Chinese
Chinese Language Program Director: Lin Zhu (lzhu4@tulane.edu)
The Chinese language program at Tulane provides instruction in Mandarin Chinese, the official language of Mainland China and Taiwan that is also spoken in Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries around the world. This program is designed for students with no prior knowledge of Chinese, and we also welcome students with a previous language background who wish to improve their Chinese proficiency. Students who complete the sequence will be able to speak, understand, read, and write Mandarin Chinese at an advanced level. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary linguistic tools and intercultural competence to prepare students for their future career, study, and life in Chinese-speaking communities.
Japanese
Director: Saeko Yatsuka-Jensen (syatsuka@tulane.edu) さえこせんせい Saeko sensei
The Japanese language program is comprised of two semesters each of Beginning (ASTJ 1010, 1020) and Intermediate Japanese (ASTJ 2030, 2040), where students will gain all four areas of language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. These are 4-credit hour courses, and the class meets three times a week in person, and the fourth credit hour of asynchronous study hour is required. These courses are available every term and will count toward both the foreign language requirements and the Japanese minor requirements.
Students have the option of taking an advanced course focusing on speaking offered in the fall (ASTJ 3050,) and the course focusing on Reading and Writing in the spring (ASTJ3060.) The prerequisite for both courses is ASTJ2040, so the students can start with either course. Upon the completion of the fifth Japanese course, the student can earn the Japanese Minor.
The Japanese program offers two program-wide cultural events a year: Japan Quiz Bowl in the fall and Ehoumaki (good luck sushi roll) workshop in the spring. These events not only provide opportunities to experience Japanese culture, but also, contribute to building a friendly and supportive community of learners. Students often find a life-long friend while taking Japanese courses.
The Japanese program trains the students in language skills and various cultural and social aspects so that they may go on to pursue graduate studies, employment in Japan, or other Japan-related fields. Students are encouraged to study abroad in Japan either during the summer months or for a semester or two during the school year.