FAQ

How do I apply?
Simply download or buy the Application Form (cost: Rs. 250 nonrefundable), complete the form, attach relevant documents/photograph and submit before closing date. If you prefer to download the form, you must pay the cost at the time of depositing the completed form.

Am I eligible to take Chinese Language courses?
If you possess adequate knowledge of English and are a graduate of any stream from any University in India you are eligible to apply.

What are the documents required?
>Attested (and notarized if necessary) copies of your school-leaving and college/university mark sheets and certificates, birth certificate, photographs, income declaration/evidence/IT returns and declaration of the love of language are amongst the documents required.
Physically handicapped candidate must produce a certificate from a medical expert specified by Calcutta University. Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe candidate (only from west Bengal) must produce relevant evidence.  Sponsored candidates must produce certificate from the sponsoring Organisation.

What is the fee payable by me?
Once you are admitted, you need to pay Rs. 250 as admission fee and Rs. 300 per month as tuition fee. Please note these fees are not refundable.

When do I need to pay the fee?
The fee must be deposited before the 7th of each month in advance.

Are scholarships available?
No. The fee structure is already highly subsidized by its constituents.

Is any Security Deposit required and why?
Yes, an amount of Rs. 5000 must be deposited with The School once you are selected. This amount is refundable in normal circumstances; it is required to ensure your regular attendance. It is also a gentle reminder for you not to deprive another deserving Student from the opportunity to take up this Course. Security Deposit is refundable within 30 days of end of Class unless forfeited. A student admitted to the course and who remains absent from classes for 7 Sessions continuously or, intermittently for more than 50% of classes held during any ten consecutive weeks would have his/her studentship terminated and his/her name will be automatically struck off from the rolls according to the Committee of Management  rules. Security Deposit would be forfeited.

Will my teachers speak English?
Your Teachers will speak Chinese but use English as the teaching language.

Can I request my Teacher for private tuition?
Absolutely not! If you approach any Teacher for private tuition, you are liable to be expelled from the Course.

What if I do not speak a word of Chinese now?
This should not discourage you in the least. The Course is designed for beginners.

When does the course begin?
The Course would commence in 2010, the 111th birth year of Maulana Azad.

How do I get to The School?
The School is located at 11/1 Sunny Park in Ballygunge. Sunny Park is the road between Birla Mandir and CC&FC; it is opposite Ballygunge Post Office. The area is well-served by all modes of transport.

Will my progress be tested?
Yes. Tests would be held after every 10 Sessions. These may be in the form of short written tests and/or oral evaluations.

How long is the course? Is there a fixed time schedule?
Our language program consists of 60 Sessions of 2 hours each. For best results, you should devote at least an additional hour a day towards practice at home. Avoid long breaks between the lessons and study regularly, even in short sessions, to ensure a more effective progress. A 7 to 8 month time period has been allotted for taking the course, to encourage a pace that will produce satisfactory results.

Will I be given any textbooks or other study materials? How much do they cost? Can I keep them?
All study material would be provided by The School at no extra cost. It is for you to study, use and keep.

How many students are in a class?
To ensure individualized attention and optimal learning, we regret we are unable to admit more than 15 Students per Class.

What is the class schedule like?
Sessions of 2 hours each would be held twice weekly on Wednesdays & Fridays from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm.

Do I receive a certificate at the end of the course?
Yes! Once you have successfully completed your course, the Certificate, issued jointly by Calcutta University, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies & The School of Chinese Language, will be awarded to you.

Can I get academic credits through these courses?
We are working to obtain credits for our language courses in China. The idea is to open the window of opportunity to our students to high-quality yet affordable higher education in our partner Chinese Universities.

Which level can I expect to reach at the end of the introductory Basic course?
The Joint Programme lays the foundations of Chinese (Mandarin) language by introducing basic grammatical concepts and useful vocabulary step by step. The Course also aims at building good but basic oral communication skills that are essential in the language learning process.

If you successfully complete an introductory course, you will be able to manipulate basic language skills and apply them in actual conversations: for instance, you will be able to ask for directions, place an order in a restaurant, pay the bill, buy a ticket at the train station, and generally communicate on a basic level with a native speaker.

Are your Teachers properly qualified to teach Mandarin?
Yes - all of our Teachers are well-versed in contemporary China; they are highly trained, many in China, and speakers of the language, and have qualifications either in teaching the language as a foreign language, or a degree from a university in the language. Many have both.

How is a language course structured?
Each course is divided into chapters, and each chapter is further divided into various lessons, a role-play, a review quiz, and a pronunciation check. The course also provides a vocabulary section. In the lessons you learn the main grammar points of the language while practicing all language skills (listen, speak, read, and write). All the language lessons provide interactive explanations, examples, exercises. There are also language tests where you can revise what you have learned. You learn idioms and common expressions. The quizzes test your active knowledge at the end of a chapter. You must fulfill a series of interactive tasks within a set time limit. Your Teacher will correct the quiz and send you a report on your progress. The pronunciation checks allow you to test your pronunciation at the end of a chapter. The language vocabulary contains all the words taught in a course.

What is the teaching method?
1. A clear understanding of how the language works and a useful vocabulary;
2. Many entertaining ways to practice and reinforce your language skills;
3. Constant feedback to correct your performance and get the greatest benefit from your studies.
The method ensures that you gain confidence and fluency with the language. You listen, speak, read, and write the language from the very beginning and throughout the course.
One key principle of The School’s language courses is interaction. We believe that you learn best when interacting with experienced tutors and well-organized material. For this reason, our courses offer a unique benefit: qualified language teachers who answer all your questions about grammar and vocabulary; correct tests, quizzes, and pronunciation checks; supply of study material; and monitor your progress throughout the course. And, ofcourse, don’t forget the regular Chini Adda and Interactive Sessions.

Is what I study useful?
Yes. Our courses have brief grammar sections that give you the basis you need to start building your knowledge of the language. These foundations are indispensable if you want to become proficient and then step up to the next level. The core of the grammar is broadened gradually so as to ensure a stable progress.

You also learn vocabulary and expressions used in everyday dialogue. Thanks to the focus of our courses being on oral practice, you steadily expand your conversational skills and can apply what you learn to real-life situations. This is essential if you want to actually speak the language and become fluent.

Are results guaranteed?
There is no magic way to learn a foreign language and signing up for a language course is not a guarantee to attain fluency. We provide you with the best learning tools available and give you the possibility to make this experience a real asset. If you devote enough time and practice to the course, you will get results. If you are serious about and dedicated towards learning a foreign language and commit yourself to this goal, then good results are ensured. 

Will I learn anything about Chinese culture?
Yes. Culture is an integral part of any language. Simply knowing the sounds which could be interpreted by listeners as "hello" might be poorly applied when cultural considerations are ignored. To speak Chinese proficiently, learners need to avoid undue attention, and can by applying appropriate cultural behavior. When the culture is ignored, the language is not learned.

What if I have a complaint?
We sincerely hope you do not, but if you do, please send your complaint in writing, in a sealed envelope addressed to The Committee of Management, Basic Applied Chinese Language Course, c/o The School of Chinese Language, 11/1 Sunny Park, Kolkata 700019. We take all complaints seriously. Should you need to make us aware of your experiences, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We will investigate all complaints thoroughly and report back to you. Your positive experiences are very important to us and we do not take complaints lightly.

What happens if I have to cancel my course?
It would not be in your interest to cancel as the Security Deposit would be forfeited. Ofcourse, incase of extraordinary circumstances, the Committee of Management would give the matter due consideration if adequate evidence is provided and accepted.

Why should Calcutta University, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies & The School of Chinese Language offer Students the opportunity to learn Chinese language and culture?
It is clear that China will play a large role in the world economically and politically. Our students, community leaders, and decision makers need to be able to communicate effectively with the Chinese and have some understanding of the Chinese culture.

Globalization has made international learning a new basic for our Students to be successful.

Learning this language would open the doors to high-quality yet affordable higher education in our partner Chinese Universities.

Opportunity would be generated for employment in Chinese companies establishing commerce in Kolkata. Indian companies with business relationships in China would require persons with basic Chinese Language skills.