Chinese and Japanese Programs
- I am interested in taking Chinese or Japanese language classes. How do I know which class is right for me?
Students with no background in the language will enroll in the beginning course. CHN 001 for Chinese or JPN 001 for Japanese.
Students who have a background in the language (heritage/native speaker, AP/IB exams, formal classroom study) are required to take the placement exam and meet with our Lead Language Instructor for a brief interview for accurate course placement.
Please visit the UC Davis Language Center for more information.
- If I cannot enroll into the language course that I have been placed into, can I take a higher level now and then take the course I placed into later?
- No, students are not permitted to skip to language levels of their choice. This is called "back-tracking" and violates university policy.
- How do I declare Chinese or Japanese as my new major or as a second major?
- You will need to declare your major with the Change of Program Petition form in OASIS. You can access this petition in the "Forms & Petitions" tab in OASIS; click on "Submit a New Form" and choose "Change of Program Petition". You will then select the "Change Major(s), Degree Type (A.B., B.S.), or Academic Options" option and click "Next". On the next page, you will choose "Chinese" or "Japanese" from the drop down menu to change your major or click on the "Add Major" box to add Chinese or Japanese as your second major. From here, you can you can click "Submit" or you can choose to add comments or upload documents (not required, but an option) before submitting.
- Can I choose P/NP for my Chinese or Japanese major courses?
Students may take up to two regular, letter-graded courses that are used for major requirements as a P/NP grade.
Note: If you choose to take a course as P/NP, you will receive a P if you earn a C- or higher and an NP if you earn a D+ or lower.
In the college of Letters and Science there are limits on how many overall units can be taken as P/NP. You can read more about the P/NP restrictions here.
- I am interested in a Chinese or Japanese minor. What do I need to do?
- Make an appointment with the Academic Advisor for Chinese and Japanese to discuss the minor requirements and placement exam process.
- When should I declare a Chinese or Japanese minor?
- Minor declarations require a Change of Program Petition form in OASIS and can be submitted once you register for your final minor course. You can access this petition in the "Forms & Petitions" tab in OASIS; click on "Submit a New Form" and choose "Change of Program Petition". You will then select the "Change Minor(s)" option and click "Next". On the next page, you can add Chinese or Japanese as your minor from the drop down menu. From here, you can you can click "Submit" or you can choose to add comments or upload documents (not required, but an option) before submitting.
- Can I choose P/NP for my Chinese or Japanese minor courses?
Students may take one regular, letter-graded course that is used for minor requirements as a P/NP grade.
Note: If you choose to take a course as P/NP, you will receive a P if you earn a C-or higher and an NP if you earn a D+ or lower.
In the college of Letters and Science there are limits on how many overall units can be taken as P/NP. You can read more about the P/NP restrictions here.
- How often should I visit my Chinese or Japanese advisor?
- It is recommended to meet with your Academic Advisor at least once per quarter. This gives students an opportunity to ask any questions they might have, check major progress, etc. Make an appointment here.
Placement Exams (Chinese and Japanese)
- Is the Placement Exam mandatory?
- Anyone wanting to take a Chinese or Japanese language course who has had significant exposure to the Chinese or Japanese language (whether as a heritage/native speaker, AP/IB exams, formal classroom study) must take the Placement Exam and meet with a Lead Language Instructor for a brief interview for accurate course placement.
- What is the difference between the Placement Exam and the Proficiency Exam?
The Placement Exam is only used for course placement; this is for students with a background in the language who are planning to continue their language study at UC Davis.
The Proficiency Exam is used for satisfying foreign language requirements and for course placement. This is a proctored, in-person exam taken at the UC Davis Language Center in Olson 53.
Please visit the UC Davis Language Center for more information.
- What is the format of the Placement Exam?
The Placement Exam consists of a background survey and a multiple-choice exam. It may take up to 60 minutes depending on your current proficiency. You do not need to prepare for the exam; the purpose of the exam is to identify and evaluate your language proficiency in order to place you in the most appropriate language course.
You will receive your results immediately upon completion of the exam. After the exam, you will email your results to the Lead Language Instructor to schedule a time to meet for the interview portion and final placement.
Chinese Lead Language Instructor: Ling-Yu Lu ([email protected])
Japanese Lead Language Instructor: Junko Ito ([email protected])
- I took the AP or the IB exam, shouldn't this indicate what my language proficiency is?
- No, taking the Chinese or Japanese language AP or IB exam does not clearly indicate which language course would be best for you to continue your language studies in. Some students with the same score are ready for the third year of the language while others are better suited in the second year. Because of this difference, we require students with AP or IB exams to take the Placement Exam for accurate course placement.