing more on business related
Chinese conversation
Regular
Mandarin |
These
language classes focus on everyday spoken Chinese
and incorporate all aspects of the Chinese language
including, phonetics, listening, speaking, reading,
writing, vocabulary, and grammar. |
Business
Mandarin |
These
language classes focus more on Chinese business
language and are intended for students who have
already learnt the basics of Chinese phonetics
and who know at least 800 Chinese characters /
expressions. |
The Mandarin Chinese language offers
10 hours of instructions per week from Monday to Friday
where classes will generally held in the afternoons
at the PRC Study Academy.
About the PRC Study Academy
The PRC Study Academy was established
in response to the students’ growing demand for
smaller classes and an accelerated learning environment.
Average class sizes are between 6 to 8 students. The
academy employs teachers from Tsinghua, BLCU and UIBE,
all of whom are certified by the Ministry of Education
to teach Chinese as a second language and draw on many
years of teaching experience. The Academy was refurbished
in 2004 and boasts brand new facilities, including a
comprehensive language library, computer centre, listening
lab, small and medium capacity and private classrooms.
The PRC Study Academy advocates
a ‘Mandarin Only’ policy, whereby students
are encouraged to speak Chinese at all times, wherever
possible. Programs follow the same teaching methodology
and curriculum as our partnering universities as well
as the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) Chinese language
exam syllabus. Offering a low student - teacher ratio
, the PRC Study Academy has the extra advantage of being
able to accommodate individual needs, thereby facilitating
accelerated Chinese learning.
Mandarin Chinese Language Comprehensive
Instructions
PRC
Study's Mandarin Chinese (Putonghua) Programs
incorporate all aspects of the Chinese language:
Phonetics, speaking, listening, reading, writing,
vocabulary, and grammar. T o enable students to
advance in all aspects of the Mandarin Chinese
language, classroom curriculum is divided into
the following four main areas: |
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Phonics
& Interactive Spoken Chinese
Focuses on phonetics and developing
accurate pronunciation skills and being able
to communicate clearly and effectively
Listening
Comprehension
Focuses on developing listening
skills, and the ability to discern sound and
tone patterns, to comprehending Putonghua spoken
conversations
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Grammar and Vocabulary
Focuses on Chinese grammar fundamentals,
such as sentence patterns and structures, punctuations
and word usage; and understanding and making use of
Chinese idiom expressions and vocabulary. Also, focuses
on teaching the Chinese character writing method by
introducing the fundamentals of the radical system,
brush stroke and stroke order.
Reading Comprehension and Writing
Composition
Focuses on developing reading comprehension
and writing composition skills, and increasing vocabulary
recognition and speed with which all this is done
While learning to master the Chinese
languag, uUp-to-date materials will be used to introduce
China's social and economic life, business, culture,
history, art, literature, and more.
For more information on the Mandarin
teachers, teaching methods and focus, teaching topics,
placement test, and Chinese Proficiency level, please
also click on Teaching
Standards.
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Out-Of-Class
Supervised Martial Arts Training and Practise Sessions |
Out-of-class training sessions
under the supervision of experience martial arts instructors
are available to Martial Arts studetns. The supervised
training provides more opportunities for students to improve
and enhance techniques that participants have learned
in class. Each session is 1.5 hours in length and are
available on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, generally
from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
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PRC Study provides elective workshops
to further help participants with their Chinese
language and cultural learning experience. Elective
workshops are made up of a series of classes and
are held either in the morning, afternoon or early
evening.
Taught by qualified and experienced
teachers or experts, the electives may focus on
language development skills, martial arts or learning
more about Chinese culture, history and art. The
number of workshops offered within each of the
categories below varies depending on program duration
and may include the following:
• Chinese Language
Focused Electives:
Chinese Character Writing and Reading, Chinese
Composition, Chinese Idioms, Chinese Pronunciation,
and Chinese Pronunciation Improvement
• Chinese Arts and
History Focused Electives:
Chinese Calligraphy, Chinese Culture, Chinese
Games, Chinese History, Chinese Painting, and
Chinese Songs
• Chinese
Martial Arts Focused Electives:
Taijiquan, Traditional Chinese Massage, Traditional
Chinese Medicine, Yoga, and Meditation, Chants
& Mantras
For more detailed
descriptions, please click on Elective
Workshops.
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Martial
Arts Exchange Program |
PRC Study arranges for each student
to have a local Chinese wushu student to practice wushu
together. This provides excellent opportunities to practise
martial arts with a buddy, have someone to spot-watch
and discuss various martial arts related topics, while
mastering your martial arts skills and knowledge.
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Language
Exchange Program |
Interacting with
local native speakers is an essential part of
the immersion program. At the start of the program,
PRC Study arranges for each student to have a
local Chinese student as a language buddy. Not
only does this provide the perfect opportunity
to practice Putonghua, it also enables cultural
and social exchange and an opportunity to make
new friends.
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Our brand new Language Lab is adjacent
to the PRC Study student lounge and uses audio equipment
specifically designed for language learning. Use includes
access to a large amount of listening media all of which
makes for interesting and informative learning. Designed
to match your textbooks, these tapes are optimal for practicing
your listening ability. You can also improve your own
pronunciation by recording your own voice and comparing
it to the tape.
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Use
of Library and Reference Materials |
The PRC Study library
consists not only of Chinese language books and
dictionaries to help you in your Chinese language
studies, but also a reference section on Chinese
culture, history, art and society.
There are also many
books related to martial arts, including various
books on the history and development of martial
arts, and other martial arts books related to
theory, styles, forms, training methodology, use
of energy flow, use of martial arts weapons, and
also books on Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism,
Shaolin Monastery, and the likes.
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Social
Activities, Guided Tours, and Excursions |
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PRC Study also realizes
that an added advantage in learning to master the
true meaning of Martials Arts more quickly and effectively
is to immerse and get deep into the China's rich
and colourful culture and society.
As such, PRC Study
organizes many activities, together with the participation
of native Chinese people, throughout the program
in order to facilitate cultural and social exchange,
as well as to speak Chinese!
Social, Cultural,
and Sporting Activities
A wide range of social,
cultural and sporting activities, including karaoke
sing-along, mah-jiang night, bowling happy hour,
Peking Duck feast, Peking Opera extravaganza, the
Chinese Puppet Show, Chinese Teahouse ritual, basketball,
paintball, games nights, and the likes, are organized
throughout the week to help you apply what you have
learnt in class in out-of-class settings while having
lots of fun!
Guided Tours
In addition, PRC Study
will arrange guided tours on weekends, to visit
historical landmarks like The Great Wall, Summer
Palace, Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Temple
of Heaven, Ming Tombs, Hutongs, Hotsprings, and
other famous attractions. All these touring activities
will also allow you to get better acquainted with
fellow students, as well as with local natives in
Beijing, while learning more about China's imminent
history and culture.
Excursions
From time to time on
weekends, and also during China's major national
holidays, PRC Study will organize excursions to
interesting cities within China. Past excursions
have included going to places like Shanghai, Tianjin,
Chengdu, Xian, Inner Mongolia, Kunming, Xiamen,
Dalian, Qingdao, and Shenzhen.
Also fun and interesting
is to spend the weekend living in a wooden cabin
at one of the various suburbs in Beijing and at
the same time exploring the more natural scenery
found there and playing ping pong!
Shaolin Temple
Excursion
Particularly interesting
to Martial Arts students is Shaolin Temple excursion.
Here martial arts students gets to train under Shaolin
Monks, watch Shaolin Wushu performances, as well
as visit historical temples in Song Shan Mountains
and in Henan.
Though excursions are
not included in the program fees, the cost for participation
is quite low. For instance, it can cost as low as
US$150 to $300 for an all-inclusive three-day weekend
or a week tour package, with train tickets, hotel,
meals, admission to major attractions, English speaking
guides, and bus transportation all covered.
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Student
Development Assessment and Certification |
Students' Martial Arts and Chinese language
development progress are regularly assessed throughout
the program. Semester and academic year programs also
have formal mid-terms and final examinations. Attendance
is mandatory. Students are awarded certificates at the
end of their study program.
In addition, PRC Study Quality Assurance
team will closely monitor the programs offered by the
schools and ensure that they are providing the best martial
arts training and educational services by giving them
student feedbacks.
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In summary, all of PRC Study's Mandarin
and Martial Arts programs focus on providing total immersion
into each area of study. All programs combine core Mandarin
language classes with social, cultural and sporting activities,
guided tours, weekend excursions, interaction with native
speakers; and language enhancement services, such as extra-curricular
elective workshops, language labs to listen to specially
tailored Chinese language tapes, 1-on-1 Chinese language
tutorials with expert teachers after class, language and
martial arts exchange partner pairing and an opportunity
to make many new friends, not only from China, but from
all over the world!
For more information regarding this stimulating
and exciting program please contact us via email at info@prcstudy.com.
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