The Chinese University of Hong Kong [VSE Season 2, 2024-25 – Virtual Language Center]

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR, China

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a comprehensive research university with a global vision. As the second oldest university in the territory, CUHK distinguishes itself from other local universities with its firmly rooted Chinese culture, bilingualism and multiculturalism, and a unique college system that complements the formal learning experience through whole-person development and pastoral care.

CUHK has been at the forefront of research. It boasts a galaxy of distinguished scholars and researchers, including Nobel Laureates, a Fields medalist, a Turing Award winner, and members of the Royal Society. In its latest strategic plan, CUHK has identified four research priorities to build on its strengths and leading advantages in those areas to address some of the most pressing issues of the world today. These areas are China Studies, Translational Biomedicine, Information and Automation Technology and Environment and Sustainability. The prowess, variety and impact of research at CUHK can be further demonstrated from its establishment of five state key laboratories, past and ongoing Areas of Excellence research projects, and the many research institutes and collaborations with eminent overseas research institutions.

The University engages in academic and research partnerships with over 340 universities and institutions from around the world, internationalizing education and advancing the frontiers of knowledge and technology to address the many global challenges of today.

Website: https://www.cuhk.edu.hk/english/index.html

VSE Season 2, 2024-25 - Virtual Language Center: Courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Application Deadline

Students must submit an application to the VSE Central Office before:
Dec 2, 2024 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Before applying, please make sure you have fulfilled the course offering university's English language proficiency requirements listed below:

For students studying in NON-native English-speaking countries or territories ONLY:
TOEFL (iBT) score of at least 71, or
IELTS score of at least 6.0

For students from mainland China institutions ONLY:
College English Test Band-4 (CET-4) or College English Test Band-6 (CET-6) score of at least 530

Please upload the required proof(s) of English language proficiency in the online application to the VSE Central Office.

For more details, please contact the VSE coordinator at The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Course Information

Course information posted on this page are provided by the course offering university and may be changed or updated anytime without prior notice.

Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

Number of Credits	3
Offering Department	Yale-China Chinese Language Academy
Course Teacher	Miss YUEN Sung Ying
Language of Instruction	Cantonese
First Day of Class	Jan 9, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 24, 2025
Course Component	Lecture / Web-enhanced Teaching
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Thu 1430-1615 \| Web-enhanced Teaching: Asynchronous
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	This is a foundation course on Cantonese which introduces Cantonese romanization systems to students. Course contents include basic daily conversations, vowels and tone exercises and pronunciation practice. This course will enable learners to engage in simple real-life conversations by using Cantonese.
Course Outline	CLCC1703
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	For Putonghua-speaking non-local students who are absolute beginners in Cantonese.
Points to Note for Students	Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis.
Fees to be Borne by Students	Online Textbook Fee: HK$ 62.56 Students can purchase the textbook by themselves on Google Play.

Number of Credits	3
Offering Department	Yale-China Chinese Language Academy
Course Teacher	Teachers from Yale-China Chinese Language Academy
Language of Instruction	Putonghua and English
First Day of Class	Jan 8, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 23, 2025
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Synchronous
Meeting Time	Wed 1030-1215 \| Web-enhanced Teaching: Asynchronous
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	A beginners’ listening and speaking course in Putonghua, focusing on completing linguistic tasks through oral communication. Students are introduced to the romanization system of Putonghua (Pinyin) and colloquial usage. Content covered in the course is based on everyday conversations and daily situations. Pragmatic knowledge in language use is also supplemented.
Course Outline	CLCP1123
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	Not for native speakers of Putonghua or Cantonese.
Points to Note for Students	Eligible applicants will be selected on a first-come-first-served basis.
Fees to be Borne by Students	Online Textbook Fee: HK$125 Students can purchase the textbook by themselves by writing an email to [email protected].

Number of Credits	1
Offering Department	Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course Teacher	Teachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of Instruction	French and English
First Day of Class	Jan 6, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 17, 2025
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Asynchronous
Meeting Time	N/A
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	This course is for students without prior knowledge of French to discover some aspects of the French culture along with some basic elements of the French language. With the support of audio-visual materials, short textual information, different interactive tasks and online tests, it aims to help students get familiar with practical and cultural aspects of daily life in a French-speaking environment. It serves as a taster for students who might consider taking three-unit or six-unit French courses offered by the French programme of CUHK in the future.
Course Outline	FREN1001 (from previous offering)
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	Only for students without prior knowledge of French. From Season 1, 2023-24, students can only earn up to 2 units of these courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong: CLCP1001, CLCP1101, CLCC1001, CLCC1101, JASP1350, HKSL1001, SPAN1001, GERM1001, KORE1001, FREN1001.
Points to Note for Students	This course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by Students	N/A

Number of Credits	1
Offering Department	Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course Teacher	Teachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of Instruction	German and English
First Day of Class	Jan 6, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 17, 2025
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Asynchronous
Meeting Time	N/A
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	This online self-learning course invites students without prior knowledge of German to explore some basic features of the German language and culture through a virtual journey. Based on texts, audio and video input, and interactive tasks, students will be able to practice both spoken and written German. This course serves as a taster course for students who might consider taking German courses at CUHK in the future.
Course Outline	GERM1001 (from previous offering)
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	Only for students without prior knowledge of German. From Season 1, 2023-24, students can only earn up to 2 units of these courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong: CLCP1001, CLCP1101, CLCC1001, CLCC1101, JASP1350, HKSL1001, SPAN1001, GERM1001, KORE1001, FREN1001.
Points to Note for Students	This course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by Students	N/A

Number of Credits	1
Offering Department	Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course Teacher	Teachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of Instruction	Hong Kong Sign Language and English
First Day of Class	Jan 6, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 17, 2025
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Asynchronous
Meeting Time	N/A
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	This online course enables students to acquire some basics of Hong Kong Sign Language and the general principles for communicating with deaf people in a visual-gestural modality. With different videoed scenarios, students are systematically guided to acquire elementary signing skills for fulfilling basic communication needs in everyday situations. Emphasis will be placed on a range of simple, general-purpose expressions, which allow students to converse with local deaf people, as well as prepare themselves for learning the language further.
Course Outline	HKSL1001 (from previous offering)
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	Only for students without prior knowledge of Hong Kong Sign Language. From Season 1, 2023-24, students can only earn up to 2 units of these courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong: CLCP1001, CLCP1101, CLCC1001, CLCC1101, JASP1350, HKSL1001, SPAN1001, GERM1001, KORE1001, FREN1001.
Points to Note for Students	This course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by Students	N/A

Number of Credits	1
Offering Department	Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course Teacher	Teachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of Instruction	Spanish and English
First Day of Class	Jan 6, 2025
Last Day of Class	Apr 17, 2025
Course Component	Lecture
Mode of Teaching	Asynchronous
Meeting Time	N/A
Time Zone	UTC+08
Course Description	This online self-directed learning course invites students without prior knowledge of Spanish to explore the basic features of the Spanish language and briefly introduces them to the Hispanic world through a virtual journey. Supported by audio visual aids, students will receive training in spoken and written Spanish through interactive tasks and online exercises. They will learn some basic daily expressions in Spanish, which cover some Hispanic cultural topics. This course serves as a taster for students who may consider taking Spanish courses in the future.
Course Outline	SPAN1001 (from previous offering)
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions	Only for students without prior knowledge of Spanish. From Season 1, 2023-24, students can only earn up to 2 units of these courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong: CLCP1001, CLCP1101, CLCC1001, CLCC1101, JASP1350, HKSL1001, SPAN1001, GERM1001, KORE1001, FREN1001.
Points to Note for Students	This course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by Students	N/A

Before Making an Application

Make sure you have thoroughly read the information on this page and the Academics page before making an application. If you have a question, email us at [email protected] or contact the VSE Coordinators at your home university or course offering university.