Students

The opportunities in China to teach or work using the English language are clearly limited. In light of this, FOC facilitates the study of Mandarin and minority languages by introducing students to selected universities. We normally advise at least two years’ full-time formal language study as a foundation for achieving adequate fluency to function in Mandarin. Many continue for up to 3 or occasionally 4 years of study. This emphasis on good language acquisition is part of what FOC believes is involved in becoming a true "Friend" of China. To increase the language skills of our personnel, FOC has appointed one of our personnel as Language Consultant. He is based in the Shaanxi Representative Office, and is responsible for helping to improve the language acquisition of our personnel throughout China.

Most of those introduced to these select universities to study are well-qualified experts in fields other than Chinese language. Their goal in studying Mandarin is to facilitate their future work in China either as teachers, as entrepreneurs, or in development work. In an effort to prepare them even better for their future work, FOC is taking steps to provide more extensive orientation and cultural training for these students. It is FOC's sincere desire that these individuals will make a long-lasting contribution to China’s development. An encouraging trend has been that the number of those studying Chinese has significantly increased over the past few years.

As part of our commitment to developing the West of China, FOC also facilitates the study of minority languages by introducing students to selected universities. With FOC’s growing involvement in working with local governments for sustainable development of minority areas, fluency in both Mandarin and a minority language is required. FOC normally advises that any study of the minority languages would occur after achieving at least a basic proficiency in Mandarin.

This map shows the provinces and municipalities where language students who were introduced through FOC were studying during 2004.