CHINESE

Study Chinese at Howard University

The Chinese Program at Howard invites you to embark on an exciting journey of exploring Chinese language, culture, and its global engagement. From beginning to advanced courses, our curriculum combines Chinese language study with classes in arts, culture, and professional communication, giving you the skills to communicate confidently and meaningfully. Beyond language, we also inspire students to connect with China and the world, embrace Chinese culture, build cross-cultural understanding, and become the leaders of tomorrow. Come join us and be part of a vibrant community exploring the richness of Chinese language and culture!

Coordinator: Yueyi Dai

Email: yueyi.dai@howard.edu

Office: Alain Locke Hall, 360

Why Study Chinese?

Mandarin Chinese is currently the most spoken language in the world with over 1 billion speakers, which is about one fifth of the global population. Mandarin Chinese is also the mother tongue of over 873 million people, making it the most widely spoken first language in the world. Studying Chinese equips students with not only the language skills, but also cultural knowledge to engage with one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and most influential cultures.

By becoming fluent in Chinese, students gain better access to a rich culture of philosophy, literature and history. As China and Chinese-speaking regions play central roles in international business, diplomacy, technology, and cultural exchange, proficiency in Chinese opens doors to more diverse career opportunities and cross-cultural engagement.

Course Offering

Title Description Credit Prerequesite
Chinese I Learn Pinyin and the basics of writing and speaking Chinese 3 N/A
Chinese II Builds on foundational skills, expands vocabulary and grammatical structures. Students gain confidence in conversational Chinese and can handle simple real-life interactions. 3 Chinese I
Chinese III Improves fluency and comprehension through more complex conversations, readings, and writing. Students explore cultural contexts while strengthening their ability to express ideas clearly. 3 Chinese II
Chinese IV Enhances communication skills and accuracy in both spoken and written Chinese. 3 Chinese III
Oral Expression I Develops speaking and listening skills in Mandarin Chinese through interactive conversations and real-life scenarios. 3 Chinese IV
Oral Expression II Advance your Chinese fluency while gaining deeper insight into Chinese culture. 3 Oral Expression I

Study Abroad Information

CIEE Study Abroad in Greater China

CET Shanghai Study Abroad

CET Beijing Study Abroad

CET Taiwan Study Abroad

Study Abroad at Fudan University in Shanghai

Taiwan Intensive Summer and Semester Language Programs (TISLP)

Tradition and Modernity in Taiwan (TMT)

HU Chinese Culture Club

HU Chinese Culture Club Instagram
Attending the US-China Youth Exchange event at the Embassy of China (December 2024)

Visiting Embassy of China (December 2024)

Lunar New Year Celebration

Lunar New Year Celebration

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Lunar New Year Celebration (Jan 2025)

Field Trip to the National Museum of Asian Art in DC (May 2025)

Field Trip to the National Museum of Asian Art in DC (May 2025)

Org Fair (August, 2025)
Org Fair (August, 2025)

Org Fair (August, 2025)

Mahjong Game Night (September 2025)

Mahjong Game Night (September 2025)

Mahjong Game Night (September 2025)

Mahjong Game Night (September 2025)

Mid-autumn  Festival (October 2025)

Mid-autumn Celebration (October 2025)

Mid-autumn Festival

Mid-Autumn Festival

China Panel: Students sharing their experiences of living or studying in Chinese speaking regions. (November 2025)

China Panel: Students sharing their experiences of living or studying in Chinese speaking regions. (November 2025)

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony

Tea Ceremony