Girl writing Chinese characters on a blackboard at a remote school in Northern Thailand. - stock photo

Embedded Certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language

Are you passionate about the Chinese language? Interested in pursuing language teaching as a career pathway? Want a competitive edge after you graduate?

About the certificate

Enhance your undergraduate degree.

Learn how to teach Chinese as a second language!

This embedded certificate is the first of its kind in Canadian universities.

And the embedded certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language is delivered fully online, making it accessible and flexible.

Stock photo: young asian entrepreneur contemplating in office

The embedded certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language is delivered fully online, enhancing accessibility and flexibility

Chinese takes its place on the world stage

Why is Chinese important now?

Education growth

Chinese language programs are growing in K to 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

Gain a competitive edge

This certificate will give you a competitive edge towards teaching employment in K-12 public and private schools and Chinese language community schools.

What will you learn?

Gain knowledge in:

  • applied linguistics

  • second language acquisition

  • language pedagogy

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

Talk to a program advisor about adding the certificate to your degree today!

As easy as 1,2,3

Follow these steps to enroll in the certificate

Talk to an advisor

See if the certificate is right for you. Work out a roadmap to finishing your degree and certificate successfully.

Book an appointment

Declare the certificate

Add the program to your student centre: Under the “Admissions” header, select “Change of Program” and complete the online application to add the embedded certificate to your degree.

Questions?

For more information about the embedded certificate, contact Wei Cai

Email wcai@ucalgary.ca

Requirements

To earn the embedded certificate in Teaching Chinese as a Second Lanuage, you will successfully complete a minimum of 15 units from the courses below:

a) Core course: 12 units

b) Elective courses: 3 units

  1. CHIN 353: Introduction to Chinese Language and Linguistics

    An overview of Chinese linguistics. Provides an introduction to linguistic concepts and topics to enhance understanding of the structure of the Chinese language. 

  2. CHIN 411: Foundations of Chinese Language Learning and Teaching

    Addresses theories in learning and teaching Chinese as a second/foreign language. Examines fundamental concepts and critical issues in the field such as learner strategies, motivation and teaching methods.

  3. CHIN 412: Aspects of Chinese Language Teaching and Learning

    Addresses practice in learning and teaching Chinese as a second/foreign language. 

  4. CHIN 413: Topics in Experiential Chinese Language Teaching

    A course that integrates experiential teaching and explains how societal, educational and pragmatic contexts affect Chinese language teaching.

View course calendar

You will select one elective course from the following list:

1. Language 451: Topics in Cross-Cultural and Cross-Linguistic Exploration
2. Language 500: Cross-Cultural and Cross-Linguistic Research Projects
3. Language 599: Topics in the Study of Language
4. Education 430: Pragmatics of Learning and Teaching
5. Education 435: Literacy, Language and Culture

*Note: Education 430 and 435 are restricted to students in the BEd program.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students 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.