2008-2010  schedule

Acquire your Chinese in a genuine Taiwan setting, free from polluted air, urban sprawl and high rents.  Yilan is unrivaled in Taiwan for its well-preserved environment, imposing mountain backdrop and stunning view of the Pacific.  Only a 40-minute bus ride from Taiwan’s capital city of Taipei and an hour by rail from the island’s world-famous scenic spot of Taroko Gorge in Hualien, Yilan hosts world-class international cultural and sports events year round.  It is home to Taiwan’s foremost music theater arena and culture center, finest hot springs, idyllic mountain trails and Taiwan’s most pristine beaches.  Water sports, such as swimming, boating, scuba diving and snorkeling are convenient, as is rock climbing.

Fo Guang University is a unique institution of higher learning dedicated to providing a traditional liberal arts education of global outlook in the grand Buddhist spirit (Students are neither required nor expected to study Buddhism or practice its tenets).  All aspects of the learning environment have been considered in building a new kind of seat of learning in Taiwan where the spirit of humanities-based study and education can flourish and flower.  In line with its founding spirit, Fo Guang features the Chinese Language Instruction Center, which is dedicated to serving the needs of non-native speakers of Chinese from all over the world seeking an education in Chinese language and culture.  An experienced faculty and comprehensively planned curriculum provide students with a keen interest in Chinese language, thinking, customs and culture with the requisite training and guidance to speak effectively.

Make the most of your summer break with a carefully crafted term to boost Chinese language skills while providing a broad and intense cultural experience.  Each week consists of four days of classes, four hours of language instruction per class day (one hour of one-on-one instruction, three hours of instruction in four - to six-student classes), along with one school-wide hour of hands on, direct involvement in two of the traditional Chinese arts - calligraphy and tai-chi-chuan (taught on alternating days).  Long three-day weekends provide ample opportunity to travel around Taiwan or enjoy Yilan’s many water sports or cultural activities.  Two weekends will feature school-arranged off-campus group outings, promising a summer filled with a rich mix of training and growth for mind and body.

Tuition for summer intensive program is US$2,500 (including insurance fee, proficiency test and two school-arranged off-campus trips).  A check for the application fee of US$50 must be submitted by the application deadline with all application materials.

The regular academic year consists of two terms (Autumn/ Spring) of classes, four hours a day, five days a week, each term for 16 weeks.  Monday through Thursday classes will consist of one hour per day of one-on-one language instruction and three hours of language instruction in classes of four to six students in size.  Friday classes will consist of two hours of school-wide lecture/ discussion classes on topics in Chinese society and culture.  The other two hours of classes on Fridays will consist of hands-on participatory involvement in developing the skills of many of the Chinese fine arts, such as calligraphy, tea ceremonies, cooking, carving chops, and tai-chi-chuan.  Extracurricular activities arranged by the Center will include cultural and social activities, scenic views and sports (to mark specific holidays or just for fun).

Tuition for this program is US$4,000 per term (including insurance fee, proficiency test and social activities).  A check for the application fee of US$50 must be submitted by the application deadline with all application materials.

This program is designed for students who require flexible learning arrangements (available during the 16-week Autumn and Spring terms, as well as the 8-week Summer term).  Students may take a minimum of 4 hours to a maximum of 20 hours per week of language instruction in one-on-one classes or classes of six to eight students in size.

Tuition for the flexible hours program is US$7 per hour for group classes, and US$17 per hour for requested one-on-one classes.  An initial application fee of US$50 (including proficiency test) must be submitted by the application deadline along with all application materials.

Oral interviews and written examinations administered during orientation will determine placement in Center courses.  The student’s indicated language proficiency level is used for initial planning purposes only; final placement is at the sole discretion of Center staff on the basis of the placement examination and subsequent course performance.  Enrollment in the program implies consent to abide by the judgement of the Center’s staff regarding course placement.

There are over 30 standard instructional materials consisting of textbooks, audiotapes and videotapes.  Topics covered range from formal to colloquial spoken Chinese and modern to classical literature.  With this broad range of course material, the CLIC teachers are readily prepared to focus on each student’s individual needs and goals.  In addition to these standard materials, CLIC is also able to accommodate special needs of individual students by adopting additional instructional material.

Teachers at CLIC are experienced and earnest.  All teachers have undergraduate or graduate degrees and professional training.  Some of them have experience teaching abroad.  This dedicated team of instructors promises students a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience at CLIC.

The center is conveniently located at Fo Guang University’s modern city-center facility in downtown Yilan.  There are museums and cultural settings near the center.  Interesting activities are held year-round, such as Traditional Opera Festivals and an International Boat Race.  Facilities include a comprehensive reference library, language lab, a well equipped computer room with internet connections, exercise room, individual lockers, coffee makers, TV and refrigerator.

CLIC provides a descriptive record in English of work done by all enrolled students but does not provide academic credits or grades.  Each student’s home institution retains the right to evaluate work done at CLIC according to its owns standards and awards credits as applicable.  All courses at CLIC are offered on a non-credit basis; CLIC does not confer diplomas.  After commencing studies at CLIC, student may apply for a Certificate of Enrollment.

1. The Ministry of Education currently offers half-year scholarships to the value of NT $15,000 per month.

2. Any full-time student who has already studied at the CLIC for three months and intents to continue studying for another six months or more is eligible to apply, providing they have demonstrated a conscientious approach to study in CLIC.

3. Application Dates: Applications are accepted twice a year, on or before 15 August and 15 February.

4. Number of Scholarships: Scholarships are allocated by the Ministry of Education.  The actual number will be announced when applications are received.

5. Further information about scholarships is announced publicly from time to time by the Ministry of Education.

6. For information about other forms of study assistance, please contact the Taiwanese Consulate or Office of Economic and Cultural Affairs in your own country, or Ministry of Education in Taipei, R.O.C.

To assure the optimal environment for each student to improve their Chinese-language proficiency, all students are required to sign a pledge stating that they will use only Mandarin Chinese for the duration of the program.  Beginning students will sign an alternative pledge form allowing the use of English during the first month of the initial term of study.  This pledge is a crucial part of the learning process.  Violations will lead to expulsion from the program.

Separate applications must be made for Summer Term study and Autumn/ Spring Term study.
(date by which all materials must have been postmarked)

Spring Academic-year Term,         .........December 15,

Summer Intensive Program,         .....................May 15,

Autumn Academic-year Term,          .................July 15,

Winter Academic-year Term,         .........November 15,

Flexible Hours Program
Overseas Applicants..........................2 months before the start of quarter applied for;
Local Applicants..................................1 week before the start of quarter applied for

Full-time students, who must attend a minimum of 15 hours per week, have full use of school facilities, including computer accounts, and can apply for a student visa, assistantships and scholarships.

Part-time students, who must attend a minimum 4 hours per week, may use all facilities except computers and are not eligible for student visas and scholarships.

and mailed or faxed to the address or fax number shown on the bottom of the application form.

Swift code :  TACBTWTP

Students applying for the summer program and academic year program are eligible to apply for accommodations in the university dormitories.  The rate for a two- or four-person room is approximately US$55 per month.  Monthly off-campus rents for studio apartments average US$150–200 per month, usually for leases of 6 months duration or longer.  Students typically need to bring a minimum of US$400 for a month of non-housing living expenses.  Details on housing, living expenses and transportation will be provided upon acceptance into the center’s program.

Our classes started on the 15th of October and the first class showed that in fact the course is not a usual one.  The education system is fairly typical for such courses.  The most important is the atmosphere in the class created by the teachers.  During the lesson they try to take into consideration the desires and interests of the students taking the course, answering all our questions and making a lot of examples.  So our classes pass along in a way of interesting and lively conversation.  Our Chinese language has improved a lot during the first quarter (15th October, 2001 to 4th January, 2002) and we hope that the skills we got here would be useful in Russia. The relationship with teachers formed out to be a very friendly one.  Our teachers in Chinese Language Instruction Center Liu Laoshi and Zhan Laoshi in some way replaced our parents and friends here.  Fairly speaking they showed us the biggest moral support here in Taiwan. Aidar Minnoulline 阿依達爾（maidar@yahoo.com）／Shamil Uoussoupov 沙米爾（neoshom@rambler.ru） I am happy to study Chinese in Fo-Guang because the teachers are friendly, which helps to motivate me to study.  Also the class size is relatively small, so teachers can spend more time on each student. Andy Roddam 駱安砥（andybendyman@hotmail.com） Thanks for the class: I realize that compared to where I was a mere 3 months ago, I have learned a lot (because now I can actually sort of read and write my own sentences which really I have never done before!).  Last semester the challenge was being exposed to and learning that much new vocabularies and grammars, and I ‘d really like to be able to use it!  I wouldn’t mind it next semester the challenge involved using what we have been introduced to this semester. Abbie E. Kirkpatrick 藍月璧（abbkirk@aol.com） When I started courses at Fo Guang, I was unsure of what to expect.  Having studied a fair amount of classical Chinese abroad, I came to Taiwan with a real desire (which living here turned into a need); simply to learn modern spoken Mandarin (The White Speech, 白話).  I thought that my learning needs would make finding appropriate classes a challenge.  I was honestly surprised by the ability of the teachers at the CLIC to decipher a student’s language-development wants and needs.  The wide range of options was wonderful.  There were courses in everything from the classical language to the daily news.  Even greater… were the faculty:  an instructor with a good sense of humour is worth more than ten of your garden-variety teachers!  My classes were sometimes challenging, but always fun.  You can’t help but learn when you are laughing.  Special thanks to my many Liu LaoShi(s), hope to be back soon! Arran Landry 藍文龍（hexatomic@hotmail.com）