This article is in the Nov. 15 edition of The Daily Universe

BYU offers one of the top Chinese language programs in the nation, the Chinese Flagship Program. However, it is better known outside of BYU than at BYU.

The program attracted members of a Chinese delegation to campus Monday. Known as the Hanban, the delegation is part of the Chinese National Office for Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language.

"The Chinese Flagship Program is of great interest to our delegation," said Qingchao Fang, head of the Hanban delegation. "The students here have a high proficiency in the Chinese language."

The program was established four years ago and has already achieved great success, said Dana Bourgerie, professor of Chinese and director of the program. Its goal is to prepare students for careers related to China. The two-year program involves one year on campus and one year at an internship in China. Students complete a variety of advanced Chinese courses to enhance their undergraduate education.

With only 21 students currently in the program, admission is competitive. Applicants must demonstrate a high level of Chinese proficiency. However, there is no requirement with regard to major, and past students have majored in everything from international relations to engineering. Participation in the program brings a Chinese application to their field of study.

"We hope people of many different backgrounds will apply," Bourgerie said. "The program gives you a special preparation that very few people have."

Fang said the delegation was deeply impressed with their visit to campus. They were able to tour campus facilities and see an upper-level Chinese class in action.

BYU's Chinese language program is well known to the Hanban. The university is consistently in the top three national universities for Chinese language, with almost 500 students enrolling in language courses each year.

"The Chinese Flagship Program is a great opportunity for students," said Erin Fletcher, student administrator for the program. "It is getting international attention, but most people on campus don't even know about it."



Copyright Brigham Young University 14 Nov 2005