Study Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU)
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Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU) is the only university in china who’s’ main task is to teach the Chinese language and culture to foreign students. Since its inception in the 1970s it has become the most popular institution for foreign students wishing to study in China, annually attracting over 9,000 international students from over 110 countries. The university also attracts the same number of Chinese students a year, this mesh of local and foreign students provides a great atmosphere in which to learn mandarin and immerse yourself in Chinese culture. The university has also gained the reputation of being a world leader in the field of teaching mandarin as a foreign language, providing text books and teaching methods used all round the world. BLCU is located in the Haidian District in North West Beijing, this area is home to Beijing’s’ University District and has thus become a fun and dynamic area to live in. There are numerous bars, clubs and restaurants in the area all geared to its young and vibrant population.

Due to all these factors BLCU (more commonly known in china as Yu Yan Xue Yuan, or Bei Yu) has become the most popular choice with CSA students wishing to study mandarin in Beijing.

History of BLCU

Early in the 1950s when the undertaking of teaching Chinese as a foreign language (TCFL) was still at the initial stage, the first generation of BLCU teachers had taken an active part in the pioneering work. As a result, the first school of higher education specially oriented to foreign students, “ Higher Preparatory School for Foreign Students”, was established in June, 1962. In 1964, the school was officially named as Beijing Language Institute and later was renamed as Beijing Language and Culture University in June, 1996, which was shortened as Beijing Language University (in Chinese) in July, 2002 with the approval of the Ministry of Education. September 6th, 2002 witnesses the gorgeous celebration of the 40th anniversary of BLCU, for which General-Secretary Jiang Zemin and Vice-Premier Li Lanqing wrote letters of congratulation and the Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Li Peng wrote words of encouragement. The great event has turned off a new page in the history of BLCU.

As an international University, BLCU has carried on for more than 40 years its consistent aim of “popularizing Chinese language and promoting Chinese culture.” Generations of faculties have been working hard and thus has turned BLCU into an international center for teaching Chinese as a foreign language and a training base for personnel engaged in or concerned with foreign affairs. Since 1990s, the education scope of BLCU has been enlarged, covering a wide range of fields including literature, economics, law, education, history and engineering. At present, BLCU has 3 doctoral programs, 14 postgraduate programs and 15 undergraduate programs. The University comprises of 11 teaching units, namely the College of the Chinese Language, the College of Advanced Chinese Language Training, the College of Intensive Chinese Language Training, the College of Foreign Languages, the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (the College of Chinese Teachers’ Training), the Continuing (Network) Education College, the College of Information Sciences, the Pre-departure Training Department, the Finance Department; and 6 research institutes, namely the Center for Studies of Chinese as Second Language, Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Center, the Language Research Institute, the Language Data Processing Institute, Institute of Comparative Literature, the Applied Linguistics Research Institute; and such auxiliary bodies as the Library, the University Press, the Audio and Visual Education Center and the Network Center. 

Among over 700 faculty members, more than 300 are professors and associate professors. Nowadays, more than 9,000 international students from over 110 countries and over 8,000 Chinese students study at the University each year.

BLCU distinguishes itself by its unique cultural atmosphere of diversity, which attracts a large number of students from both home and abroad. Since the founding of the University, more than 60,000 students from over 160 countries and regions have stepped out into the world from here over the past 40 years. Among them, some have become distinguished diplomats, sinologists and journalists; 14 once worked as foreign ambassadors to China and more than 30 are diplomats working in the embassies to China. Moreover, BLCU has turned out more than 3,000 qualified Chinese graduates, who are now playing an active role in the fields of education, diplomacy and the management of foreign affairs. Besides, more than 30,000 people have received intensive language training here before going abroad, some of whom are now in the leading posts or become the backbones of various fields and sectors in China.

Teaching and research are two inseparable parts of a University. Due to special attention paid to the planning and management of scientific research, the academic level of the University has been improved greatly. Recently, BLCU has been entrusted with 11 State Social Science Fund programs, 2 State Natural Science Fund programs, 27 research programs of the Ministry of Education, 18 programs of the National Chinese Language Office. Besides, the HSK test administered and developed by BLCU is an authoritative testing system of national level taken by all the overseas students who want to study in Chinese colleges and also a valid certification of one’s Chinese proficiency in job-hunting market. To date, there are 118 HSK test centers at home and abroad. The Center for Studies of Chinese as Second Language established in 2002 is a key national research base in the field of humanities and social sciences, aimed at laying a theoretical foundation for the further development of TCFL.

BLCU is increasing its cooperation and exchange with numerous foreign countries, and right now it has built partnerships with 130 universities from 32 countries in the world. The overseas branch schools have been set up in the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Thailand.

With the improvement of China’s international status and the development of its exchanges and co-operations with other countries, the role of Chinese language in international communications is becoming increasingly important, and the compatibility and universality of Chinese culture is becoming more and more remarkable. As the base for spreading Chinese, BLCU undertakes a noble but arduous mission. Faculties and students at BLCU are making unremitting and enterprising efforts to turn it into an international language-oriented University covering a wide scope of fields ranging from humanities, social sciences to information science and with equal stress put on teaching and scientific research.

College of Intensive Chinese Training

The College of Intensive Chinese Training is the largest and oldest of its kind in China and is responsible for offering short-term Chinese language and short-term Intensive Chinese language programs for international students.

The college has three departments: Department of Intensive Chinese Study; Department of Advanced Chinese Study; and the Teaching and Research Institute of Accelerated Chinese study.

The Teaching and Research Institute of Accelerated Chinese Study is responsible for the overall design of short-term and accelerated Chinese instructions given to foreign students, installation of curricula, study of teaching methods and compilation of textbooks.