Chinese

Chinese is a language with an artistic glamour and a history of thousands of years. It is spoken by over a billion people, and is among the official languages of the United Nations. 

China itself is one of Australia’s largest trading partners. Graduates with Chinese cultural and language skills possess a competitive edge in an increasingly globalised job market.

RMIT offers a variety of Chinese language courses to meet students’ professional and personal needs. Focusing on practical and applied language skills, you will be able to develop strong cross-cultural communication skills and foster a broader intellectual engagement with China, and its people and culture.

You can study Chinese as a major in the Bachelor of International Studies (Languages) or as an elective subject in any course.

The following Higher Education 12 credit point subjects are offered for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The course guides provide full details including subject descriptions, pre-requisites (if any), learning outcomes, learning activities and assessments:

Semester 1

Undergraduate

• Chinese 1 LANG1067
• Chinese 3 LANG1070
• Chinese 5 LANG1072
• Chinese Language and Society LANG1245
• Chinese through Drama LANG1267

Postgraduate

• Chinese 1 LANG1406
• Chinese 3 LANG1414
• Chinese 5 LANG1416
• Chinese Language and Society LANG1410   
• Chinese through Drama LANG1399

Semester 2

Undergraduate

• Chinese 1 LANG1067
• Chinese 2 LANG1069
• Chinese 4 LANG1071
• Chinese 6 LANG1073
• Chinese Language in Context LANG1247
• Chinese for Professional Communication LANG1266

Postgraduate

• Chinese 1 LANG1406
• Chinese 2 LANG1413
• Chinese 4 LANG1415
• Chinese 6 LANG1422
• Chinese Language in Context LANG1403
• Chinese for Professional Communication LANG1400

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to learn more about languages at RMIT.

In order to ascertain your level of fluency and ensure you maximise your language learning, we have a self-evaluation tool for all prospective students who have some knowledge of the language. This tool will help determine the best level of enrolment:

Chinese placement procedure and self evaluation quiz

This peer academic mentoring program involves intermediate and advanced students mentoring new students for 1–2 hours each week, to assist with specific language or study-related difficulties. You'll discover different learning styles, network with other students, learn effective ways to communicate, and share successful language learning strategies.

In-country internships are organised through our international partners in China. Workplace experience in local Chinese communities is also provided to enhance students work-integrated learning.

You will have the opportunity to study overseas and gain credit for courses. RMIT has over 200 partner universities in 31 countries to choose from. Scholarships and mobility grants are available.

• Melbourne’s Chinese community
• Chinese Australian Studies Forum

Chinese Australian Studies Forum

RMIT University established the Chinese Australian Studies Forum in 1998. It works to support Chinese Australians to confidently engage in wider community advancement, foster their interest in Australia, and seeks to give a voice where needed.

Working with visiting scholars, the Forum organises symposia, public lectures, joint-authored research and trans-national networks to offer mutual education for the Chinese Australian community.

RMIT University recognised the need for the Forum in response to:

• the opportunities created by globalization and cultural diversity
• the desires of Chinese Australians to make productive contributions to Australia
• the imperative to build better relations between Australia and Asia
• the research and education on Chinese Australians' engagement with local and global education, training and broad affairs.

Speak to our friendly staff about courses, applications, pathways and important dates at RMIT Connect.

Chinese course coordinators:

• Dr Jing Qi
• Dr Jindan Ni