Chinese FAQs

Q1. What is the relationship between MSU, MVU and the Confucius Institute at MSU as it relates to online Chinese language and culture courses?
A. MSU invited MVU to become a partner in this initiative to promote Chinese language and culture education. With support from the U.S. – China Center for Research on Educational Excellence at MSU, MVS provided the first online Chinese language course for high school students in the U.S. Under this partnership agreement with the Confucius Institute at MSU, MVS became the primary link to Michigan’s middle and high school community for online Chinese courses, instructional resources and related content.

Q2. What courses will be available in the area of Chinese language and culture and what is the timeline for each?
A. The Confucius Institute at MSU and MVS will develop eight online semester-length Chinese language courses for high school students, ranging from Introductory Chinese to Advanced Placement (AP) Chinese, and six online semester-length beginning level Chinese language courses for middle school students.

Q3. What, if any, educational prerequisites are there for the Chinese courses?
A. There are no prerequisites for students to enroll in the Introductory Chinese language course (1A), other than an interest in learning a world language. Enrollment in other Chinese language courses require students to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Chinese language, either through successful completion of the MVS Introductory Chinese language course, or to provide other evidence of their basic Chinese language skills.

Q4. How much does it cost to enroll in one of the online Chinese courses?
A. The MVS Chinese language courses are priced at a per student enrollment for Michigan students and non-Michigan students. Please access the MVS course catalog for current costs.

Q5. Can adults enroll in the online courses?
A. Enrollment in the MVS Chinese language courses is limited to middle and high school age students. The Confucius Institute at MSU is planning to offer Chinese language courses for adult learners.

Q6. Who pays for the online courses (parents or schools)?
A. Students enrolled in a Michigan school district typically work with their building principal or guidance counselor to enroll in MVS courses. Typically the enrolling school district pays the tuition for MVS courses. If the school district is unable to fund the enrollment, parents may pay the tuition for their student. However, transcript and credit arrangements will need to be made with the school district prior to enrollment.

Q7. Who serves as the online instructors for the Chinese courses?
A. The Confucius Institute at MSU provides qualified native Chinese speaking instructors for each of the MVS online courses. MSU provides pedagogical training for each instructor and MVU provides appropriate online instructor training for each Chinese language course instructor.

Q8. Are the online instructors endorsed to teach in this area?
A. The Michigan Department of Education, Office of Teacher Certification has established a World Language Endorsement Area for Chinese Language and Culture. At this time, no teachers have been awarded this endorsement by the department.

Q9. What type of Internet connection and computer are required to access the Chinese courses?
A. Students will need a high-speed Internet connection and Internet Explorer V6.X or Firefox V1.5X browser, Windows 2000 or a later version, with a CD-ROM drive, disk storage space and a full-duplex sound card. A headset with earphone and microphone for group audio interaction and for recording is required. The Microsoft Chinese Language Pack is needed to view the Chinese characters used in the coursework. A broadband connection will significantly enhance the use of the multimedia components of the online courses.

For more information on the MVS Chinese Language courses, call toll-free 888.532.5806 or email learnchinese@mivu.org.