Query about studying Chinese at Monash

[HossRyams]

So I've read that you can enter Chinese from several entry points, and I initially assumed I would be placed in the beginner's class. However, while reading the Monash Subject reviews, I read that the staff were rather strict regarding who can actually take the beginner's class.

As for me, well, I am Chinese. My mum is fluent in Chinese but we never speak Chinese at home (although she will probably be the person I go to for questions throughout the year tbh). I also attended Chinese School from grades 1-3 (when I was actually in grades 1-3 as well) but quit immediately after. I haven't studied Chinese since and I've forgotten the majority of it. I've only retained basic phrases, and I certainly cannot read or write Chinese. I can't speak any other Chinese dialects.

From my understanding (again from reading the review and the subject summary itself), this subject is for those with no prior knowledge of Chinese. I mean, I essentially don't know Chinese but I can't say I know nothing either.

Will I still be able to enter Chinese Introductory 1, or will I be moved into a background speakers class or something else?

Thanks in advance guys

Edit: typo

[slothpomba]

It'd be a bit hard for any of us to tell you and it ultimately depends on the faculty's decision.

I think the best thing to do here is to contact the faculty - http://artsonline.monash.edu.au/chinese/contact-us/ . There is an email address there, you're better off using that than ask.monash in my opinion.

I think its also about how functional and put together your knowledge of chinese is. If you can't read and only know a few phrases, its not really fair to say you "know" chinese. I remember some phrases from highschool and can read some characters but i doubt i'd be put into anything but beginner chinese. I don't know if your background would modify that but i doubt it.

[drake]

i've heard that when you do chinese at monash, you aren't actually studying much of the language but rather the history and culture... can anyone confirm this? here is my source:

http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/chinese-studies/ug-arts-chinese-studies.html

how correct is that? is it all about ancient history and that kinda stuff? or do we actually learn the language, write essays, translate, practice oral like VCE?

thanks!

[slothpomba]

i've heard that when you do chinese at monash, you aren't actually studying much of the language but rather the history and culture... can anyone confirm this? here is my source:

That's not correct at all (not trying to come off as mean, i just dont know another way to put it). It's be a shock if a high ranking and respected university like Monash didn't have a chinese language program.

If you scroll down to the list of units, you'll see a list of language ones ( " ATS1001 Chinese introductory 1" " ATS3005 Chinese proficient 1", etc).

[ninwa]

Disclaimer: I've only done French and German but 1) had friends who studied Chinese and 2) the language departments do not differ significantly.

So I've read that you can enter Chinese from several entry points, and I initially assumed I would be placed in the beginner's class. However, while reading the Monash Subject reviews, I read that the staff were rather strict regarding who can actually take the beginner's class.

As for me, well, I am Chinese. My mum is fluent in Chinese but we never speak Chinese at home (although she will probably be the person I go to for questions throughout the year tbh). I also attended Chinese School from grades 1-3 (when I was actually in grades 1-3 as well) but quit immediately after. I haven't studied Chinese since and I've forgotten the majority of it. I've only retained basic phrases, and I certainly cannot read or write Chinese. I can't speak any other Chinese dialects.

From my understanding (again from reading the review and the subject summary itself), this subject is for those with no prior knowledge of Chinese. I mean, I essentially don't know Chinese but I can't say I know nothing either.

Will I still be able to enter Chinese Introductory 1, or will I be moved into a background speakers class or something else?

Thanks in advance guys

Edit: typo

Level 1 is for people who have absolutely no knowledge of anything to do with Chinese. It sounds like you would fit into this category but might be a little bit bored at the start because they'll probably spend a few classes talking about things you already know e.g. tones etc.

I would contact the Chinese department. You might need to take a competency test. This test is usually taken by students who did a language in VCE so the faculty can figure out whether to put you into level 5 (most VCE grads) or level 7 (high achieving VCE grads / those who have gone on exchange etc.) but they might have one for people in your situation as well.

Orrrrrr just register for it anyway, I know people who studied for a year in Germany and registered themselves in the beginner levels for the easy HD, and nobody cared.

i've heard that when you do chinese at monash, you aren't actually studying much of the language but rather the history and culture... can anyone confirm this? here is my source:

http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/aos/chinese-studies/ug-arts-chinese-studies.html

how correct is that? is it all about ancient history and that kinda stuff? or do we actually learn the language, write essays, translate, practice oral like VCE?

thanks!

Not sure where you heard that from but it is most definitely inaccurate haha, you certainly study the language itself. History, culture and literature will make up part of your final grade, but you will have written, aural and oral exams.

[HossRyams]

Yeah I'll probably shoot them an e-mail, but I sure hope I'm in beginner's class haha.

Anyway, thanks for all of your responses! Sincerely appreciated.