Each two-week session also includes one elective course. Executive Mandarin will introduce you to many different aspects of Chinese culture and heritage.

    Each Elective has 6 classes. Classes are held on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays afternoons of each week. The last Friday class of each elective will be a class day-trip to a destination of interest relevant to that elective class.

    The available elective courses change every 2-week session. Spend two weeks learning about ancient Chinese tradition and then two weeks learning contemporary Chinese business practices.

    Take a look at the Class Schedule section to see when each elective course is offered.

l History 1 l History 2 l Traditional Chinese Culture l
l Chinese Society Today l Business 1 l Business 2 l

History 1
    “From the dawn of Asia to the setting of the Qing Dynasty.”

    This survey course will apprise you of the major events, personalities, dynasties and philosophies that have molded classical Chinese history and thought.

     Explore and understand the oldest civilization in the world, how it has lasted through the millennia; why it supported isolationism, and what the “Middle Kingdom” really means.

Chinese Dynasties of highlight
Shang Dynasty
Qin Dynasty
Han Dynasty
Tang Dynasty
Song Dynasty
Yuan Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
Qing Dynasty

Classical Chinese figures of importance
Qin Shi Huang (First Emperor of the Qin)
Kong zi (Confucianism)
Lao zi (Taoism)
Sun Tzu (The Art of War)
Zheng He (The Imperial Ming Fleet)
Han Wu Di (First Emperor of the Han)
Li Bai ( China 's most famous poet)

History 2
“From the fall of Imperialism to Beijing , 2008”

    Explore modern China 's past 100 years, unquestionably the most turbulent era of Chinese history. This course will introduce the major events, personalities and philosophies that make China what it is today.  In this course you will investigate the underlying trends and movements which fuel the Chinese people's progress to the present day.

Highlighted modern Chinese events
1911 – The fall of the Qing, Revolution and the birth of a Chinese Republic
1919 to 1949 –The Chinese Civil War: the Kong Min Tang VS. the Chinese Communist Party
1937 to 1945 –Repelling Japan & World War II
1949 – The Establishment of the People's Republic of China
1952 – the Korean War
1958 – The Great Leap Forward
1965 to 1975 – The Cultural Revolution & the Vietnam War
1979 – Deng Xiao Peng & the Open-Door Policy
1989 – Tiananmen Square
1990's – The Chinese Economic Engine
2000's – Exponential Growth

Traditional Chinese Culture
Dive into a culture that spans several millennia. Learn about the fascinating practices of the traditional Chinese and understand how they existed. This course removes the veil of mystery surrounding this rich trove of customs and traditions.

Areas of Intrigue
Feet binding
Traditional Chinese Dress
Traditional Chinese Cuisine
Chinese Tea
Chinese Brushwork
Chinese Martial Arts
Chinese Porcelain
Chinese Jade
Chinese Architecture

Chinese society today
Understand the most challenging issues facing today's Chinese generation. First witness the newest trends coming out of modern China and discuss in Mandarin how these new developments will shape future China and the world.

Contemporary topics
Modern Chinese art
Modern Chinese theatre
Modern Chinese film
Modern Chinese fashion
The One Child Policy
Chinese Education system
The Changing Chinese identity
Modern Chinese hopes & dreams

Business 1
Learn the essentials and fundamentals of Chinese Business. Appreciate the complex, high-context art of courting Chinese business people. Understand what the Chinese see as success, what is a cultural blunder and learn how to handle each new situation. You will begin exploring the words and idioms associated with the Chinese business world. You will also have chances to practice role playing the business situations you are learning.

China Business Topics covered
Business Meetings
Business Relationships
Hosting a Delegation
Guan xi
Chinese Holidays

Business 2
Continue building your Chinese business aptitude. Practice different China business simulations with your classmates and teacher. Practice the vocabulary you learned, and the cultural nuances necessary to be a success in the China business world. Verse yourself in the vocabulary to help you make your China contacts. Business 2 can be taken without first completing Business 1.

China Business Topics covered
Negotiations
International Business Culture/ Relationships
Chinese Banquets
Chinese Weddings
Gift-Giving
Face