College courses - level

[Address7]

If one studies Chinese at a university level, what level does one achieve, typically, after 1 semester, 2 semesters, 3 semesters, etc.? (Maybe in numbers of characters/words.)

I am asking because I am thinking of enrolling in a course, but I am not an absolute beginner anymore. I don't know whether I can skip Chinese I, or maybe Chinese I+II, and so on. (I know I should talk to a professor before signing up, but I'd like to find out more first.)

[chrix]

It doesn't so much depend on the number of semesters but on how many hours per week and what kind of program it is, so it's really hard say. Also what kind of background, if you have mainly learned how to speak and don't know any characters (or even a heritage learner), or vice versa (if you were Japanese)...

A large program with many levels will ideally have a placement test for you to take after which you'd be placed in the appropriate level. So the best thing is indeed to talk to an instructor...

[xiaotao]

Find out what book they use for each class and look for yourself.

[Shi Tong]

I would suggest that if your reading/ writing level is much lower than your speaking/ hearing, I would bring your read/ write up to scratch by self study first.

I've been doing this because of the above, and finding it really useful because I can use my spoken/ listening chinese to teach myself.