Jinan University, established in 1906, is a comprehensive university under the joint leadership of the Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council and the Education Ministry of P. R. China. The university is one of the top 100 national key universities in China. Adhering to the principle of "Oriented to students from overseas, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan", Jinan University now has over 30,000 full time students, including 12,145 students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and foreign countries, comprising the largest number of overseas students in China.
Founded in 1953, as one of the 20 colleges of Jinan University (Known as the Paramount Academy for overseas Chinese)), the College of Chinese Language and Culture is a unique institution of higher learning that specializes in offering to international students long or short-term courses and both degree and non-degree programs in Chinese as a second or foreign language(Chinese as L2), and pre-university program as well. Apart from general language courses, the College also offers Chinese for Specific Purpose course, such as Business Chinese and Cantonese.
The College was conferred as the "National Base of Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language" by The Education Ministry, and "Overseas Chinese Education Base" by Overseas Chinese Affairs Office of the State Council. The College is also one of the ten key institutions that facilitate Chinese teaching in neighboring countries under the guidance of the office of Chinese Language Council International. The College has become the top college in South China offering the programs of teaching Chinese as a second or foreign language(Chinese as L2) and overseas Chinese education. The major of Teaching Chinese as a Second or Foreign Language at the College was conferred the title of "Famous Brand of Guangdong Province". The College is one of the HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) centers in all levels, BCT (Business Chinese Test) and C.TEST centers. The College is also the training and testing center for certifying qualification to teaching Chinese as a foreign language in Guangdong province. In addition the College is an examination venue for the National Entrance Examination of Chinese Universities for overseas students and also the main examination venue for the Joint Entrance Examination of Jinan University and Huaqiao University for overseas students.
The college consists of the Department of Teaching Chinese as a Second or Foreign Language, the Department of Overseas Chinese Education, the Department of Applied Linguistics, Pre-University Department, Correspondence Course Department, Overseas Chinese Education Researching Institute, Overseas Chinese Researching Center, and Internet & Educational Technology Center. Currently, there are 204 staff members in the college, among whom there are 13 full professors, 20 associate professors, and 70 lecturers. 26 of the staff hold doctorate degrees, while 68 hold master degrees. There are also 3 doctorate candidates' supervisors and 17 are master candidates' supervisors.
The college offers multi-form, multi-level courses in various forms. In 2006, there were altogether 3,716 students at different levels, in which 147 were graduate students, 155 undergraduates from mainland China, 1,082 pre-university students, 1,041 full time international students from 55 Countries for Chinese learning, 721 students in training courses, and 570 international students in correspondence courses.
Located in Tianhe District, the new downtown and cultural center of Guangzhou, the college has easy access to metro and intercity commuting systems. Lying at the foot of a hillside, the college boasts large patches of greenery, fresh air, sports grounds and convenient entertainment and living facilities. With an international and diversified cultural environment, the college is the very place for you to learn Chinese language and culture.
