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Department of Modern Languages and Literatures {College of Liberal & Creative Arts}
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About the Department
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Contact Us:
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Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Humanities Building
Room 475
(415) 338-1421
foreign@sfsu.edu
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Chinese Program
Program Coordinator: Chris Wen-chao Li, wenchao@sfsu.edu
Undergraduate Advisers: Chris Wen-Chao Li, wenchao@sfsu.edu; Charles Egan,
chega@sfsu.edu; Frederik Green, fgreen@sfsu.edu
Graduate Adviser: Chris Wen-Chao Li, wenchao@sfsu.edu
Flagship Program Director: Charles Egan, chega@sfsu.edu
Flagship Program Assistant Director: Frederik Green, fgreen@sfsu.edu
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Study Chinese at San Francisco State University — with a vast selection of courses, dedicated
full-time faculty and students from all corners of the globe, your experience in cosmopolitan San
Francisco promises to be the experience of a lifetime. The Chinese program offers Bachelor’s
and Master’s degrees in Chinese, together with a professionally oriented Chinese Flagship
Program and a graduate-level Strategic Language Initiative (SLI) Translation-Interpretation
Certificate Program. Explore the different degree options and find out more about studying
Chinese at San Francisco State University.
Program Scope
Founded in 1959, the Chinese Program at San Francisco State University provides
comprehensive degree programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For all major and
minor options, the Chinese Program offers electives taught in both English and Chinese which
provide insight into one of the world’s oldest civilizations and inspire the student to view the
modern world from alternative perspectives. Courses on modern literature and film, taught in
Chinese, reflect the dynamic transformations of contemporary Chinese society and culture.
Training in the fundamentals of linguistics complements program goals by revealing the
underlying structures of language. To prepare students as fully as possible for future challenges,
the Chinese Program balances traditional academic offerings with practical courses such as
Business Chinese, Media Chinese, and Web Chinese, which equip students with career-related
language skills.
The Bachelor of Arts in Chinese is divided into three separate concentrations: Chinese Language,
designed for students with little or no background in Chinese language; Chinese Literature and
Linguistics, aimed at native and near-native speakers of Chinese language; and Flagship Chinese
Language, a federally funded honors program.
The Minor in Chinese Language is designed for beginning language learners, and is focused on
the buildup of proficiency in the Modern Standard Language.
The Minor in Chinese Literature and Linguistics, is designed for native and near-native speakers,
and requires coursework in advanced language, classical language, linguistics, literature, culture,
and oratory.
The Master of Arts in Chinese provides advanced training in the areas of literature, linguistics
and pedagogy, building a solid foundation for further study and language-related careers. Many
of our M.A. graduates advance to study and research at the doctoral level, and others develop
skills for China-related careers, including teaching Chinese as a second language, international
business and law, and translation and interpretation.
Chinese Flagship Program
Launched in 2009, the San Francisco State University Chinese Flagship program is an exciting
initiative for undergraduate students seeking careers related to China and the Chinese-speaking
world. By providing intensive language instruction and cultural training, including dedicated
classes and individual tutors for each student, the program works closely with each participant to
facilitate mastery and application of the language for long-term success.
The Chinese Flagship program is one of 26 critical language centers and programs funded by
The Language Flagship, a component of the National Security Education Program. Through an
innovative partnership among the federal government, education and business, The Language
Flagship seeks to graduate students who will take their place among the next generation of global
professionals.
Highlights of the Chinese Flagship program include:
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Guided intensive language study, peer tutoring and faculty mentoring at the home
campus
Summer overseas intensive language immersion in China or Taiwan
Language Flagship overseas capstone year in Nanjing or Tianjin, China
Language Flagship professional internship in China
Scholarship support for overseas study (U.S. citizens only)
For more information please visit the SF State Chinese Flagship website.
Strategic Languages Initiative (SLI) Certificate Program in
Chinese-English Translation and Interpretation
The Strategic Language Initiative (SLI) at San Francisco State University, part of the California
State University Strategic Language Initiative Consortium, offers a certificate program in
Chinese-English Translation and Interpretation, which aims to impart professional
translation/interpreting skills and enhance language proficiency in students with advanced-level
Chinese proficiency. The program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students with
native or near-native proficiency in both Chinese and English language committed to receiving
professional translator/interpreter training alongside the pursuit of their course of study.
The program consists of training modules both at the home campus and abroad. To be eligible
for the SLI Certificate of Completion, students must:
1. complete at least 6 units of coursework in translation and/or interpretation on the home
campus;
2. complete (via Study Abroad) 12 units of graduate-level coursework in translation and/or
interpretation at the Graduate Institute of Translation and Interpretation at National
Taiwan Normal University;
3. complete a translation project with the approval of the SLI director; and
4. achieve superior level or higher in the ACTFL/ILR Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI).
1. Home Campus Coursework (6) – choose from
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CHIN 411 Media Chinese (3)
CHIN 881 Translation (3)
CHIN 882 Consecutive and Simultaneous Interpretation (3)
CHIN 883 Advanced Translation and Interpretation (3)
2. Study Abroad Coursework (12)
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12 units of graduate level coursework (via Study Abroad) from the Graduate Institute of
Translation and Interpretation at National Taiwan Normal University
3. Translation Project
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Prior approval required
Project may double as undergraduate Culminating Experience or as one subject test in
graduate Culminating Experience
4. Oral Proficiency Interview
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Must achieve superior level or higher
Note that the SF State Strategic Language Initiative Certificate Program in Translation and
Interpretation is a mid-level translator/interpreter training program which seeks to impart aspects
of Chinese-English translation and interpretation theory and techniques to the novice learner. It is
not a translator/interpreter certification program; nor is it a credentialing program for teachers of
Chinese language and/or translation/interpretation.
Related Resources
Chinese Program Study Abroad
A note regarding study abroad, which applies to all Chinese degrees, concentrations and minors.
Learn more about Chinese Program Study Abroad
Chinese Program FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions for the Chinese Program are answered here.
Learn more about Chinese Program FAQs
Chinese Program Resources
Chinese Program learning resources, links and references.
Learn more about Chinese Program Resources
Media for the Chinese Program
View the documentary video by local San Francisco Chinese language television station KTSF
(Part I)
View the documentary video by local San Francisco Chinese language television station KTSF
(Part II)
View the Chinese Program at SF State University as portrayed in documentary by SFSU Chinese
Masters Program student Carol Xinxin Xie
Chinese M.A. Program Advancement to Candidacy
Current students can learn more here about the Advancement to Candidacy.
Learn more about Chinese M.A. Program Advancement to Candidacy
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San Francisco State University
A California State University Campus
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Department of Modern Languages and Literatures
Web Contact: foreign@sfsu.edu