Business Chinese 商务中文

BC Brochure Image (AO 20230330) removed UTAP and NSA

Confucius Institute, NTU (CI-NTU) is appointed by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to be an Approved Training Organization (ATO) for conducting Chinese Workplace Literacy (CWPL) courses, accredited under the Employability Skills (ES) WSQ Framework as one of the important skills necessary for a resilient workforce.

Business Chinese (BC) programme is designed for anyone who is interested in communicating effectively in Chinese at business or workplace settings, and effectively understand business information written in Chinese.

Course Highlights
  • Acquire the internationally recognised Business Chinese Test (BCT) certificate, awarded by the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (affiliated with the Chinese Ministry of Education).
  • Eligible trainees enjoy up to 70% subsidy, use of SkillsFuture Credits (SFC), Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) fund and Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP).
  • Varied training options available: Listening & Speaking, Reading & Writing, and Comprehensive.
  • Multi-levelled programme suitable for anyone from new to advanced learners.
  • Courseware features practical themes suitable for real-life applications.
  • Expand your network, connect with people from different backgrounds and professions.
  • Qualified trainers with practical teaching experience.
Course Objectives
  • Improve Chinese listening, speaking, reading and writing skills at the workplace, applicable across various industries.
  • Expand knowledge of business terms, phrases, and syntax; learn to use to them via exercises such as substitution drills and role-plays.
  • Enhance confidence in using Chinese in both formal and informal situations.
Course Structure

Applicants may choose between (I) Listening & Speaking, (II) Reading & Writing, or (III) Comprehensive courses. Each course comprises a total of 10 progressive levels consisting of Beginner, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Advanced levels.

Course Outline
(I)   Listening & Speaking:
  • Focused on conversational training; develop accuracy and fluency of verbal expression through discussions, role-play, drills, debates, etc.
  • Learn business terms through various business or workplace scenarios.
  • Beginner Levels:

    -   Chinese phonetics (Hanyu Pinyin), accurate pronunciation.

    -   Basic characters and common phrases, handle daily workplace scenarios, and hold simple conversations, for instance greetings, ask questions, self-introduction, habits, hobbies, etc.

  • Pre-Intermediate Levels:

    -   Removal of Chinese phonetics assistance in courseware, pre-requisite to possess a baseline level of reading skills.

    -   Common business expressions, hold general conversations at workplace and social settings, and expression personal opinion clearly.  

  • Intermediate & Advanced Levels:

    -   Business terms in various types of workplaces and use complex sentences in conversations.

    -   Engage in in-depth discussions on topics related to individual profession, clearly state reasons and point of view.

    -   Speak in formal occasions, enhancing the appropriateness, logic and coherence of expression.

 (II) Reading & Writing:
  • Master reading and writing skills necessary for the workplace.
  • Learn business terms using various written materials such as signs, reports, news, speeches, etc. 
  • Beginner Levels:

    -   Chinese phonetics (Hanyu Pinyin), accurately applying Pinyin in writing.

    -   Six Principles of Character Formation, strokes sequence, and Chinese characters copying exercises.

    -   Read basic characters and sentences, understand information in short write-ups.

    -   Master basic grammar and sentence structures, and composition of simple sentences. 

  • Pre-Intermediate Levels:

    -   Read daily life or common workplace expressions, and decipher the general idea of a message.

    -   Write short essays and basic formal letters, able to hold general communications in written format.  

  • Intermediate & Advanced Levels:

    -   Train on reading speed and quick deciphering of general ideas from complex reading materials.

    -   Enhance writing skills through various topics and practices.

    -   Write about formal and informal topics, genres include letters, notifications, news, reports, invitations, complaints, contracts, etc.

(III) Comprehensive:
  • An all-inclusive training for listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Medium of Instruction

Chinese / English (ratio subject to course level and needs of class)

Trainers

Our trainers are experienced, having undergone professional training and possess at least the Advanced Certificate in Learning and Performance (ACLP) or Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA) certification.

Pre-Entry Requirement
  • New learners may skip pre-course placement test and enrol directly for Listening & Speaking or Comprehensive (Beginner Level 1.1 + 1.2).
  • Those with valid BCT certificates (≤ 2years ago) may submit their BCT transcript via email for a level recommendation.
  • Applicants with prior knowledge of Chinese, are required to take a pre-course placement test before enrolment.
  • Placement test is on appointment basis, conducted remotely, and free of charge. Please book your slot early to avoid missing the enrolment deadline.
  • Email [email protected] to book an appointment for placement test.
Business Chinese Test (BCT)
  • SSG-funded trainees are required to take the BCT within the stipulated deadline after course completion. A non-refundable BCT Fee is applicable.
  • BCT Test fee is applicable. For more details, click here.

Certificate

  • Trainees will be awarded an E-Certificate of Completion from CI-NTU for fulfilling the following criteria:

     

    -   Achieved a minimum of 75% attendance;
    -   Participate in post-course surveys.

  • E-Certificate of Participation will be issued to those who fulfil 50 - 74% attendance and participated in post-course surveys.
Course Schedule

*The schedule is subject to change without prior notice. Interested applicants, please email or call to confirm the availability of intakes.

Course Fees
BC Price List_2023
  • A non-refundable registration fee of $64.80 (incl. GST) is applicable for first-time registration.
  • The fee stated above is inclusive of 8% GST.
  • GST will be revised to 9% effective 1 January 2024. All payments received / invoices issued on and after 1 January 2024 will be subjected to 9% GST.
  • Course material is complimentary.

 *   Terms & conditions apply. Refer to section on Fee Support below for details.

 


Customised Programme
  • This programme can be customised to individual or corporate needs.
  • Not eligible for government subsidies.
Bundled Courses
  • Beginner 1.1 and 1.2 is a bundled course by default – it is compulsory to commit to both levels for new learners starting from Beginner 1.1.
  • Note:

-   Bundled courses must be scheduled in consecutive intakes, within the same timeslot, and no skipping of intakes is allowed.
-   The deadlines in the withdrawal and refund policy follow the schedule of the first course in a set of bundled course.

Fee Support

Eligible trainees may benefit from one of the following Fee Subsidies, together with SkillsFuture Credits, PSEA fund and UTAP, in payment of course fees (other fees to be self-funded).

I) Fee Subsidy

(a) SkillFuture Singapore (SSG)
  • Enjoy a 50% subsidy of course fee.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 21 years and above.
  • (Company Sponsored) Trainees must be a full-time employees, throughout the whole course’s duration, and at the point of grant disbursement. Courses must be fully sponsored by employer.
  • Attempt a pre-course placement test conducted by CI-NTU prior to enrolment (exempted for Beginner Level 1.1 applicants).
  • Achieve a minimum of 75% attendance per level.
  • Complete the BCT within 2 months from the completion date of the course.
  • Participate in post-course surveys.

Note:
-  Proof of identity or relevant documents are required.
-  Trainees must inform CI-NTU if there is any change in nationality or if they leave the sponsoring company during the course.
-   A Penalty Fee, equivalent to the subsidy, will be imposed for failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

  • (b) Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy (MCES)
  • Enjoy a 70% subsidy of course fee.
  • Eligibility Criteria:
  • Applicable to Singapore Citizens aged 40 years and above.
  • (Company Sponsored) Trainees must be a full-time employees, throughout the whole course’s duration, and at the point of grant disbursement. Courses must be fully sponsored by employer.
  • Attempt a pre-course placement test conducted by CI-NTU prior to enrolment (exempted for Beginner Level 1.1 applicants) .
  • Achieve a minimum of 75% attendance per level.
  • Complete the BCT within 2 months from the completion date of course.
  • Participate in post-course surveys.
  • For career development and upskilling.

Note:
-   Proof of identity or relevant documents are required.
-   Trainees must inform CI-NTU if there is any change in nationality or if they leave the sponsoring company during the course.
-   A Penalty Fee, equivalent to the subsidy, will be imposed for failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

    (c) SkillsFuture Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)

    • SMEs enjoy SkillsFuture Funding of up to 70% of course fee when they sponsor their employees for this programme.
    • Absentee Payroll (AP) hourly rate standardised at $4.50/hr. Enterprise-level AP funding will be capped at $100,000/calendar year.

    Eligibility Criteria:

    • Applicable to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents.
    • Trainees are not a full-time national serviceman.
    • Trainees must be a full-time employees, throughout the whole course’s duration, and at the point of grant disbursement.
    • Courses have to be fully sponsored by employer
    • Attempt a pre-course placement test conducted by CI-NTU prior to enrolment (exempted for Beginner Level 1.1 applicants).
    • Achieve a minimum of 75% attendance per level.
    • Complete the BCT within 2 months from the completion date of course.
    • Participate in post-course surveys.

    Note:
    -   Proof of identity or relevant documents are required.
    -   Trainees must inform CI-NTU if there is any change in nationality or if they leave the sponsoring company during the course.
    -   A Penalty Fee, equivalent to the subsidy, will be imposed for failure to meet the eligibility criteria.

      For more information on ETSS, please visit SkillsFuture Singapore .

      For more information about funding support for self-sponsored individuals, please visit SkillsFuture, or call SSG hotline at 6785 5785.

       

      II) Credit/Fund Usage

      (a) SkillsFuture Credit (SFC)
      • Receive an opening credit of $500 and periodic top-ups from the Government.
      • May be used to offset the course fees of approved skills-related courses.

      Eligibility Criteria:

      • Applicable to Singapore Citizens, aged 25 years and above.​
      • Applicants must be self-sponsored.
      For more information, please visit www.skillsfuture.gov.sg/credit, or call SSG hotline at 6785 5785.
      (b) Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA) Fund
      • Eligible applicants may utilise the funds in their own and/or their sibling(s)’ PSEA, for the payment of course fee.

      Eligibility Criteria:

      • Applicable to Singapore Citizens aged 30 years and below.​
      • Applicants must be self-sponsored.
      For more information, please visit www.moe.gov.sg/psea.
      To check the amount of available funds in your PSEA, please call MOE hotline at 6260 0777, or email [email protected].
      (c) Union Training Assistance Programme (UTAP)
      • NTUC members enjoy 50% unfunded* course fee support for up to $250 each year (or up to $500 for NTUC members aged 40 years and above).
      • Applicable for selected courses only.

      Eligibility Criteria:

      • Paid-up NTUC membership before course commencement, throughout the whole course’s duration, and at the point of claim.
      • Course must commence within the subsidy supported period.
      • Applicants must not be fully funded through company sponsorship or other types of funding.
      • Unfunded course fee must be $20 and above.
      • Achieve a minimum of 75% attendance.
      • UTAP application must be submitted within 6 months after course completion.
      * Unfunded course fee refers to the balance course fee payable after applicable government subsidy/credit/fund. This excludes GST, registration fees, miscellaneous fees, etc.
      For more information, please visit http://skillsupgrade.ntuc.org.sg, or email [email protected].

       

      Withdrawal & Refund Policy

      • Requests must be made in writing only. For company-sponsored trainees, the request must be signed off by the authorised representative of the company.
      • Registration Fee is non-refundable.
      • Upon receipt of requests, all discounts and government fee support will be cancelled, CI-NTU will follow up in accordance with the below-mentioned policy. Please refer to Terms & Conditions in the enrolment form for details.

         

        Written Request for Withdrawal ReceivedGuidelines of Refund/Top-up
        More than 30 days before course commencement.CI-NTU to refund 100% of paid fee.
        15 to 30 days before course commencement.The applicant and CI-NTU to each bear 50% of the full course fee – a refund/top-up to be processed accordingly.
        Less than 15 days before course commencement.The applicant to pay CI-NTU 100% of the full course fee.


      Enrolment Procedure
      • The enrolment form can be downloaded below, requested via email, or obtained from CI-NTU’s reception counter.
      • Enrolment deadline is 10 days before course commencement date.
      • Please read through all the terms and conditions stated in the enrolment form before submission. Submit the completed enrolment form to [email protected], or make an appointment to sign up in person at CI-NTU.
      • For company-sponsored applicants, the enrolment form must be signed by the approving authority and endorsed with the company stamp.
      • Payment notification will be issued upon acceptance of enrolment. Payment methods: PayNow, bank transfer, cheque, over the counter via Visa / MasterCard / NETS.
      • Applicants will be informed of the course status at least 5 days prior to the course commencement date. Applicants are to contact CI-NTU if they have not received the updates by the stipulated deadlines.
      Contact Details
      Contact Person Jing Yi / Eileen
      Tel 6514 1062 / 6592 2539 
      Email [email protected]
      Fax 6779 7859
      Venue 11 Slim Barracks Rise (off North Buona Vista Road), NTU@one-north campus,
      Executive Centre, #08-01, Singapore 138664
      (Nearest MRT stations: Buona Vista & one-north)

       

      In case of discrepancy between the English and Chinese webpages, the English version shall prevail.

       

      Click on links to download