Guangxi Normal University
Guangxi Normal University (GXNU) is located in Guilin, a beautiful
city rich in natural wonders and historical relics, well-known
for its unique, unsurpassable landscape of hills and rivers. Established
in October 1932, and following many years of creative endeavors,
the school has become a key university at the provincial level
that offers many basic and applied disciplines of liberal arts
and natural sciences, along with a great variety of other quality-oriented
educational programs.
The university is divided into two campuses, Wang Cheng campus
in the center of the city, at the Ming Dynasty site of Prince Jingjiang's
Mansion, and Yu Cai campus in the Qixing Hi-Tech Development Zone.
Currently, the university consists of 14 colleges, six teaching
departments, five instructional centers, an educational technology
center, 20 research institutes, two affiliated high schools, and
a kindergarten.
Guangxi Normal University combines academic excellence with a
welcoming atmosphere. The school's strong commitment to teaching
and learning methods encourages students to develop independence
and self-direction, which leads them to success in both their
studies and future careers.
The Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Guangxi Normal
University is designated by the Ministry of Education as a national
base for liberal arts education and research. The College of International
Culture and Education of Guangxi Normal University provides Chinese
language and culture for a period of one semester (approximately
half a year) or longer for foreigners, foreign citizens of Chinese
origin whose native tongue is not Chinese, and overseas Chinese.
The College has been teaching Chinese as a second language to international
students for as long as 17 years. It is also designated as an
HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) center, providing an HSK test twice
a year.
The college has basic, intermediate and advanced classes, with
each class admitting a maximum of 20 students per class. 550 students
have come from abroad to study Chinese in Guilin this year, a figure
that will rise to 650 next year. The majority of students come
from Southeast Asia, with the rest coming from North American and
European countries. Students are placed in classes according to
their performance in a placement test, but can try out a class
first before being assigned to that level for the duration of their
study period.
The teaching of Chinese as a second language includes such courses
as Basic Chinese, Practical Chinese, and Works from Chinese Literature.
There are long-term programs (One semester - six months - or longer)
and short-term programs (July ¨C August during the summer break,
and January ¨C February during the winter break). Courses offered
are determined on the basis of the level of and demand from the
students.
Short-term programs are flexible in terms of class times, time
span, level, and contents, depending on students' needs. Two-
to six-week programs are available, which may provide classes in
Chinese speaking, listening, reading, writing, and Chinese culture.
For more information, please contact PRC Study.
For the long-term program, the academic year is divided into two
semesters, 18 weeks each semester, with 20 class hours each week.
The required courses are usually in the morning and the elective
courses in the afternoon from Monday through Friday. A certificate
of study will be issued to those who attend classes as required
and pass the relevant exams.
By the end of the any of the Chinese language program, learners
of elementary level, intermediate level and advanced level are
expected to learn 50-100 characters by heart each week and, respective
of course level, be able to communicate in Chinese with simple
and brief, fairly fluent, and sophisticated Chinese expressions
accordingly, understand simple, special, and standard basic daily
conversations in Chinese accordingly, grasp the gist of basic Chinese
character structural formation and stroke orders, grasp the gist
of basic Chinese pronunciation and grammar, sound good when speaking
and use grammar in an appropriate manner.
Other optional elective classes in Chinese language, history,
and culture are also offered. Students of any level can take such
elective courses as Bettering Pronunciation in Chinese, Reading
and Writing Chinese Characters, Chinese Calligraphy with Pen, Ancient
Chinese Language, A Brief History of China, Chinese Traditional
Music, Chinese Opera for Appreciation, Taiji, Chinese Wushu, Chinese
Painting, and Preparations for HSK Test.
Sometimes students are taken on field trips where participants
can gain a brief understanding of Chinese history and civilization;
have a general impression of Chinese society and experience the
Chinese way of life; learn basic theories and skills of Chinese
painting and calligraphy; learn about Chinese folk art and folklore;
have a general knowledge of Chinese culture and the cultures of
ethnic minorities in Guangxi, and Guilin's historical relics and
scenic attractions.
Guangxi Normal University's Faculty of Education Science serves
as a national base for training top-class teachers for Chinese
elementary and secondary schools. The university has attached
great importance to the development of its teaching staff, and
especially to the training of professional leaders and specialized
personnel. The teaching staff has now reached a total of 876,
of whom 109 are professors, 299 associate professors, and 84 holders
of a doctoral degree.
The university has about fifty specialized teachers of Chinese.
All full-time teaching staff hold a masters degree in the field
and a certificate in teaching Chinese as second language. Staff
are well-qualified and experienced teachers of Chinese as a second
language, who have a wide range of knowledge in the discipline
and employ a variety of teaching methods. The school is equipped
with perfect language teaching facilities, such as large, medium-sized
and small classrooms, multi-functional classrooms, a language laboratory,
reading room, and multi-media facilities.
Library
International students can apply for a library card with their
student card and make good use of the books and facilities in the
campus library, which has collections in Chinese and foreign languages.
The library is open from 8 am ¨C 10 pm during term time, and 8 am
¨C 5 pm during vacations.
Recreation Facilities
Guilin Normal University has a sports academy and provides ample
recreational sports facilities for students. The swimming pool
costs just RMB 2 a time, tennis courts are also cheap, and basketball
and football can be played for free. In addition to Chinese language
courses, elective courses such as tai chi and calligraphy are included
in the curriculum each semester. Each elective course is usually
scheduled to be taken once a week, voluntarily and reasonably priced.
Certain other elective courses, including Business Chinese Conversation,
are usually offered on Friday mornings.
Laundry
The international students' dormitory buildings are all equipped
with low-cost laundries. Dry cleaning is also available on and
off campus.
Money & Banking
There is a branch of the Bank of China, with an ATM, five minutes'
walk from the campus.
Medical Care
For common complaints, international students can see a doctor
at the university hospital or other hospitals in the city at their
own expenses. The Number Five People's Hospital is only a ten-
to 15-minute walk away, is open 24 hours, has English-speaking
staff and a well-stocked pharmacy providing western medication
and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) ingredients.
Food & Groceries
There are several dining halls or restaurants on the campus supplying
three meals a day. The International Students House is equipped
with public kitchens open to all international students according
to the relevant regulations. There is an international students'
restaurant on campus, although students can also eat at the general
canteen. Electronic dining cards are available at the canteen
office by showing a student ID. Although the campus does not have
western restaurants, nearby there are many restaurants catering
to all tastes at low costs.
Postal Services
A post office is located on campus, from which students can send
and receive mail and packages from all over the world, buy stamps,
envelopes, and use the post boxes.
The university's International Service Center prepares rooms of
various standards to accommodate around 1,000 people with its high-quality
services. Guangxi Normal University provides living accommodation
for international students in rooms with air-conditioning, internet,
and a shared kitchen on every floor which around 20 people can
use at a time. Students have to provide their own kitchen equipment.
Each dormitory building has its own gym, laundry facilities, and
24-hour security. International students' rooms are equipped with
telephone, which can be used with a 201 card or by direct dialing.
Telephone cards are available inside the building for the convenience
of making a long-distance call.
Guangxi Normal University is in the east of Guilin city.
Distance from the airport:A taxi ride from the airport takes
40 minutes.
Distance from the train station: A taxi ride
from the nearby train station takes about ten minutes.
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