The Chinese Language and Culture Programing offers Chinese language and culture classes that are open to WMU faculty, staff, students and the community.
2023 Summer Classes
Class | Day | Starting Date | Sessions | Time (Eastern Time Zone) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Language Basic I | Tue & Thu | May 9 | 6 weeks | 6:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. | Online |
| Chinese Language Basic II | Tue & Thu | May 9 | 6 weeks | 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. | Online |
| Chinese Language Intermediate | Tue | May 9 | 6 weeks | 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Online |
| Tai Chi Basic (WMU Main Campus) | Wed | May 10 | 6 weeks | Noon to 1 p.m. | The Global Lounge, Bernhard Center |
| Tai Chi Basic (OLLI)* | Thu | May 11 | 6 weeks | 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. | CHHS 1021 |
| Tai Chi Intermediate I | Thu | May 11 | 6 weeks | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | The Global Lounge, Bernhard Center |
| Tai Chi Intermediate II | Thu | May 11 | 6 weeks | 4:00 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. | The Global Lounge, Bernhard Center |
| Tai Chi Sword** | Mon | May 8 | 6 weeks | 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | The Global Lounge, Bernhard Center |
To help students choose a language class that suits their level, a placement test may be held at the beginning of the session.
* Please visit OLLI website wmich.edu/olli to learn more and register.
** Tai Chi Sword class is full due to classroom space limitation.
Chinese Language Classes
Why Study Mandarin Chinese?
Mandarin Chinese is the longest-living written and spoken language in the history of the world. Used by 1.4 billion people, it is also the most widely spoken language. In today's world of increased global interconnectivity, Mandarin is quickly becoming a major language for business and educational development. Chinese language classes offered by the Chinese Language and Culture Programing at WMU provide the Greater Kalamazoo community with an opportunity to study the language in a fun, casual environment to adult learners for all ages (adults 18 years of age or older).
Chinese Language Class Levels
| Level | Prerequisite | Description |
| Basic Chinese Language 1 | None | For those interested and have very little to no Chinese language proficiency. |
| Basic Chinese Language 2 | Basic Chinese Language 1 or at least 30 hours studying Chinese language | For those who already have a basic foundational and functional understanding of the language. |
| Intermediate 1 | Basic Chinese Language 2 or at least 60 hours of studying Chinese | |
| Intermediate 2 | Intermediate 1 or at least 80 hours of studying Chinese | For those who have an advanced foundational and functional understanding of the language. |
| Advanced | Intermediate 2 or at least 90 hours studying Chinese |
Tai chi CLASSES
Why Do We Practice Tai Chi?
Taichi is one of the Chinese Traditional martial arts, which was designed as a unique self-defense technique later evolved into a self-efficacy health exercise. Characterized as flowing, graceful and being well balanced, Tai Chi's movements strengthen the body as well as the mind from within, promote a complete body-mind harmony. Through practicing Tai Chi, the balance of Yin and Yang, the essentials of the nature and relaxation, will be embedded into the practitioner. Unrestrained by age, gender, and health status, Tai Chi can serve as an ideal physical exercise to many.
Tai Chi classes are open to WMU faculty, staff, students and the community (18 and above).
Tai Chi Class Levels
| Level | Prerequisite | Description |
| Tai Chi Basic I | 18 and above, able to stand and follow the movements for 1 hour. | This course will introduce some essential Tai Chi principles such as controlled relaxation, mental quietness, breathing in depth, intent first etc. The class will practice 8 Trigrams and 5 steps. By the end of the session, students are expected to grasp these essentials and be able to practice basic Tai Chi movements independently. |
| Tai Chi Basic II | Has taken Tai Chi basic I, or has learned basic Tai Chi within 2 years prior to registering for this class. | The class will practice 24-Form Taichi and Qigong Baduanjin. By the end of the session, students are expected to grasp the techniques of breathing deep, even and soft, and be able to practice Tai Chi with physical and mental harmony . |
| Tai Chi Intermediate I | Has taken Tai Chi basic II, and received the instructor's reference prior to registering for this class. | This class will introduce and teach Cheng Man Ching 37 Form (CMC 37). CMC 37 was developed by Professor Cheng Man Ching. Regarded as the “Master of Five Excellences”, Cheng excelled in Poetry, calligraphy, painting, medicine, and Tai Chi. Originated from Yang Cheng Pu style, CMC 37 incorporated Cheng’s personal understanding derived from years of practice. |
| Tai Chi Intermediate II | Has completed Tai Chi Intermediate I and received the instructor's reference. | This class will explore the details and applications of CMC 37. Techniques and skills in hand-pushing will be introduced and practiced. This class will elevate participants’ Tai Chi level and power, and deepen their understanding on Tai Chi's self-defense functions. |
| Seated Tai Chi | None | This course will introduce some essential Tai Chi principles such as controlled relaxation, mental quietness, breathing in depth, intent-first etc. The class will practice Qigong Baduanjin and 12-form Seated Tai Chi. By the end of the session, students are expected to grasp these essentials and be able to practice basic Tai Chi movements independently. |
Calligraphy Class
This calligraphy class is new to the Chinese Language and Culture Programing at WMU culture class lineup. This class has no language proficiency requirement. This class is open to WMU faculty, staff, students and the community to register (adults 18 years of age or older).
Why Learn Calligraphy?
- Calligraphy is one of China's greatest high art forms and it is a cornerstone of Chinese culture; the various styles of Chinese calligraphy have made an invaluable impression around the world.
- The goal of this class is to introduce this beautiful art form to the widest audience possible in the Greater Kalamazoo area
What will be Learned in this Class?
- Participants will receive an introduction to the history of Chinese Calligraphy, learn about the main schools of the art form, and how to paint Chinese calligraphy.
- This class will encourage people and organizations to incorporate Chinese Calligraphy in their lives and consciousness.
Ink Painting
The Chinese Language and Culture Programing at WMU is offering the community the opportunity to participate in a Chinese ink painting class. This class is open to all adults 16 and older and requires no prior instruction in this or any other martial art. There is not a language proficiency requirement for this class.
Why Learn Chinese Ink Painting?
- In a very long history, Chinese ink painting formed its own art culture that is completely different from western painting because of the different philosophy. It has become an important token of Chinese arts civilization and one of the most important way to express the painter’s feelings, aesthetics and ideal.
- American artist and educator Arthur Wesley Dow (1857–1922) wrote about Chinese ink wash painting: "The painter ...put upon the paper the fewest possible lines and tones; just enough to cause form, texture, and effect to be felt. Every brush-touch must be full-charged with meaning, and useless detail eliminated. Put together all the good points in such a method, and you have the qualities of the highest art."
What will be Learned in this Class?
- This course is for learning the fundamentals of Chinese ink painting, which involves drawing objects (plants and animals) with simple brush strokes in different tonality and shading achieved by varying the ink density on absorbent rice paper.
- Students will begin with learning the basic skills, the goal is to inspire you to achieve a completed ink painting (flower or animal) through the practice of painting different objects with the different technique. Students will learn to paint an orchid, bamboo, chick and Sparrow, Shrimp and crab. Anyone can learn to appreciate Chinese ink painting and get inspired in just a few weeks.
COST
Below is the class cost information and any related class materials fees for the current schedule of Community Classes.
Fall and Spring Classes | Sessions | Cost | Material Fee | Total* |
| Chinese Language | 12-Week Session | $120 | N/A | $120 |
| Tai Chi | 12-Week Session | $120 | N/A | $120 |
Summer Classes | Sessions | Cost | Material Fee | Total* |
| Chinese Language | 6-Week Session | $60 | N/A | $60 |
| Tai Chi | 6-Week Session | $60 | N/A | $60 |
Payment
- The cost for each class (and any applicable class materials fees) must be paid in full before or on the first day of class.
- Payments may be made by check payable to WMU or through credit card.
- The Chinese Language and Culture Programing at WMU offers tuition discounts to qualified participants.
Payment Method
Pay Online:WMU Online Pay: https://wmuhige.securepayments.cardpointe.com/pay?On the “Invoice Number” line, please write the class name and the participant’s name. You will receive a confirmation Email with a transaction ID, please fill in this number on the registration form.NOTE: No WMU staff can enter payment information into this site using a WMU computer. This violates PCI requirements and will raise a red flag in the system, as we are connected to the WMU network.Pay by Check:Make check payable to WMU and mail to the address below. Please fill in the check number on the registration form.Asian InitiativesEllsworth 2425EHaenicke Institute for Global Education1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49008-5245
*Discounts
- 50% tuition discount to WMU students and community senior citizens (55 and above)
- $25/course for WMU employees
- For courses requesting a "Material fee" apart from the tuition cost, all participants must pay this fee in full.
For example, if you are a WMU employee, and you want to take the Chinese Painting class that has a material fee of $30, the total amount you need to pay is $25 + $30 (material fee) = $55. If you are a WMU student or community senior citizen, and you want to take the Chinese Painting class, the total amount you need to pay is $60 (50% discount ) + $30 (Material fee) = $90.