image of a teacher teaching a class

Certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

Are you passionate about becoming a Chinese language educator? Do you want to gain a competitive edge toward Chinese language teaching as a career pathway? Our program is for you! 

You don't need to be a UCalgary student to pursue this standalone certificate.
If you are a current student please see the embedded certificate.

About the certificate

Learn how to teach Chinese as a second language in K-12 schools!  

This undergraduate certificate is the first of its kind in Canadian universities. Gain knowledge and skills in teaching Chinese. Enhance your teaching practices and your students’ learning outcomes. 

All courses are available through online studies!

This certificate program is delivered fully online. We offer accessibility that grants you the greatest flexibility.

Chinese takes its place on the world stage

Why is Chinese important now?

Education growth

Chinese language programs are growing in K-12 systems in Canada and the U.S.

Business growth

Chinese is increasingly important in business and governments around the world

Immigration growth

Mandarin and Cantonese are Canada's top immigration languages

Who can earn the certificate and what will you study?

For future and current Chinese language teachers, this certificate is designed to support your professional development in K-12 public and private schools, community schools, post-secondary institutions, as well as Chinese language educators facing an international audience.

We encourage native Chinese speakers and learners with a strong background in Chinese language and culture to apply for this program.

This program enables you to become reflective practitioners who create learner-centered and problem-solving-oriented instructional experiences.  

Upon obtaining this certificate, you can effectively apply your classroom learning to address real-world teaching challenges, fostering a community of skilled and confident instructors.  

Gain knowledge in: 

  • applied linguistics 
  • second language acquisition 
  • language pedagogy 
  • linguistic features of the Chinese language 

Gain confidence in your teaching and participate in experiential learning opportunities. 

Talk to our program coordinator about how to apply! 

As easy as 1, 2, 3

Follow these steps to enroll in the certificate

Create an UCalgary eID

Before you apply, you must have a UCalgary eID. Use "eID Account Registration" below and create a guest account to apply as an Open Studies student.

eID Account Registration

Language assessment and placement

Application for this certificate program requires a formal language assessment and placement process. Visit the page below to learn more and begin the placement application. 

Assessment and placement

Apply for the certificate

Log in with your eID below and apply for the certificate in "Teaching Chinese as a Second Language".

Apply

Questions?

For more information about the certificate, contact our program coordinator.

Contact program coordinator

Admission requirements

  • Students are eligible to apply for an undergraduate certificate after completion of 12 units or more of academic course work from a recognized/accredited institution. 
  • The minimum admission GPA requirement is 2.00. 
  • Applicant’s Chinese language proficiency will be evaluated using standard placement procedures for Chinese courses, unless they have successfully completed Chinese 303 or higher.  

Completion requirements

To earn the certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, students will successfully complete a minimum of 15 units from: 

  • Core courses 12 units: Chinese 353, 411, 412 and 413 
  • Elective courses 3 units from: Language 451, 500, or 599 

To learn more about courses constituting the Teaching Chinese as a Second Language, please visit Program Details in the academic calendar below. 

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, you will: 

  1. Develop linguistic knowledge of the Chinese language with a view to effective teaching. 
  2. Apply knowledge in key concepts in applied linguistics, second language acquisition, and language pedagogy to teaching Chinese effectively. 
  3. Use evidence-based skills and strategies to design and lead learning activities that effectively support learning the unique language components of the Chinese language. 
  4. Develop cultural awareness of how societal, educational and pragmatic contexts impact classroom-teaching.