<p>I want to study Chinese as my foreign language at Yale. However, I’m already fluent verbally (at a every day conversation level).</p>
<p>I can only read and write a few characters, however.</p>
<p>How would this be viewed? Would professors or other students mind?</p>
<p>Sounds similar to what many Spanish speaking kids do in HS as they understand verbally but not the grammar. I don’t see a problem, and I don’t imagine you’re the first to want to do this, but it might be good to ask someone in the department about it. Maybe there’s a special class/section for Chinese speakers??</p>
<p>They actually have a specific class for people in this position, called “Advanced Learners” which is essentially designed for ABC (American born Chinese) who are roughly fluent in spoken chinese but cannot write it. They have all the levels, and I am pretty sure you can fulfill your language requirement with it.</p>
<p>Here is the description:</p>
<p>“First level of the advanced learner sequence, intended for students with some aural proficiency but limited ability in reading and writing Chinese. Training in listening and speaking, with emphasis on reading and writing. Placement confirmed by placement test and by instructor.”</p>
<p>If you decided for some reason to take the normal begineer chinese, and you are pretty much fluent in chinese, people might give you dirty looks :P.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice and info. Pretty interesting how they have a Chinese course designed specifically for ABC’s.</p>