Guangxi Normal University (GXNU) is located in Guilin, a beautiful city rich in natural wonders and historical relics, well-known for its unique, unsurpassable landscape of hills and rivers. Established in October 1932, and following many years of creative endeavors, the school has become a key university at the provincial level that offers many basic and applied disciplines of liberal arts and natural sciences, along with a great variety of other quality-oriented educational programs.

The university is divided into two campuses, Wang Cheng campus in the center of the city, at the Ming Dynasty site of Prince Jingjiang's Mansion, and Yu Cai campus in the Qixing Hi-Tech Development Zone. Currently, the university consists of 14 colleges, six teaching departments, five instructional centers, an educational technology center, 20 research institutes, two affiliated high schools, and a kindergarten.

Guangxi Normal University combines academic excellence with a welcoming atmosphere. The school's strong commitment to teaching and learning methods encourages students to develop independence and self-direction, which leads them to success in both their studies and future careers.

The Department of Chinese Language and Literature at Guangxi Normal University is designated by the Ministry of Education as a national base for liberal arts education and research. The College of International Culture and Education of Guangxi Normal University provides Chinese language and culture for a period of one semester (approximately half a year) or longer for foreigners, foreign citizens of Chinese origin whose native tongue is not Chinese, and overseas Chinese. The College has been teaching Chinese as a second language to international students for as long as 17 years. It is also designated as an HSK (Chinese Proficiency Test) center, providing an HSK test twice a year.

The college has basic, intermediate and advanced classes, with each class admitting a maximum of 20 students per class. 550 students have come from abroad to study Chinese in Guilin this year, a figure that will rise to 650 next year. The majority of students come from Southeast Asia, with the rest coming from North American and European countries. Students are placed in classes according to their performance in a placement test, but can try out a class first before being assigned to that level for the duration of their study period.

The teaching of Chinese as a second language includes such courses as Basic Chinese, Practical Chinese, and Works from Chinese Literature. There are long-term programs (One semester - six months - or longer) and short-term programs (July August during the summer break, and January February during the winter break). Courses offered are determined on the basis of the level of and demand from the students.

Short-term programs are flexible in terms of class times, time span, level, and contents, depending on students' needs. Two- to six-week programs are available, which may provide classes in Chinese speaking, listening, reading, writing, and Chinese culture. For more information, please contact China Travel.

For the long-term program, the academic year is divided into two semesters, 18 weeks each semester, with 20 class hours each week. The required courses are usually in the morning and the elective courses in the afternoon from Monday through Friday. A certificate of study will be issued to those who attend classes as required and pass the relevant exams.

By the end of the any of the Chinese language program, learners of elementary level, intermediate level and advanced level are expected to learn 50-100 characters by heart each week and, respective of course level, be able to communicate in Chinese with simple and brief, fairly fluent, and sophisticated Chinese expressions accordingly, understand simple, special, and standard basic daily conversations in Chinese accordingly, grasp the gist of basic Chinese character structural formation and stroke orders, grasp the gist of basic Chinese pronunciation and grammar, sound good when speaking and use grammar in an appropriate manner.

Other optional elective classes in Chinese language, history, and culture are also offered. Students of any level can take such elective courses as Bettering Pronunciation in Chinese, Reading and Writing Chinese Characters, Chinese Calligraphy with Pen, Ancient Chinese Language, A Brief History of China, Chinese Traditional Music, Chinese Opera for Appreciation, Taiji, Chinese Wushu, Chinese Painting, and Preparations for HSK Test.

Sometimes students are taken on field trips where participants can gain a brief understanding of Chinese history and civilization; have a general impression of Chinese society and experience the Chinese way of life; learn basic theories and skills of Chinese painting and calligraphy; learn about Chinese folk art and folklore; have a general knowledge of Chinese culture and the cultures of ethnic minorities in Guangxi, and Guilin's historical relics and scenic attractions.

Guangxi Normal University's Faculty of Education Science serves as a national base for training top-class teachers for Chinese elementary and secondary schools. The university has attached great importance to the development of its teaching staff, and especially to the training of professional leaders and specialized personnel. The teaching staff has now reached a total of 876, of whom 109 are professors, 299 associate professors, and 84 holders of a doctoral degree.

The university has about fifty specialized teachers of Chinese. All full-time teaching staff hold a masters degree in the field and a certificate in teaching Chinese as second language. Staff are well-qualified and experienced teachers of Chinese as a second language, who have a wide range of knowledge in the discipline and employ a variety of teaching methods. The school is equipped with perfect language teaching facilities, such as large, medium-sized and small classrooms, multi-functional classrooms, a language laboratory, reading room, and multi-media facilities.

Library

International students can apply for a library card with their student card and make good use of the books and facilities in the campus library, which has collections in Chinese and foreign languages. The library is open from 8 am 10 pm during term time, and 8 am 5 pm during vacations.

Recreation Facilities

Guilin Normal University has a sports academy and provides ample recreational sports facilities for students. The swimming pool costs just RMB 2 a time, tennis courts are also cheap, and basketball and football can be played for free. In addition to Chinese language courses, elective courses such as tai chi and calligraphy are included in the curriculum each semester. Each elective course is usually scheduled to be taken once a week, voluntarily and reasonably priced. Certain other elective courses, including Business Chinese Conversation, are usually offered on Friday mornings.

 Laundry

The international students' dormitory buildings are all equipped with low-cost laundries. Dry cleaning is also available on and off campus.

Money & Banking

There is a branch of the Bank of China, with an ATM, five minutes' walk from the campus.

Medical Care

For common complaints, international students can see a doctor at the university hospital or other hospitals in the city at their own expenses. The Number Five People's Hospital is only a ten- to 15-minute walk away, is open 24 hours, has English-speaking staff and a well-stocked pharmacy providing western medication and TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) ingredients.

Food & Groceries

There are several dining halls or restaurants on the campus supplying three meals a day. The International Students House is equipped with public kitchens open to all international students according to the relevant regulations. There is an international students' restaurant on campus, although students can also eat at the general canteen. Electronic dining cards are available at the canteen office by showing a student ID. Although the campus does not have western restaurants, nearby there are many restaurants catering to all tastes at low costs.

Postal Services

A post office is located on campus, from which students can send and receive mail and packages from all over the world, buy stamps, envelopes, and use the post boxes.

The university's International Service Center prepares rooms of various standards to accommodate around 1,000 people with its high-quality services. Guangxi Normal University provides living accommodation for international students in rooms with air-conditioning, internet, and a shared kitchen on every floor which around 20 people can use at a time. Students have to provide their own kitchen equipment. Each dormitory building has its own gym, laundry facilities, and 24-hour security. International students' rooms are equipped with telephone, which can be used with a 201 card or by direct dialing. Telephone cards are available inside the building for the convenience of making a long-distance call.

Guangxi Normal University is in the east of Guilin city.

Distance from the airport:A taxi ride from the airport takes 40 minutes.

Distance from the train station: A taxi ride from the nearby train station takes about ten minutes.