Application deadline
1 April 2026
College Preparation credit-course application deadline for summer 2026.
Online Program
Chinese I Credit Course
Chinese I introduces Mandarin pronunciation, conversation, grammar and characters through college-level language study and exploration of Chinese culture.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Chinese I Credit Course at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Rising juniors/seniors; GPA 3.0+
Age range / Year group
Ages 16-18
Location / Region
Online
Cost
$5,781
Duration
3 weeks
Format
Online
Language: English instruction; Chinese interaction
Sessions / cadence: Mon-Fri, 3 hours/day; 15 hours/week
Assessment style: Assignments, quizzes, dictations and final exam
Main output: Short Chinese passages
College credit: 1 Northwestern credit unit
Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026
Instructor: Yangtian Luo
Chinese I Credit Course summary
Chinese I combines foundational Mandarin study with the expectations of an undergraduate language class. Students build pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and Chinese character skills.
The experience centers on speaking, listening and writing practice, supported by assignments, dictations, quizzes and a final exam.
It suits students who want structured language learning and are comfortable participating actively rather than studying entirely at their own pace.
What is Chinese I Credit Course?
Chinese I Credit Course is Northwestern University's introductory CHINESE 111-1 course within its College Preparation credit offering. It introduces Mandarin grammar, pinyin, vocabulary, usage and the Chinese writing system. Cultural knowledge is integrated with basic communication skills.
Students practice pronunciation, conversations, listening comprehension and sentence structures in scheduled online classes. English mainly supports explanations of sentence patterns, while classroom interaction takes place in Chinese. The course aims to establish a foundation for further Chinese study or a language requirement.
Why Succeed highlights Chinese I Credit Course
Speaking, listening, character writing and cultural study make this a broad introduction to Mandarin.
The expected ACTFL Novice-High outcome gives students a concrete proficiency goal.
Assignments, dictations and oral quizzes require students to use the language repeatedly.
Studying in an undergraduate credit course offers a practical test of college-level academic expectations.
Who is Chinese I Credit Course for?
Best for
Students seeking a serious first introduction to Mandarin who enjoy interactive practice and want to test college-level study.
Not ideal if
You need a self-paced course or expect to miss scheduled classes, since participation and attendance are assessed.
Is Chinese I Credit Course worth it?
This course is worth considering when your main goal is sustained Mandarin practice with college-level accountability. Its mix of conversation, listening, character work and assessment offers more structure than casual independent study.
The tuition is a substantial investment, and the intensive timetable requires room for regular attendance and assignments. The expected proficiency outcome depends on satisfactory completion, and participation alone does not guarantee admission to Northwestern.
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Cost and what is included
$5,781; includes One online college-credit class., One Northwestern credit unit, unless otherwise noted..
Dates and time commitment
3 weeks; Mon-Fri, 3 hours/day; 15 hours/week.
Provider details
Review the Northwestern College Prep provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
What the student gains
Potential output: Students write short Chinese passages about everyday topics such as hobbies, shopping and food preferences.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.
Online support and safeguarding
Tuition scholarships support domestic US rising seniors who demonstrate financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement. Applicants must complete both the scholarship application and the program application, including transcripts.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Chinese I Credit Course need?
Effort level
High for an introductory language course.
Best started
Begin application preparation four to six weeks before the next published deadline to arrange official transcripts and draft the personal statement.
Main challenge
Maintaining consistent speaking, listening and character practice across an intensive schedule.
Typical preparation
Ask your school how to send official transcripts and allow time for any required English proficiency testing.
Draft answers to both personal-statement questions within approximately 500 words total.
Review your summer commitments so scheduled classes do not conflict with other activities.
Arrange the required Modern Chinese 1A textbook and workbook before classes begin.
Useful if
You want to test your readiness for college-level language study.
What do students do on Chinese I Credit Course?
You learn Mandarin through repeated classroom practice in pronunciation, conversation, listening and sentence construction. Written work and assessments reinforce Chinese characters, everyday communication and cultural knowledge.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Build a foundation in pronunciation, pinyin, grammar and vocabulary.
- 2
Practice everyday conversations and listening comprehension with the instructor and classmates.
- 3
Develop Chinese character handwriting and typing skills.
- 4
Write short passages about everyday topics and demonstrate cultural knowledge.
- 5
Complete assignments, dictations, oral and written quizzes, and a final exam.
Chinese I Credit Course dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
22 June-12 July 2026
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 1 April 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-12 July 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Rising high school juniors and seniors.
Completed sophomore or junior year of high school.
Cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
Designed for true beginners with no previous Chinese background.
English proficiency testing required when primary language or schooling isn't English.
Domestic and international students may apply.
How much does Chinese I Credit Course cost?
Course tuition
$5,781 — For one online credit class.
Funding or discounts
- Application fee: $60 — Non-refundable.
- Program deposit: $1,000 — Non-refundable; credited toward the total and due three weeks after acceptance.
- Required books: $99.98 — Textbook $64.99 plus workbook $34.99.
- Tuition scholarship: Need-based support — For domestic US rising seniors with financial need and strong achievement.
- Application fee waiver: Former CPP students — Returning participants can request an application fee waiver.
What's included
One online college-credit class., One Northwestern credit unit, unless otherwise noted.
How to apply to Chinese I Credit Course
- 1
Review the College Credit admission requirements and confirm your school stage and GPA.
- 2
Write approximately 500 words answering both questions about your academic experience and program interests.
- 3
Prepare an extracurricular activity list with dates, descriptions and roles.
- 4
Arrange official transcripts in English with three semesters of grades for rising juniors or five for rising seniors.
- 5
Provide a TOEFL, IELTS or DET score if your primary language or schooling is not English.
- 6
Submit the complete application with the $60 non-refundable fee and monitor the application portal for missing materials.
- 7
After acceptance, submit the required deposit; program admission does not guarantee course enrollment.
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Learning format
The online section meets Monday-Friday from 5:30-8:30 pm across three weeks, giving a published pattern of 15 scheduled class hours per week. Classes emphasize active pronunciation, conversation and listening practice, with written assignments and quizzes alongside classroom participation.
Plan other summer commitments around attendance; even one missed class can affect the final grade.
Mentorship and feedback
Yangtian Luo is the listed instructor for the section.
Instructor and student interaction takes place in Chinese.
Student-oriented practice covers pronunciation, conversation, listening and sentence structures.
Northwestern-affiliated instructors expect college-level commitment and involvement.
Time-zone considerations
- Classes follow a Monday-Friday schedule.
- The published class time is 5:30-8:30 pm.
- Each scheduled class lasts three hours.
- Regular attendance matters because participation contributes to assessment.
Assessment style
Assessment combines classroom engagement, written work, dictations, oral and written quizzes, and a final exam.
- Attendance and participation.
- Written assignments.
- Dictations.
- Oral and written quizzes.
- Final exam.
Portfolio and outputs
Main deliverable / output
Students write short Chinese passages about everyday topics such as hobbies, shopping and food preferences.
Written assignments demonstrating developing Chinese skills.
Chinese characters produced through handwriting and typing.
One Northwestern credit unit, unless otherwise noted.
Chinese I Credit Course FAQs
No. Chinese 111-1 is designed for true beginners with no previous Chinese background. The preceding-course or placement-test requirement does not apply to this introductory course.
You will study Mandarin pronunciation, pinyin, grammar, vocabulary, characters and culture. Practice includes everyday conversations, listening, handwriting, typing and short passages.
Credit courses normally carry one Northwestern credit unit unless otherwise noted. One unit is typically equivalent to four quarter hours or two and two-thirds semester credit hours.
Assessment includes attendance and participation, written assignments, dictations, oral quizzes, written quizzes and a final exam.
English is mainly used to explain sentence structures and patterns. Interaction with the instructor and other students is in Chinese.
The second-edition Modern Chinese 1A Simplified Characters textbook and workbook from Better Chinese are required. Their listed prices are $64.99 and $34.99 respectively.
Tuition scholarships support domestic US rising seniors who demonstrate financial need and strong academic and extracurricular achievement. Applicants must complete both the scholarship application and the program application, including transcripts.
No. Participation can contribute to an application profile, but it alone does not guarantee acceptance to Northwestern University.
Content reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources and verification
Source types reviewed
- Summer 2026 dates deadlines.xlsx
- International Students, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Pre-College Summer Programs for Credit: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Admission, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Tuition and Fees, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- FAQs, Northwestern College Preparation Program: School of Professional Studies | Northwestern University
- Chinese I: Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Official course page checked
Course identity confirmed
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Application deadline checked
Class schedule checked
Tuition and funding reviewed
Credit terms reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Chinese I Credit Course
by Northwestern College Prep
Upcoming
May qualify for the £300 Succeed Programme Award.
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