PEKING UNIVERSITY 

Required Peking University Language Courses

Intensive Chinese
These courses on Intensive Chinese (Hanyu 汉语) concentrate on the study of written
Chinese, and are designed to advance the student’s skill in reading and writing through the
study of short essays and stories. They include exercises in tone drills, vocabulary, and
grammatical usage.

Elementary Intensive Chinese II

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 500-1,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Elementary) Level
3, which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Novice High or Intermediate Low.
Textbook: Xu Jingning 徐晶凝, Ren Xuemei 任雪梅, and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Chuji
Qibu (Pian II) 博雅汉语:初级起步(篇 II) (Boya Chinese: Elementary, vol. 2). Beijing:
Peking University Press. Contact hours: 100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter
hours.

Elementary Intensive Chinese III

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 1,000-2,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Elementary) Level
4, and is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Intermediate Mid. Textbook: Qian
Xujing 钱旭菁, Huang Li 黄立, and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Zhun Zhongji Jiasu (Pian I)
博雅汉语:准中级加速(篇 I) (Boya Chinese: Pre-Intermediate, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking
University Press. Contact hours: 100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Intermediate Intensive Chinese I

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 1,000-2,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Elementary) Level
4, which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Intermediate Mid. Textbook: Qian
Xujing 钱旭菁, Huang Li 黄立, and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Zhun Zhongji Jiasu (Pian I)
博雅汉语:准中级加速(篇 I) (Boya Chinese: Pre-Intermediate, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking
University Press. Contact hours: 100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Intermediate Intensive Chinese II

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 2,000-3,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Elementary) Level
5, which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Intermediate High. Textbook: Qian
Xujing, Huang Li, and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Zhun Zhongji Jiasu (Pian II) 博雅汉语:准
中级加速(篇 II) (Boya Chinese: Pre-Intermediate, vol. 2). Beijing: Peking University Press.
Contact hours: 100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Intermediate Intensive Chinese III

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 4,000-5,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Intermediate)
Level 7 or 8 which is approximately equivalent approximately to ACTFL sublevel Advanced
Mid. Textbook: Li Xiaoqi. Boya Hanyu: Zhongji Chongci (Pian II) 博雅汉语:中级冲刺(篇
II) (Boya Chinese: Intermediate, vol. 2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:
100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Advanced Intensive Chinese I

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 3,000-4,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Intermediate)
Level 6, which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Advanced Low. Textbook:
Zhao Yanfeng 赵延风 and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Zhongji Chongci (Pian I) 博雅汉语:
中级冲刺(篇 I) (Boya Chinese: Intermediate, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking University Press.
Contact hours: 72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Advanced Intensive Chinese II

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 4,000-5,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Intermediate)
Level 7 or 8, which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Advanced Mid.
Textbook: Li Xiaoqi. Boya Hanyu: Zhongji Chongci (Pian II) 博雅汉语:中级冲刺(篇 II)
(Boya Chinese: Intermediate, vol. 2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours: 72-90.
Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Advanced Intensive Chinese III

This level is for students with a Chinese vocabulary of 7,000-8,000 words. Students who
complete this level should be able to pass the original version of the HSK (Advanced) Level
11 which is approximately equivalent to ACTFL sublevel Superior. Textbook: Jin Xunian,
Chen Li, and Li Xiaoqi, ed. Boya Hanyu: Gaoji Feixiang (Pian III) 博雅汉语:高级飞翔(篇
III) (Boya Chinese: Advanced, vol. 3). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours: 72-
90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Spoken Chinese
These courses on Spoken Chinese (kouyu 口语) emphasize conversational Chinese through
texts, which include exercises in vocabulary, grammar, and sentence construction. The
exercises are context-oriented and provide students practical vocabulary through dialogues
and pattern drills.

Elementary Spoken Chinese II

Textbook: Dai Guifu, et al. Chuji Hanyu Kouyu (2) 初级汉语口语(2) (Elementary Spoken
Chinese, vol. 2). Contact hours: 100-120. Beijing: Peking University Press. Recommended
credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Elementary Spoken Chinese III

Textbook: Dai Guifu, et al. Chuji Hanyu Kouyu (Tigao Pian) 初级汉语口语(提高篇)
(Elementary Spoken Chinese, Improvement). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 100-120. Recommended credit: 6 semester/9 quarter hours.

Intermediate Spoken Chinese I

Textbook: Liu Delian 刘德联 and Liu Xiaoyu 刘晓雨. Zhongji Hanyu Kouyu (1) 中级汉语
口语(1) (Intermediate Spoken Chinese, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.
Intermediate Spoken Chinese II
Textbook: Liu Delian 刘德联 and Liu Xiaoyu 刘晓雨. Zhongji Hanyu Kouyu (2) 中级汉语
口语(2) (Intermediate Spoken Chinese, vol. 2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Intermediate Spoken Chinese III

Textbook: Liu Delian, et al. Zhongji Hanyu Kouyu (Tigao Pian) 中级汉语口语(提高篇)
(Intermediate Spoken Chinese, Improvement). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Advanced Spoken Chinese I

Textbook: Zu Renzhi 祖人植 and Ren Xuemei 任雪梅. Gaoji Hanyu Kouyu (1) 高级汉语口
语(1) (Advanced Spoken Chinese, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:
72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Advanced Spoken Chinese II

Textbook: Liu Yuanman 刘元满, Ren Xuemei 任雪梅 and Jin Shunian 金舒年. Gaoji Hanyu
Kouyu (2) 高级汉语口语(2) (Advanced Spoken Chinese, vol. 2). Beijing: Peking University
Press. Contact hours: 72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Advanced Spoken Chinese III

Textbook: Liu Yuanman, et al. Gaoji Hanyu Kouyu (Tigao Pian) 高级汉语口语(提高篇)
(Advanced Spoken Chinese, Improvement). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:
72-90. Recommended credit: 4.5 semester/6.75 quarter hours.

Chinese Language Electives at Peking University

Some Chinese language elective courses may not be offered both semesters.

Elementary & Intermediate Chinese Language Electives

This elective is appropriate for students placed in Elementary Intensive Chinese II –
Intermediate Intensive Chinese I

Elementary Chinese Listening Comprehension

This course (Chuji Tingli 初级听力) is divided into two sections. Students placed in Reading
in Chinese - Elementary II use volume one and students placed in Intermediate I use volume
two of the course textbook. Textbook: Lin Huan 林欢. Hanyu Chuji Tingli Jiaocheng (Shang,
Xia Ce) 汉语初级听力教程(上、下册) (Chinese Elementary Listening Course, vol. 1-2).
Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5
quarter hours.

Intermediate & Advanced Chinese Language Electives

These electives are appropriate for students placed in Intermediate Intensive Chinese II –
Advanced Intensive Chinese II

Chinese Pronunciation Correction

This course (Zhengyin 正音) helps students correct pronunciation mistakes and trains them in
proper pronunciation. It also helps students understand pronunciation methods and enables
them to form correct pronunciation habits. Textbook: Wang Ruojiang 王若江. Hanyu
Zhengyin Jiaocheng 汉语正音教程 (Teaching Materials for Spoken Chinese Pronunciation
Correction). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:26. Recommended credit: 1.5
semester/2.25 quarter hours.

Intermediate Audiovisual and Oral Chinese

This course (Zhongji Shi-Ting Shuo 中级视听说) helps students to understand Chinese
people’s daily lives and Chinese culture through audiovisual and oral exercises based on the
popular Chinese situation comedy series, Home with Kids. It is designed to improve their
Chinese proficiency level as well as intercultural communication competence. Textbook: Liu
Lixin 刘立新 and Deng Fang 邓方. Hanyu Shi-ting Shuo Jiaocheng: Jia You Er-Nü 汉语视
听说教程:家有儿女 (Home with Kids: A Multi-Skill Chinese Course). Beijing: World
Publishing Corporation. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter
hours.

Intermediate Business Chinese

This course (Zhongji Shangwu Hanyu 中级商务汉语) teaches Chinese language in relation
to business and communication. It enables students to engage in simple business activities
such as visiting a company, attending meetings, ordering goods, making inquiries and claims,
and negotiating insurance. Textbook: Cui Huashan 崔华山. Xin Silu: Zhongji Sucheng
Shangwu Hanyu 新丝路:中级速成商务汉语 (New Silk Road: Intermediate Business
Chinese). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3
semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Intermediate Chinese Characters

This course (Zhongji Hanzi 中级汉字) teaches Chinese characters, learning methods, ways to
improve compositions, pronunciation, and meaning of Chinese characters, and helps students
develop more complex vocabularies. Textbook: Li Dasui 李大遂. Xitong Xue Hanzi
(Zhongji Ben) 系统学汉字(中级本) (Chinese Characters: A Systematic Approach,
Intermediate Volume). Beijing: Sinolingua Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3
semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Intermediate Chinese Grammar

This course (Zhongji Yufa 中级语法) reviews basic Chinese grammatical patterns and
introduces complex grammatical structures. Textbook: Xu Jingning 徐晶凝. Zhongji Hanyu
Yufa Jiangyi 中级汉语语法讲义 (Intermediate Chinese Grammar Course). Beijing: Peking
University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Intermediate Chinese Listening Comprehension

This course (Zhongji Tingli 中级听力) helps students improve their language skills and
listening abilities with exercises in Chinese. Textbook: Liu Yuanman 刘元满, ed. Hanyu
Zhongji Tingli Jiaocheng (Shang, Xia Ce) 汉语中级听力教程 (上、下册) (Chinese
Intermediate Listening Course, vol. 1-2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours: 26.
Recommended credit: 1.5 semester/2.25 quarter hours.

Intermediate Newspaper Chinese

This course (Zhongji Baokan 中级报刊) guides students to correctly understand the contents
and master the skills for reading Chinese newspapers and periodicals, improve their
understanding of China and Chinese culture, and expand their vocabulary and improve their
ability in Chinese reading. Textbook: Xiao Li 肖立. Baokan Yuyan Jichu Jiaocheng (Shang)
报刊语言基础教程 (上). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended
credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Intermediate Writing
This course (Zhongji Xiezuo 中级写作) provides practice in learning Chinese characters, as
well as helping students increase their vocabulary, learn new grammar, and improve their
writing skills. Textbook: Luo Qingsong 罗青松. Fazhan Hanyu: Zhongji Hanyu Xiezuo
(Shang) 发展汉语•中级汉语写作 (上) (Intermediate Writing, vol. 1). Beijing: Beijing
Language and Culture University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3
semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Advanced Chinese Language Electives

This elective is appropriate for students placed in Advanced Intensive Chinese II, III

Lectures on Chinese Language and Culture

This course (Zhongguo Yuyan Wenhua Jiangzuo 中国语言文化讲座) is a lecture series on
Chinese language and culture presented by the faculty of the School of Chinese as a Second
Language. There are 14 topics in total, including discussions of linguistics, literature, and art,
ideology, and culture. Textbook: Zhang Ying 张英 and Jin Shunian 金舒年, eds. Zhongguo
Yuyan Wenhua Jiangzuo (I-II) 中国语言文化讲座 (I-II) (Lectures of Chinese Language and
Culture, vol. 1-2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:26. Recommended credit:
1.5 semester/2.25 quarter hours.

Advanced Business Chinese

This course (Gaoji Shangwu Hanyu 高级商务汉语) fosters listening comprehension skills,
speaking, reading, and writing of Chinese needed in business activities. Students deepen their
understanding of the economic life, society, and culture of China in relation to business.
Textbook: Li Xiaoqi 李晓琪 and Li Haiyan 李海燕. Xin Silu: Gaoji Sucheng Shangwu
Hanyu (Shang, Xia) 新丝路:高级速成商务汉语 (上、下) (New Silk Road: Advanced
Business Chinese, vol. 1-2). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:52.
Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Advanced Chinese Writing

This course (Gaoji Xiezuo 高级写作) helps advanced Chinese learners improve their written
expressions and focuses on increasing vocabulary and reading skills. Textbook: Jin Shunian
金舒年, Liu Delian 刘德联 and Zhang Wenxian 张文贤. Liuxuesheng Shiyong Hanyu
Xiezuo Jiaocheng (Shang) 留学生实用汉语写作教程 (上) (A Practical Chinese Writing
Course for Foreigners, vol. 1). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours:52.
Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Advanced Newspaper Chinese

This course (Gaoji Baokan 高级报刊) uses extensive reading materials from Chinese media,
enabling students to learn about the Chinese economy, culture, law, and education systems. It
is designed to help students master Chinese newspaper reading and expand their knowledge
and vocabulary. Textbook: Zhao Yunhui 赵昀晖. Meiti Hanyu Gaoji Yuedu 媒体汉语高级
阅读 (Advanced Chinese Reading in Media). Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.
Ancient Chinese
This course (Gudai Hanyu 古代汉语) teaches common vocabulary, grammar, and general
cultural knowledge of ancient Chinese. It fosters basic competency in reading ancient
Chinese literature and further improves students’ written Chinese. Textbook: Wang Shuo 王
硕. Hanyu Guwen Duben 汉语古文读本. Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours:52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Chinese Function Words

This course (Hanyu Xuci 汉语虚词) helps students master the usage of main Chinese
particles, grammar, and expressions in both spoken and formal settings. It focuses primarily
on practical usage of particles and somewhat on theory. Textbook: Li Xiaoqi 李晓琪.
Xiandai Hanyu Xuci Jiangyi 现代汉语虚词讲义. Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact
hours: 52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.=

Chinese History
This course (Zhongguo Lishi 中国历史) provides students a comprehensive overview of
Chinese history, and is designed to help students gain a general understanding of the subject,
and build more specialized vocabulary and practice basic methods of the discipline, with a
goal to connect the study of Chinese language and the field of Chinese history. Textbook:
Zhao Yanfeng 赵延风. Zhongguo Lishi Zhuanye Hanyu Jiaocheng 中国历史专业汉语教程.
Beijing: Peking University Press. Contact hours: 52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5
quarter hours.

Chinese Language through Films

This course (Ying-Shi Hanyu 影视汉语) uses Chinese language films produced in mainland
China, as a way to increase students’ Chinese vocabulary and insight into the world of
Chinese cinema and contemporary Chinese culture and introduces them to the development
of the Chinese film industry. Contact hours: 52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter
hours.

English-Chinese Translation
This course (Ying-Han Fanyi 英汉翻译) enables students to master basic methods for
English-Chinese translation and requires they translate an extensive range of general articles.
It reinforces their understanding of Chinese sentence structures and expression rules, as well
as helps them improve their ability to express themselves, expand their vocabulary, and
strengthens their ability to communicate in culturally appropriate ways. Contact hours:52.
Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.

Survey of China
This course (Zhongguo Gaikuang 中国概况) enables international students to learn about
China and its language. It also helps them gain relevant professional knowledge, while
significantly improving their reading, listening comprehension, and speaking skills.
Textbook: Wang Shunhong 王顺洪. Zhongguo Gaikuang 中国概况. Beijing: Peking
University Press. Contact hours:52. Recommended credit: 3 semester/4.5 quarter hours.