Español

Studies & Degrees in Asian Languages

Choose where you would like to study Asian Languages:

AustriaCanadaDenmarkIndiaThailandThe United States

As the political and economic balance in the world is said to be shifting towards Asia, or more specifically towards Asia’s first world countries, studies in Asian Languages receive more attention and focus from both Asian and Western students willing to get a solid basis of disciplinary studies and education related to the Asian world.

The study of Asian Languages offers instruction in the principal languages and cultures of East, Southeast, Central, and South Asia. Asian Languages are taught through linguistic, textual and literary approaches. Studying a language implies studying the countries where it is spoken. Besides linguistics, the student of Asian languages will also be introduced to Asian art history, Asian classics, comparative literature, Asian economics, political science, and religious studies. This broad knowledge will enable them to acquire an in-depth Asian consciousness and rigorous thought on historical and contemporary events related to Asian Languages. Students will also gain proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking Asian languages, in order to develop into competent communicators with a profound understanding of Asian countries, Asian societies, and Asian cultures.

Asian Languages are featured in various majors and non-majors alike. While some programs provide an overview of Asian languages, most of them specialize in one specific area: there are for instance Bachelor of Arts degrees in East-Asia languages, in South-Asia languages, or in South-East Asia languages. Other programs focus on one language only, such as Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Hindi or Sanskrit, among others. Asian Language studies also offer research programs aimed at future teachers in the field of Asian humanities.

Asian Language studies form an extensive area of education that is part of a much broader area of studies: Asian cultures. This is why most universities that provide education in Asian Languages also offer scholarship programs to foreign students and send their own students to foreign universities. It is only through immersion that students of Asian languages will acquire a real understanding of the culture(s) they are majoring in, and gain speech fluency in the Asian language(s) they are studying.

Job positions for Asian Languages:

Chinese Interpreter

Though many Chinese who are managers and government officials speak English, their communication skills still require more polishing and assistance from the native speakers themselves or qualified Chinese Interpreters. Therefore, in formal meetings, business transactions, negotiations, and other special gatherings hold in China, Chinese interpreters are still employed to perform communication and interpretation services and meet their purpose afterwards.

The demand for Chinese Interpreters is high because they perform key roles in achieving successful communication in various communication exchanges. Imagine a gathering wherein you don’t understand a word a Chinese government official is saying; he will not simply get misunderstood but his message will totally lost on his audience. This is also the reason why the roles of a Chinese Interpreter shouldn’t be underestimated at all.

Chinese Interpreters are indispensable not just in business transactions but in any other occasion that requires exchange of ideas, opinions, and communication spoken between the Chinese language and another foreign language. In China, more than one Chinese Interpreter is needed in assisting their clients in many discussions and discourses.

On the part of Chinese Interpreters, the role and duties are tiring especially if the discussion takes place longer or if the communication requires profound explanation. Without proper methods of interpreting, the exchange of ideas cause lost meaning or misinterpretation. Nuances may be interpreted differently. To avoid such terrible things from happening, it is necessary to hire two or more Chinese Interpreters at the same time.

The involvement of Chinese Interpreters in meetings and discussions are great and essential. Thus, before such events make sure that you have provided your Chinese Interpreter with comprehensive orientation so that everything that has been set will be attained.

As a Chinese Interpreter, it is vital that jargons and other terminologies are known by the interpreter. In most cases of formal meetings and discussions, simultaneous interpreting is needed. This form of interpretation is done during large seminars and conferences. Therefore, as a Chinese Interpreter, it is expected that you have undergone professional training and as much as possible you should possess fluent bilingual Chinese and English communication skills.

Events such as presentations and speeches also require the services from a Chinese Interpreter. The need to get everything well-interpreted relies on the interpretation skills and proficiencies of the Interpreter since good performance with this kind of job means well done exchange of ideas and expressions. This objective is relevant in gaining an overall understanding of what is being discussed.

The Chinese language is identified as particularly tricky language compared to other world languages. Large number of Chinese words if interpreted the wrong way will result in mistakes and as expected plenty opportunities for confusion.

Moreover, Chinese Interpreters are expected to be aware of Chinese language’s jokes and witticisms. The translation and interpretation of Chinese jokes and witticisms should be well-communicated to every interlocutor involved in the discussion or discourse so that understanding without offending the other party will take place.

Everything that has been said pertains to the main idea that the role of Chinese Interpreters in formal meetings and discourse are highly regarded.

Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist

Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist must have certifications and diploma in pedagogy, linguistics, second language acquisitions, and other related fields. A Specialist should be equipped with instructional methods in the principal languages of China which also include understanding Chinese literatures.

As specialists, they are expected to have expertise in the regional culture and are fluent in using the Chinese language and if possible other Chinese dialects deemed relevant in providing university-level experience of teaching Chinese. Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist employs communicative, proficiency-based learning method, and has native or almost fluent communication skills in using both Chinese and English languages.

China is striving as a world power with its rapid growth and influence in world’s economy, social, cultural transformation, and politics. Learning the Chinese language and its culture, along with its roles and responsibilities in other Asian countries and the world, is the principal instructional duty that a Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist is required to do. More so, the function of the Chinese Specialist extends to the cultures of China using linguistic, literary, and textual analyses.

Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist’s qualifications, which are identified as invaluable when it comes to instruction and training of students, include knowledge and proficiency in topics such as identity representations of contemporary China, popular religion in China, calligraphy translations, and other courses in Chinese language and culture.

The tasks and duties of Chinese Language and Cultural Specialist seem to be synonymous with the qualifications of Chinese Teachers. Chinese teachers are getting high demands across the globe specifically in intermediate schools in the United States. High quality Chinese language instruction in elementary and students with high-advanced level skills in Chinese language and culture are the target participants and students for most schools demanding Chinese Language and Cultural Specialists.

The essential functions and responsibilities of Chinese Teacher and Chinese Cultural Specialist include the following:

1. Qualified to provide effective and appropriate differentiated language instruction for learners who belong in other cultures.

2. Able to provide high standard language instruction that incorporates culturally-accurate learning experience.

3. Competent in developing thematic language curriculum for the entire Chinese learning and teaching program.

4. Proficient in integrating teaching and learning strategies that support developing Chinese literacy for diverse students.

5. Value the interaction needed in promoting Chinese language and encourage all students to produce output as part of learning.

6. Adept in supporting achievement and bilingualism within an enriched educational model that is very much linked to Chinese teaching strategies and learning experiences.

7. Language and Cultural Specialist should possess the skills in dealing and interacting with the families of the students. This function is highly relevant since it promotes family involvement as it supports student learning process, too.

More functions and duties are at stake in a kind of job related to Chinese language instruction from schools and companies from across the world, with more emphasis on Asian countries. Language and cultural studies made possible by professionals with Chinese language and culture teaching certifications and diploma are indispensable when it comes to understanding China’s role in global activities and events particularly in the education sector.