Academics in the Chinese Language Flagship
The Flagship program enhances your Chinese language learning.
"The Flagship Program provided both academic and real-life challenges. Through these experiences I became more self-reliant and confident when facing unfamiliar and daunting situations."
Jitin Chatlani (B.A. in Chinese and International Studies '10)
Salesforce Consultant, Ad Victoriam Solutions
Chinese Language Flagship Program
Classes are focused on student performance and are conducted in Chinese. Students take classes at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and in China & Taiwan. Each semester students enroll in one Chinese language course in addition to coursework related to their own major. After achieving Advanced High proficiency by the spring semester of their senior year, students spend a fifth “capstone” year of study and internship in Taiwan to achieve Superior proficiency.
Courses train students to interact with Chinese language and culture using the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Subjects include Chinese language, culture, politics, and economics.
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Non-Flagship Chinese Major and Minor
Students may major or minor in Chinese without participating in the Chinese Language Flagship program. Learn more about studying Chinese without being in the Flagship program.
(Non-Flagship) Chinese Major and Minor
Flagship Roadmap
To earn the B.A. in Chinese, students complete 30 semester hours of Chinese courses beyond the 200-level credits. See the full requirements in the online catalog.
Chinese Flagship is a flexible program that prides itself on its ability to adapt to students’ needs. With the Director’s permission, students may substitute courses that best fit their busy schedules. Individualized instruction can sometimes be offered in lieu of the courses listed in the roadmap. The Flagship Roadmap more than meets the requirements for the Chinese major.
The Flagship program begins on the UM campus the summer prior to the freshman year.
Learn about the Pre-Freshman Summer Program.
The information below represents the most common pathway a student will take on his/her road to the Superior level of proficiency. Actual selection and timing of courses will depend on each learner’s language background, progress, and non-Chinese language coursework.
The Chinese Flagship Roadmap
| Semester | Courses (Credit Hours) | Location | Description |
| Pre-Freshman Summer | Intensive Chinese I, II (10) | UM Campus | those with no prior knowledge of Chinese begin with an intensive eight-week language program at UM |
| Freshman Year | Intensive Intermediate Chinese (12) | UM Campus | study the vocabulary and grammar patterns to discuss topics related to daily life |
| Summer | Chin 315: Chinese Practicum | Taipei, Taiwan | UM Flagship program at Tamkang University in Taiwan; develop intercultural communicative competence |
| Sophomore Year | Chin 313, 314: Media Chinese I, II | UM Campus | classes on topics related to culture and society |
| Summer (optional) | Chin 315: Chinese Practicum II | Taiwan or China | |
| Junior Year | Chin 417: Intro to Modern Chinese Lit; Chin 418: Intro to Classical Chinese; Chin 450: Domain Mentorship | UM Campus | courses begin to use authentic language materials; some students spend either fall or spring semester abroad |
| Senior Year | Chin 513: China and the World; Chin 510: Classical Chinese Literature; Chin 450: Domain Mentorship | UM Campus | instruction on advanced syntax and semantics necessary to achieve high proficiency levels in preparation for intensive capstone (fifth) year |
| Capstone Year | 2 Flagship courses; 2-3 university courses; Internship | Taiwan | in fall, take language courses and classes in own area of interest; in spring, complete internship |
Peer Tutoring
Beginner and intermediate students are offered free weekly peer tutoring through a program in which Flagship upperclassmen work one-on-one with underclassmen on specific objectives with which the students need assistance. This helps freshmen and sophomores become comfortable speaking Chinese with fellow students and, eventually, with native speakers of the language. And, upperclassmen often act as personal and academic mentors to the students they tutor.
Domain Mentoring
In students' junior and senior years, they have weekly individual meetings with graduate students who are native speakers of Chinese. Once again, Flagship students have the power to choose the topics discussed with their domain mentors. Students typically choose topics in their "domain" or field of study to acquire niche vocabulary to be used in the workplace upon graduation. Our domain mentors also offer cultural activities for the students to engage in, such as Chinese movie days, cooking activities, and more.
Language Partners
During the ccapstone year abroad, students are assigned Chinese language partners who are local university students that meet one-on-one with capstone students multiple times weekly. Capstone students can practice Chinese and have cultural experiences, such as a cooking demonstration (photo). Many students develop lasting relationships with their new friends.
Graduate Teaching Assistants Support the Program
Ms. Yi-Chieh Jessi Chen
Ms. Chen is pursuing her master’s degree in Applied Linguistics/TESOL at the University of Mississippi. She received her B.A. in English from National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan. She has achieved the status of Associate Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy. Before coming to Ole Miss, Ms. Chen served as an Education Specialist for the Bilingual Education Program at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University.
Ms. Shih-han Weng
Shihhan Weng is currently pursuing her master's degree in Applied Linguistics and TESOL at the University of Mississippi. She earned both her M.A. and B.A. in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language from National Taiwan Normal University. She has a diverse teaching background, having served as a Chinese lecturer in Bangkok, Thailand, and as a Chinese teacher at various language centers in Taiwan. Her personal research interests focus on the design of teaching materials and the development of pedagogical strategies.
Beyond the Classroom
Chinese Club
The Chinese Club hosts activities where students can meet outside of the classroom to practice Chinese. They host and attend guest speakers on a wide range of related topics about China and Chinese language and literature. They celebrate holidays such as the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival where students prepare skits, songs, and activities to actively participate in holiday festivities with the local Chinese community.
Global Ambassadors
Students have opportunities to interact with students from Chinese-speaking countries. For example, the Global Ambassadors program connects students from the United States and across the world to spend time each week building friendships across language and culture.