Asian Initiatives

Community Classes

The Chinese Language and Culture Programing offers Chinese language and culture classes that are open to WMU faculty, staff, students and the community.

2024 Fall Classes

CHINESE LANGUAGE (Online)

Classes with low enrollment may be canceled
Class	Day	Starting Date	Sessions	Time (Eastern Time Zone)	Location
Chinese Language Basic I	Tue, Thu	September 10	12 weeks	5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.	Online
Chinese Language Basic II	Tue, Thu	September 10	12 weeks	6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Online
Chinese Language Intermediate I	Mon, Wed	September 9	12 weeks	5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.	Online
Chinese Language Intermediate II	Mon, Wed	September 9	12 weeks	4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	Online

CHINESE LANGUAGE (In-person)

Classes with low enrollment may be canceled
Class	Day	Starting Date	Sessions	Time	Location
Chinese Language Basic I	Mon, Wed	September 9	12 weeks	5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.	Sangren Hall, WMU
Chinese Language Basic II	Mon, Wed	September 9	12 weeks	6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	Sangren Hall, WMU

TAI CHI

Classes with low enrollment may be canceled
Class	Day	Starting Date	Sessions	Time	Location
Tai Chi Basic (WMU East Campus)	Wed	September 11	12 weeks	Noon to 1:00 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Tai Chi Basic (OLLI)¹	Mon	September 9	6 weeks/ 2 Sessions	2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Tai Chi Intermediate	Thu	September 12	12 weeks	5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Tai Chi Sword²	Thu	September 12	12 weeks	4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Tai Chi Fan I³	Mon	September 9	12 weeks	5:10 p.m. to 6:10 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Tai Chi Fan II⁴	Mon	September 9	12 weeks	4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	CHHS 4010, WMU East Campus
Seated Tai Chi⁵	Thu	September 5	8 weeks/ 2 Sessions	10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.	Portage Zhang Senior Center

CHINESE ART

Classes with low enrollment may be canceled
Class	Day	Starting Date	Sessions	Time	Location
Chinese Painting⁶	Fri	September 13	12 weeks	5:30 to 7:00 p.m.	4140 Sangren Hall, WMU

CHINESE TEA CEREMONY

Classes with low enrollment may be canceled
Class	Day	Starting Date	Sessions	Time	Location
Chinese Tea Ceremony I⁷	Tue	September 10	12 weeks	Noon to 1 p.m.	4140 Sangren Hall, WMU
Chinese Tea Ceremony II⁸	Wed	September 11	6 weeks	5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.	4140 Sangren Hall, WMU

To help students choose a language class that suits their level, a placement test may be held at the beginning of the session.

¹ Session 1: 9/9 - 10/14, Session 2: 10/21 - 11/25. Please visit OLLI website wmich.edu/olli to learn more and register.

² Only open to students who have taken this class in Spring and Summer 2024.

³ In addition to the regular tuition, $5 material fee is required for the Tai Chi Fan class. Fan will be provided, but needs to be returned upon the completion of the session.

⁴ Prerequisite is to have completed Tai Chi Fan I. In addition to the regular tuition, $5 material fee is required for the Tai Chi Fan class. Fan will be provided, but needs to be returned upon the completion of the session.

⁵ Please register the Seated Tai Chi class at Portage Zhang Senior Center.

⁶In addition to the regular tuition, $25 material fee is required for the Chinese Ink Painting class.

⁷ In addition to the regular tuition, $25 material fee is required for the Chinese Tea Ceremony class.

⁸Prerequisite is to have completed Chinese Tea Ceremony I. In addition to the regular tuition, $25 material fee is required for the Chinese Tea Ceremony class.

Cost

Fall and Spring Classes

Each course costs $120. In addition to regular tuition, some courses may require a material fee.

Summer Classes

Each course costs $60. In addition to regular tuition, some courses may require a material fee.

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 "CLCP01". 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 ONLINE
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 Initiatives
Ellsworth 2425E
Haenicke Institute for Global Education
1903 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.

Refund Policy

Application Deadline: Refund applications will be accepted until 09.21.2024. Any requests submitted after this date will not be considered.
Processing Timeline: All refund requests will be processed starting from 09.23.2024.

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

To help students choose a language class that suits their level, a placement test may be held at the beginning of the session.

Level	Prerequisite	Description
Chinese Language Basic 1	None	For those interested and have very little to no Chinese language proficiency.
Chinese Language Basic 2	Chinese Language Basic 1 or at least 30 hours of studying Chinese language	For those who already have a basic foundational and functional understanding of the language.
Chinese Language Basic 3	Chinese Language Basic 2 or at least 50 hours of studying Chinese language
Chinese Language Intermediate 1	Chinese Language Basic 3 or at least 60 hours of studying Chinese language	For those who have an advanced foundational and functional understanding of the language.
Chinese Language Intermediate 2	Chinese Language Intermediate 1 or at least 80 hours of studying Chinese language
Advanced Chinese Language	Chinese Language Intermediate 2 or at least 90 hours of studying Chinese language

Tai chi

Why Do We Practice Tai Chi?
Tai Chi Class Levels

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	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 Intermediate	Has taken Tai Chi basic, 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 Seminar	Has completed Tai Chi Intermediate and obtained the instructor's reference.	This class aims to fine tune Tai Chi skills. By exploring the details and applications of CMC37, practicing the Eight Techniques, and engaging in partner exercises like pushing hands, participants will not only find enjoyment but also gain a deeper understanding of Tai Chi. The class also emphasizes the practice of internal principles to achieve the integration of mind, intent and energy.
Tai Chi Fan	Has taken Tai Chi basic, or has learned basic Tai Chi within 2 years prior to this class.	The class will be engaging in the practice of the Chen Style 24 Form Tai Chi Fan. Tai Chi Fan presents a captivating dimension of Tai Chi that seamlessly blends martial arts techniques with the elegant motions of the fan. It offers an unique way to simultaneously train the body and nurture the mind.
Tai Chi Sword	Has 2 years of recent experience practicing Tai Chi and pass the instructor's evaluation	The class will be engaging in the practice of the Chen Style Tai Chi Sword.
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.

Chinese Tea Ceremony

Why Do We Learn Chinese Tea Ceremony?
What can we learn from this Class?

Why Do We Learn Chinese Tea Ceremony?

Tea has been playing a historical and significant role in Chinese culture as a traditional beverage, a carrier of Chinese Tea Culture. The spirit of the tea ceremony is the core of the tea culture. The connotation of the spirit of tea ceremony is harmony, peace, happiness, and truthfulness, of which happiness is the most crucial point. In addition to being a popular beverage, it is used as an integral ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Chinese cuisine.

What can we learn from this Class?

This course provides an authentic experience of getting close contact with Chinese tea culture. By completing 12 weeks hands-on sessions with the instructor who is a senior tea master and a professional TCM manager, students will be able to learn about Chinese tea culture in-depth. Including recognizing, tasting, brewing, holding a Chinese tea ceremony by themselves, as well as get to know more about the Chinese wisdom of health management.

Chinese Art

Chinese Painting and Chinese Calligraphy was regarded as one of the fundamental skills of scholars in ancient China and East Asia for thousands of years, it is also a creative way of free expression and relaxation. These course guide students into meditation over painting paper, exploring the relationship between art, behavior, thoughts, aesthetic pursuing, and finding the connection and relationship between human beings, nature, and the universe. These courses are best for but not limited to those who have gained some fundamental training on painting.

Chinese Culture

This course introduces contemporary Chinese culture, including food, etiquette, customs, lifestyle, literature and film. It will add to or refresh your knowledge about today’s China and Chinese people in their daily life.