<p>I'm a second year at UCR. I have not taken any language classes yet. I want to take a Chinese class. I can speak Chinese but cannot read or write. My family all speak Chinese fluently and literate as well. Also, to those that have taken first year Chinese how is the class?? Is the class challenging and are there a lot of public speaking involved? :/</p>
<p>You will have to take the placement test, which IMO is pretty ez.</p>
<p>If you can speak… but not read and write, they will place you in some sort of heritage chinese class. The teacher will speak to the class in Chinese… and start teaching you guys more about how to read and write… rather than pinyin and stuff.</p>
<p>I helped a friend with Chinese 4. He was learning about xiao long bao… gong gong qi che (public bus), etc. there is a lot of unnecessary homework though. 10 time each, listening to some conversations online… then answering it on paper later, etc. You do get called on randomly in class to answer questions that the teacher asks. You create dialogues with a partner. It’s a typical language class.</p>
<p>I considered failing the placement test so that I could take the classes to boost my GPA, but I decided that it wasn’t work all the extra work.</p>
<p>I’m planning on taking the placement exam soon too and since you’ve already taken the exam could you please tell me how long the test was?</p>
<p>No, as long as you talk to your advisor and register through them first.</p>