For those interested in learning Mandarin, LSE-PKU participants can choose to arrive in Beijing prior to the beginning of the LSE-PKU Summer School to attend a 4 week Mandarin language course at PKU, or, to take a 10 hour language course alongside the LSE-PKU Summer School . The 4 week language courses are available at elementary, intermediate and advanced level and the 10 hour language course is suitable for beginners only, running simultaneously with the LSE-PKU Summer School.

Study arrangements

For the 4 week course, students are required to undertake a Mandarin placement test before they are permitted to register for any classes to determine which level is the most suitable. These classes take place from Monday to Friday for four hours each day (twenty hours per week), with a maximum class size of 15 students.

For the 10 hour course, lessons are delivered for 1 or 1.5 hours on 7 of the Summer School teaching days, normally before the Summer School's classes begin for the day. All classes are taught in Chinese to enable students to learn the most possible from the immersive experience in Beijing.

Extracurricular activities

To facilitate students' potential for learning more about Chinese culture during the 4 week course, PKU arranges visits to well-known places of interest in Beijing and also organises student exchange activities. Details will be provided once the course begins.

Fees

For the 4 week course, PKU charges a non-refundable application fee of RMB 400 and the tuition fee (including the cost of textbooks) is RMB 6,000. For the 10 hour course, there is no application fee but PKU charges RMB 500 for the tuition.

Accommodation

Participants on the 4 week mandarin language class must arrange their own accommodation, although PKU suggests using either the Post and Telecom Conference Centre or Beijing Buddy (the latter is also used by participants on the LSE-PKU Summer School).

How to apply

For the 4 week course, applications are on a first come, first served basis until each course reaches maximum capacity. Students need to register an account on the PKU website and then follow the instructions (see also page 1 of the leaflet below for full information).

For the 10 hour course, participants should complete the application form and then send it to pkulse@pku.edu.cn. Please note that the deadline for applying is 26th June 2015.

Further information

For the 4 week course, more detailed information can be found in the 2015 Peking University Chinese Language Summer School leaflet (the 2016 leaflet will be updated here in due course). Alternatively, students should also direct further queries about the Mandarin language classes to shortterm@pku.edu.cn.

For the 10 hour course, please refer any queries to pkulse@pku.edu.cn.