Chinese Mandarin Course 101: Intensive (Beginners)

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If you want to learn to speak Chinese, our Chinese classes are ideal for adult learners to enjoy a practical and social experience while you learn Chinese language and culture. Learn Chinese the smart way with Chinese courses at CCE, the University of Sydney.

Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This course combines 1011: Standard and 1012: Standard. It covers Integrated Chinese Level 1 Part 1, Lessons 1 to 5 and is taught over four hours per week in two sessions. The content is also available over two hours per week in one session by completing Chinese Mandarin 1011: Standard (Beginners) followed by Chinese Mandarin 1012: Standard.

Aims

• Introduces 180 vocabulary items.
• Covers the basics with simple, graded activities on essential topics such as greetings, family, dates and time, hobbies and visiting friends.
• Introduces essential grammatical structures.
• Positions pinyin close to characters so students can focus on speaking and pronunciation.
• Introduces the system of character writing---hanzi, as a guide to literacy.
• Concentrates on four skills of language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, participants should be able to:

1. Master the Chinese phonetic system and read Chinese pinyin with correct pronunciation and tones.
2. Discuss 180 vocabulary items and recognise around 230 Chinese characters.
3. Exchange basic greetings in Chinese, introduce themself and others, ask and answer questions about personal details such as name, last name, nationality, family members etc.
4. Introduce their profession and ask about other professions in Chinese.
5. Employ basic Chinese kinship terms and describe a family photo in Chinese.
6. Tell and speak about time and dates, talk about one’s age and birthday.
7. Invite someone to dinner, arrange a dinner date.
8. Say and write the terms for basic personal hobbies, ask about someone’s hobbies.
9. Ask friends out to see a movie, set up plans for the weekend.
10. Introduce one person to another, compliment someone on their house.
11. Ask for beverages as a guest at someone else’s place, offer beverages to a visitor.
12. Briefly describe a visit to a friend’s place.
13. Deliver a presentation introducing themselves andtheir date of birth, family members, hobbies and favor food and drinks in Chinese both orally and in written form.
14. Gain insight into Chinese writing system and skills in writing characters in correct stroke order.

Content

This course covers the following topics:

• Greetings – exchanging greetings and asking about someone’s nationality
• Family – looking at a family photo and asking about someone’s family
• Dates and times – taking someone out/inviting someone out to dinner in their birthday
• Discussing hobbies e.g. would you like to play ball?
• Visiting friends – visiting a friend’s home and at a friend’s house
• The verbs 姓 (xìng), 叫 (jiào), 是 (shì) and有 (yǒu)
• The adverbs不 (bù), 也 (yě), 都 (dōu), 还 (hái) and 才 (cái)
• The particles的 (de), 吧 (ba) and 了 (le)
• The conjunction 那么 (nàme)
• The modal verb 想 (xiǎng)
• The preposition 在 (zài)
• Numbers (0, 1–100)
• Usage of 二 (èr)/两 (liǎng)
• Dates and time
• Measure words
• Word order
• Questions ending with 吗 (ma) and 呢 (ne), question pronouns, alternative questions, affirmative + negative (A-not-A) questions, questions with 好吗 (hǎo ma)
• 去 (qù) + action
• Verb + object as a detachable compound
• 一下 (yí xià) and 一点儿 (yì diǎnr) moderating the tone of voice
• Adjectives as predicates

Intended Audience

Suitable for beginner A1 level students. No prior knowledge of the language is required.

Delivery Style

Delivered in the form of an interactive workshop where active participation is encouraged.

Prescribed Text

• Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1 Textbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified & Traditional)
• Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1 Workbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified & Traditional)
• Integrated Chinese, Level 1 Part 1 Character Workbook, 3rd Edition (Simplified & Traditional)

Both simplified and traditional character versions of the textbook and the two workbooks are available, however the simplified version will be taught in the classroom. Students can also opt for the electronic version of materials.

While the Textbook is required, the Workbook and Character Workbook are optional, but recommended.

In addition to purchasing online, students may also be able to source textbooks from our preferred textbook suppliers.

Textbooks should only be purchased after confirmation is received from us. This usually occurs up to 5 days prior to commencement.

Suggested Textbook Suppliers

The Co-op Bookshop
coop.com.au

Become a member and get up to 50% off everything – online, on your tablet or mobile, or in over 60 stores.

Language Book Centre
languagebooks.com.au

Take your enrolment confirmation and a copy of this page to the Language Book Centre to receive a 10% discount off the price of the recommended text.

Please note that in some cases, our suggested supplier may not stock your prescribed text. Please check stock availability prior to signing up for any membership.

Please Note

Selected Language and Culture courses that teach spoken language may include use of language immersion (course instruction in the selected language) as part of the training strategy.