English as a Second Language professor Charles Lee has a philosophy. He said that in order to learn a language properly, one must use it as much as possible in real life application. According to Lee, the China Abroad program is an extremely remarkable opportunity for students with a 2.8 GPA or higher and at least 12 credits.
The program is a five-week trip, three of which are spent in Beijing and two of which are spent in Shanghai. Classes are on a morning block schedule. This gives students free afternoons and evenings to do homework and “mingle” with other Chinese students and people.
Four classes will be offered: English Writing 1A, 1B and 1C and Survival Mandarin. But if applicants have already taken all of them, Lee will find another subject for them to study.
The classes will not be taught using the typical lecture technique, but instead will be hands-on and interactive. Student panels and guest speakers will come into classrooms, making the learning experience an interesting and unique one.
Lee said, it is expected that most things in China will be foreign to De Anza students. It only makes sense for there to be time set aside for site-seeing, which is also an important learning tool.
In Beijing, Lee will take his students to see the historical sites of the Forbidden City, the Xian soldiers, and Tiananmen Square.