Over the past three decades, China has maintained the world’s highest economic growth rate, and has become the fourth largest economy and the third largest trader in the world. Now China also has the world’s largest English education market. China is a country rich in culture and tradition with a continuous civilisation stretching back nearly 5,000 years. The influence of traditional Chinese culture can be felt throughout East and Southeast Asia, particularly in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Studying Chinese will provide you with a better understanding of the cultures of the Chinese-speaking world as well as East Asian values. The Diploma in Language and Culture (DipLangC) and Diploma in Language (DipLang) are separate, recognised and endorsed qualifications for students who wish to complete a programme of study in one of the five core languages taught in the Department of Languages and Cultures: Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

In recent years there has been an increase in links between New Zealand and China in educational, cultural, and particularly economic areas. NZ has entered into the final stage in its negotiation with China for a free-trade agreement, which is likely to be signed within a couple of years. There is a definite need for people who understand Chinese culture and who can communicate effectively with Chinese speakers. An Otago degree in Chinese language and culture will guarantee you a better chance of finding jobs in tourism, trade, interpretation/translation, banking, mass media, as well as in foreign affairs and other government agencies. China, as the largest English-education market, has an insatiable demand for English language teachers at various levels of education from primary school up to university. During their in-country study, most of our students teach English in China while learning Chinese, and some continue their study as postgraduate students or are employed by overseas companies or joint ventures in China after graduation.