World Languages - Chinese Major - Standard Draft - SO

Exterior of a Chinese building

World Language: Chinese

Major

The Chinese major at West Point builds advanced proficiency in Mandarin and deep cultural understanding - essential for strategic analysis, partner engagement, and operating in Indo-Pacific contexts. Cadets develop communication skills that support intelligence, diplomacy, and multinational cooperation.

Offered by the Department of English & World Languages.

Chinese: Mastering Language for Strategic Insight

The Chinese major combines intensive language training with study of culture, history, and contemporary affairs. You’ll achieve professional proficiency in Mandarin while developing the regional awareness needed to interpret complex information and communicate effectively across military and diplomatic settings.

The West Point Advantage

  • Integrate language mastery with leadership, ethics, and cultural intelligence.
  • Study Indo-Pacific geopolitics and societal structures relevant to Army missions.
  • Practice precise communication tailored to operational and analytical requirements.

Integrated military focus

  • Apply Chinese to intelligence production, strategic communications, and partner engagements.
  • Support Indo-Pacific missions with accurate language use and cultural understanding.
  • Advise commanders on regional dynamics and cultural considerations.

Hands-on learning and immersion

  • Participate in advanced conversation labs and military-focused language exercises.
  • Conduct scenario-based training for negotiation, analysis, and liaison roles.
  • Pursue AIAD immersion and language-intensive programs that build real-world proficiency.

Ethics, strategy, and global impact

  • Communicate with cultural sensitivity and professional integrity.
  • Assess ethical dimensions of influence and strategic messaging.
  • Enable mission success by balancing operational goals with respect for local norms.

Mentorship that matters

  • Learn from faculty with expertise in Chinese language and Indo-Pacific studies.
  • Connect with Army language initiatives, cultural institutes, and interagency partners.
  • Receive guidance aligned to career paths in intelligence, foreign area specialization, and diplomacy.

The Foundation to Solve Tomorrow’s Challenges

  • Intelligence and regional analysis
    • Exploit Chinese-language sources for strategic insights.
    • Provide culturally informed assessments to decision-makers.
  • Diplomacy and multinational operations
    • Strengthen partnerships through clear communication and cultural fluency.
    • Support joint and combined exercises with language-enabled liaison.
  • Civil affairs and information operations
    • Facilitate coordination with local institutions and communities.
    • Contribute to strategic communication and stability operations.
  • Education and training
    • Lead language training for units.
    • Create cultural programs that enhance readiness and interoperability.

Information for Future Cadets

Resources for Current Cadets

Chinese: Mission to Master Strategic Communication

Chinese at West Point is more than a major. It’s a launchpad for future Army leaders who will operate in complex Indo-Pacific environments where language and cultural understanding are mission-critical.

What makes this major unique? It’s the fusion of advanced Mandarin language training with West Point’s unparalleled leadership development. You’ll learn from distinguished military and civilian faculty who bring real-world regional expertise and a passion for teaching. Every course is designed to sharpen your linguistic proficiency while building your ability to lead in high-stakes, globally connected missions.

Core Foundation

  • LN231 – Intermediate Chinese I
  • LN232 – Intermediate Chinese II
  • LN331 – Advanced Chinese I
  • LN332 – Advanced Chinese II

Advanced and Applied Courses

  • LN401 – Advanced Conversation and Composition
  • LN402 – East Asian Regional Studies
  • LN403 – Military Applications of Chinese
  • LN404 – Capstone Project

Hands-On Learning

  • Scenario-based training for negotiation and liaison roles.
  • Honors research:
    • LN491 & LN492 – Individual Research I & II

Electives

  • LN410 – Indo-Pacific Security and Strategy
  • LN411 – Advanced Translation and Interpretation
  • LN412 – Cultural Diplomacy and Influence

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Chinese: Beyond the Classroom

At West Point, the Chinese major (Mandarin) is more than academic study. It builds advanced language proficiency and deep cultural understanding for Indo‑Pacific contexts, enabling cadets to contribute to intelligence, diplomacy, and multinational cooperation.

Internships

Gain practical experience through internships that connect language proficiency to real-world mission needs. These opportunities allow you to apply classroom learning to strategic contexts, from supporting Indo-Pacific security cooperation to contributing to intelligence analysis and multinational operations.

Experiential and Hands-On Learning

Chinese immerses cadets in practical language application for strategic contexts. You’ll work in advanced conversation labs tailored to operational and analytical communication, engage in scenario-based exercises for negotiation and liaison roles, and present language-enabled projects at defense and Indo-Pacific studies conferences.

Research and Facilities

While completing your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in research with DEWL, the Center for Languages, Cultures, and Regional Studies (CLCRS), and Indo-Pacific regional experts. Partner with faculty mentors on projects examining strategic communication, cultural influence, and language-enabled operations in East Asia. Your research supports Army initiatives and contributes to readiness in one of the world’s most dynamic regions.

Scholarships, Honors, and Recognition

Chinese majors are eligible to participate in the West Point Scholars Program, which provides personalized support for competitive national scholarships, such as:

  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Marshall Scholarship
  • Fulbright Fellowship
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The West Point Technical Scholars Program (TSP) mentors and guides cadets in pursuit of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships as they seek national and international honors for their academic performance. With over 240 scholarships and fellowships awarded, TSP continues to produce innovative leaders prepared for future challenges.

West Point also celebrates academic excellence and leadership through:

  • Honor societies:
  • World Languages honors program: Conduct independent research and graduate with distinction.
  • Departmental awards: Earn recognition for academic excellence and leadership in language and cultural studies.

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