NYU Shanghai offers two 6-week summer sessions and one 9-week Chinese language immersion program. Chinese language courses are available in both 6-week and 9-week (the total immersion program) formats, allowing applicants to choose based on their time commitment, goals, and preferred intensity level.
Note:
1. Six-Week Chinese Language Courses (Summer Sessions I & II)
Offered during both summer sessions, these six-week courses follow the same Elementary and Intermediate Chinese curriculum available during the academic year. They allow students to fulfill core language requirements, strengthen their Chinese proficiency, or pair language study with other summer courses or internships.
2. Nine-Week Chinese Immersion Program
This total-immersion experience is designed for students committed to advancing their Chinese to new heights. The program offers five levels of instruction, from Elementary Chinese through Fifth-Year Chinese. All participants sign a full language pledge to speak onlu Chinese during the program and follow an intensive schedule that includes morning classes, afternoon individual sessions, evening faculty-supported study hours, and co-curricular activities designed to support rapid progress. Admission is competitive and requires an interview.
If you are a visiting student and unsure which level of Chinese to take, please carefully review the level descriptions on the immersion program website. If further assessment is needed, follow the instructions on how to take a placement exam for Chinese or contact the summer office at shanghai.summer@nyu.edu for additional guidance.
Students currently enrolled in an accredited university and fully committed to advancing their Chinese language skills to the next level are encouraged to apply as visiting students. Unfortunately, high school students are not eligible at this time.
You can apply for the immersion program by following the designated application process. We require all students to apply by the listed deadline to ensure adequate time for visa processing, course enrollment, and preparation for your arrival to NYU Shanghai.
You are required to live in NYU Shanghai dormitory housing as a condition of the program. Housing is available only for the dates of the program and will cost an estimated RMB 16,920 (around US $2,450). More information about the exact housing costs and arrangements will be emailed to you in April.
All participants signed a language pledge to speak only Chinese throughout the nine-week program. A typical week is structured as follows:
1. Morning Classes
Held Monday through Friday, morning classes consist of four 50-minute sessions. The first two sessions 大班课, capped at 10 students, focus on key concepts, grammar, and vocabulary. They are followed by two 50-minute 小班课,dedicated to drills and group discussion, normally capped at 5 students.
2. Afternoon Individual Classes
Individual sessions are held from 1:30 to 3:30 PM. Each student receives at least one 30-minute one-on-one class (单班课) between Tuesday and Thursday.
3. China Studies Lectures and Cultural Activities
Monday afternoons are reserved for China Studies lectures, tea-time discussions with speakers, and cultural activities led by professionals. In addition, student-initiated, faculty-supported interest groups and language-practice activities take place throughout the week after individual classes.
4. Faculty-Supported Evening Study Sessions (晚自习)
In addition to daytime office hours, structured evening study support is provided in a dedicated study space located in the student residence halls. Faculty-led study sessions and office hours run Sunday through Thursday, 7:00–9:00 PM.
5. Chinese Language Table (中文桌子)
Throughout the week, students across all levels meet in the campus dining hall for lunch to practice speaking Chinese. Once a week, they venture off-campus to explore local cuisines and practice language skills with instructors and peers. Our “Meet the Expert Luncheon Series” is also held during on-campus lunches, offering conversations with scholars, artists, and professionals from various fields.
6. Friday Afternoon / Saturday Themed Excursions
These excursions are designed to connect classroom learning with real-world contexts, allowing students to actively use their language skills in the community.
7. Assignments and Assessments
Daily assignments and quizzes help students stay on track. Weekly written and oral evaluations are conducted to monitor progress, each accompanied by personalized feedback from instructors.
In addition, students participate in a mid-term Intersession Study Trip outside Shanghai, during which they conduct social research projects in Chinese at their respective proficiency levels. For example, in Week 7 of the 2025 program, students presented their findings through: 1) a poster session with invited local community residents and migrant youth (in collaboration with NYU Shanghai’s Office for Community-Engaged Learning, CEL), and 2) The Eastern China Inter-University Chinese Speech Contest hosted by NYU Shanghai on Friday, July 18.