The opportunity to learn more about one of the world's richest cultures may be reason enough to study Mandarin (Chinese), but considering that it is the language of the largest market on earth, such study becomes an even better career move. Augustana students in Wuhan, China, 2005 Augustana students in Wuhan, China. Augustana is one of the few colleges in the country offering four years of Chinese language courses in addition to Chinese culture and calligraphy. The goal is to help students reach proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Augustana is a founding member of AsiaNetwork, and was among the first U.S. colleges to re-establish ties with China in the 1970s. Most years, an exchange scholar from Huazhong Normal University in Wuhan, China, teaches the 300- and 400-level courses and participates in scheduled conversation practice with all courses. Augustana offers a minor in Chinese, requiring 21 credits. Augustana's Chinese curriculum also offers students the opportunity to travel to Asia for an overseas term. This program gives students who choose to join the Asian Term the basic knowledge and skills necessary for their study abroad.

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