Higher Education | Polytechnic offers Chinese language degree for foreigners

Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) will offer a new Bachelor degree in International Chinese Language Education starting from the next academic year, as announced at the launch ceremony yesterday.
According to the President of MPI, Lei Heong Iok, this is the first program of its kind offered by a higher education institution from Macau. MPI considers the program to “facilitate not only the development of the bilateral exchange platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries but also the implementation of the country’s ‘One Belt One Road’ strategy.”
The courses will be taught in Chinese, English, and Portuguese, and will vary according to the nationality of the students.
For non-Chinese native speakers, the mandatory courses include modern Chinese, reading Chinese, Chinese history, Chinese handwriting, Chinese culture, Chinese grammar, Chinese literature, Chinese interpreter, Macau history and culture, as well as compulsory courses, such as English-Chinese translation and Chinese-Portuguese translation.
For native Chinese speakers, they will be taught with more emphasis on Portuguese and English courses, as well as foreign literature courses, besides those related to Chinese.
The program welcomes all nationals. Students who are native speakers of Chinese will take one year of study in Portugal, whereas those who aren’t native Chinese will spend one year at the Beijing Language and Culture University after finishing the three years at MPI. Graduates of this program are recognized by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of Macau SAR Government, and they may work as teachers in the secondary school system.
“This program opens up a new path for young people from Macau and Mainland China in international education and in the promotion of the Chinese language,” announced MPI.
Applications for the first year of the program are now open and will remain open until May 6.  Staff reporter