"Studying language is a gradual thing, " advises Chen Shu, a professor of English at the Beijing Foreign Studies University.

CNN: ASIANOW - TIME Asia

The university consortia include the Al Akhawayn University of Morocco, the Beijing Foreign Studies University and Peking University of China, the Tecnologico de Monterrey University of Mexico, the University of Ghana and the Macquarie University of Australia.

CNN: 'Scholar Ship' ready to set sail

Mr. Gaffney holds a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

The university first forged the links in 1976 and is now setting up a university Guangdong University of Foreign Studies.

BBC: Lancaster University wins award for China links