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Sunrise Language Program at Shaanxi Teacher’s University
(Shaanxi Normal University)
Xi’an, China
May 2006
Needing Putonghua (Mandarin Chinese) to live and work in China?
Sunrise Foundation has trained over 400 foreign professionals in Mandarin Chinese since 1996. Shaanxi Teacher’s University (ShiDa) is a full-time, non-credit language training designed for and by Western Professionals wishing to use their career skills in China.
What do we offer in these two programs?
- A 2-year curriculum emphasizing speaking-listening skills
- One-on-one classes and group classes
- Integrated learning, graduated pace, qualified local teachers
Who can enroll?
- Students may enter only at the invitation of the director, Dr. Howard N. Kenyon
- The program is open to students who are age 20 and older, who are coming to work in China, and who can commit to at least two years of full-time study.
- The program is not open to Japanese or Korean students who read characters – ShiDa has a separate program for such students.
Where are the programs located located?
- ShiDa is on Chang’An Road just north of the TV Tower.
Who sponsors these programs?
- Sunrise Foundation
- The International Center for Chinese Studies, Shaanxi Normal University
- Shaanxi Provincial Education Bureau
- Shaanxi Education Association for International Exchanges
- The ShiDa program is also sponsored by Shaanxi Normal University, Foreign Affairs Office (FAO)
Who runs the program?
- Program Director: Dr. Howard N. Kenyon, Sunrise Foundation
- Program Curriculum Advisor: Mr. Martin Symonds, Curriculum Editor
- The ShiDa program is co-run by the Chinese Studies Department.
- Kara Brewster is assisting at present as the class coordinator.
When can new students enroll in these program?
- To enroll for the fall semester beginning the last of August, notify us by May 31
- To enroll for the spring semester at ShiDa beginning late February, notify us by November 30
How do new students register?
- Send an e-mail to as follows:
• Contact Kara Brewster at language@friendsofchina.org
- State in the e-mail
1) your name in full (as on your passport)
2) your passport number
3) your national citizenship
4) your age
5) your marital status (single/married)
6) whether you have children
7) whether you have studied Chinese before and how much
8) whether you have lived in China before and how long
9) when you wish to start class (February or August)
10) whether you are sponsored by any particular agency or company
11) How you learned about our program
What does tuition cost?
- Tuition/registration for group classes US$1,480 / year + $100 registration fee
- One-time Sunrise Administrative fee US$100
Expenses for processing visas are additional.
The school also provides special tuition rates for one-on-one classes.
When may a student start?
ShiDa
- In that the school runs on a semester program, students generally start with the beginning of a semester (end of February or end of August)
What about holidays?
ShiDa
- May 1 (Labor Day) – usually 3-7 days
- October 1 (National Day) – usually 3-7 days
- Winter Holiday (otherwise known as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year) – 4 weeks or so in late January/early February
- In addition students may take off for Christmas Day
When do classes meet?
- Most classes meet in the mornings 9:00 am to noon, and some meet in the afternoons 2:30-5:30 pm.
What is a full-time student?
The ShiDa program offers group classes for 10-15 hours a week, depending on the level (beginner 15; higher 10); one-on-one classes are offered for 8-15 hours a week
Are there part-time students?
- Yes, the program offers space for part-time students, but without visas
- At ShiDa, part-time study is available for one-on-one classes and sometimes for group classes at upper levels
What is the curriculum?
- Chinese Made Easier (Volumes 1-5)
- Chinese Traditions and Festivals
- Speaking Chinese About China (Volume 1)
- Spotlight on China (Volumes 1-2)
- Other specialized learning at the request of the student and the approval of the program’s administration
What about housing?
- Sunrise Foundation does not arrange housing for students.
- ShiDa has a hotel for its own foreign students to live in. Occasionally, the university’s FAO also has on-campus apartments available.
- Off-campus housing is now fairly abundant in the vicinity of the two campuses. Unfurnished rental apartments of about 100 square meters generally run about RMB 1,200 (US$150) per month. There is now a considerable range of price and size options. Furnished or partially furnished apartments can also be found.
- All off-campus housing arrangements must have prior approval of the Public Security Bureau (PSB).
What about visas?
- Visas are issued for students paying full-time tuition.
- ShiDa does not provide a visa invitation prior to your arrival. Language students arrive on basic tourist visas.
- Once you arrive in Xi’an, the Foreign Affairs Office will help you process for resident student status within 30 days of arrival. The FAO will help with processing medical exams, resident card status, and student cards.
- According to a new ruling, the Public Security Bureau (PSB) will not process resident cards for spouses not also enrolled or for dependent children. The PSB will renew visas for up to 6 months at a time for dependents.
What about children’s schooling?
Sunrise Foundation also sponsors the Xi’an International School (for children of Foreign Experts), located only 20 minutes walk from the main gate of the ShiDa campus (or 5 minutes by taxi) For more information, e-mail the school at office@XianInternationalSchool.com.
How do you find out more information?
Once you have been accepted into one of the programs, we will direct you to the offices of the individual schools for more information.
Dr. Howard N. Kenyon Director@SunriseLanguageProgram.com
Kara Brewster languageconsultant@psmail.net
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