About

The Chinese Language and Culture Academy invites motivated high school students to experience the excitement of learning Mandarin Chinese at the University of Pennsylvania. This three-week intensive summer program combines daily language instruction with hands-on cultural exploration, giving students an immersive introduction to both modern Chinese and the richness of Chinese civilization. Through small-group classes, interactive workshops, and faculty-led discussions, students build real-world communication skills while gaining insight into how language connects to culture, history, and contemporary life. The Academy welcomes students with little or no prior experience in Chinese as well as those at the novice-high or early intermediate level. Penn’s Department of East Asian Languages and Civilizations hosts one of the most comprehensive Chinese language programs in North America. Students leave the program with tangible language skills, greater cross-cultural understanding, and a glimpse of academic life at an Ivy League university. Each week includes one field trip that extends classroom learning into the community. Possible experiences include exploring Chinese art and artifacts, engaging with local cultural communities, and participating in interactive language-practice activities in authentic settings. By the end of the program, students will be able to: Introduce themselves and communicate about family, school life, and daily routines in Mandarin Chinese; Use Mandarin in practical situations such as ordering food or shopping; Recognize and write basic Chinese characters; Demonstrate understanding of major cultural themes including festivals, arts, and youth culture. UPenn Academies are led by University of Pennsylvania faculty and long-standing professionals in their field of study with support from graduate and undergraduate teaching assistants. Upon successful completion of the program, students are awarded a Certificate of Completion and may request letters of recommendation from their Penn instructors.