Instruction is offered from beginning through advanced levels. Non-beginners may ask for a proficiency assessment, face to face or by phone. The Center operates on a three-term system, fall and spring terms lasting fifteen weeks and the summer term eleven weeks. Short-term courses with cultural tour to China are offered in Summer. Students at any level may register for admission to any term. Full-time study involves fifteen classroom hours each week. This degree of intensity is considered ideal by the Center faculty.

Tapes or disks are available for all spoken language texts. Students can purchase these materials for their courses from the Center's lab at cost or, for a nominal fee have copies made of non-copyrighted material. The Center has a separate language laboratory with audio and video facilities and computer terminals.