Overview
Click to OpenThis program has been suspended for summer 2021.
Explore our other active study abroad programs for summer 2021, or check out our travel assurances and updated health and safety guidelines.
This summer, fast-forward your Mandarin language skills in one of the most rapidly developing cities on earth. Kick learning into high gear with daily coursework and one-on-one classes suited to your level, whether you’re a first- or fifth-year Mandarin student. Add peer tutorials and language clinics, homestays, cultural activities and volunteering, and your summer in Shanghai will be one you’ll always value.
Follow our Travels:
Unique experiences
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Compress a year
of Mandarin progress into eight weeks with small classes and individual lessons.
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Maximize immersion
by living with a Chinese host family or roommate.
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Step outside to learn
via volunteering, cultural activities, and a weekend trip that includes practicing Mandarin in authentic situations.
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top speed in mph of the Shanghai Maglev Train
268 -
universities and colleges
30+ -
residents
24.3M
Location & Culture
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Your Destination
Perched on the banks of the Huangpu River and the East China Sea, Shanghai is China’s largest city by population, and a global hub of culture, commerce, and finance. Massively redeveloped over the past 20 years, the city boasts many of the world’s latest and greatest. The list includes uber-tall buildings stretching up in the new financial district Pudong, and the world’s fastest-growing rapid-transit system, featuring urban centers connected by elevated light rail, the world’s first commercial high-speed Maglev train, and 16 subway lines.
The Culture
EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Step back in time with a visit to Zhujiajiao, a traditional water town, known for its narrow, cobbled lanes, stone bridges, canals, and rich history.
- Choose a weekend away to learn more about cultures in different regions of China. Destinations may include:
- Historic Xi’an – Explore the ancient capital city at the western end of the Silk road and burial place of China’s first emperor.
- Beijing – Experience the Forbidden City and the Great Wall with a visit to the modern capital.
- Huangshan – See majestic Yellow Mountain in southern Anhui Province and visit Hongcun Village, where the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed.
Program Blogs
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Daily Life
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HOUSING
Homestays Ideal for students who want to make rapid progress with their language skills – Chinese families speak only Chinese. Students have their own bedrooms in the host family apartment, and share the living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Host apartments are a 15- to 45-minute walk or commute by public transportation from campus. Campus residence halls Students who choose to live on the ECNU campus room with a Chinese student, and speak only Chinese. There are shared kitchens and bathrooms on each floor, plus computer rooms, study areas, lounges, and laundry facilities. The hall is a 10-minute walk to the Study Center and close to public transportation.
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MEALS
Homestays: Students are invited to most meals, but should budget for lunches and some weekend meals. Residence halls: Students are responsible for meals. There are moderately priced cafeterias on campus.
Shanghai, China Where You'll Study
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CIEE Global Institute - Shanghai
On the downtown Putuo campus at East China Normal University.
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EAST CHINA NORMAL UNIVERSITY
Its two campuses include this downtown location.
Academics
Click to OpenAcademics
This program gives students a strong foundation in Chinese language through an intensive and Chinese language only environment. Designed for beginners and advanced Mandarin Chinese students alike, the program includes five course levels to develop your listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing skills, or elevate your language skills to a superior level, communicating with accuracy, fluency, and sophistication. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
The CIEE Global Institute – Shanghai is located on East China Normal University (ECNU)’s downtown Putuo campus and is known as the “Garden University” for its beautiful grounds by the Liwa River. Chinese language courses are taught by full-time CIEE faculty members, including the CIEE language director, and graduate students from ECNU. A committee of specialists in teaching Chinese as a second language holds these courses to the highest educational standards.
GPA
2.5
Language Prerequisites
There are no specific language requirements for this program.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Program Requirements
Students must take 2 consecutive, accelerated language courses
Program Credit
Total credit: 10 U.S. semester/15 quarter credits
Course Credit
CIEE accelerated language courses: 5 U.S. semester/7.5 quarter credits; 75 contact hours
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Academic Culture
CIEE courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. Accelerated language courses are demanding due to the fast pace of course content, and participation is essential. Attendance is required, and students should avoid scheduling travel during the week. In class, language instructors introduce new content and focus on improving students’ language accuracy and consistency through drills. Outside of class, students meet with peer tutors to reinforce the content and language skills learned in class. Additional hours of language tutoring can be arranged if necessary.
Class Format
Classes taught at the CIEE Global Institute are for CIEE students only. Chinese language classes are held Monday through Friday. Classes have an average of eight students and are typically co-taught by head language instructors and assistant language instructors. Students also meet with peer tutors for structured tutorials for at least two hours per week. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas.
Grading
The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are assessed based on daily homework, quizzes, and written and oral exams.
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Language of Instruction
Chinese
Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors.
Courses
Click to OpenCourse Information
Course Notes
Students will take an on-site placement exam and be registered in the appropriate language levels based on their results.
Summer 2021 Courses
Click to OpenSummer 2021 course offerings and syllabi will available in late fall.
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple Global Institutes and CIEE Centers.
Scholarships
Click to OpenScholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application. Learn more at the Scholarships & Grants section of our website.
See more scholarship infoDates & Fees
Click to OpenDates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
What's Included
Click to OpenWhat's Included
Our Staff
Click to OpenOur Staff
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Dr. Steve Chao
Director, Shanghai
Steve Chao is the Director at CIEE Shanghai Global Institute, responsible for all aspects of operations, including Academic, student service, finance, local partnership and government relations.
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Juan Zhang
Program Manager, Shanghai
Juan Zhang is responsible for all aspects of student service, student activity administration, internship programs.
Get Started
Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:-
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START AN APPLICATION
Apply Now
You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience! -
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CONNECT WITH YOUR CAMPUS STUDY ABROAD OFFICE
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad. -
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Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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