Course information

Chinese. Learn Chinese with us.

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

This beginner's course covers Integrated Chinese, Volume 1, Lessons 1 to 2, and is taught over ten weekly sessions of two hours per week.

Aims

This course aims to:

• introduce the first year of study and 70 vocabulary items
• cover the basics with simple, graded activities on essential topics such as greetings, family etc.
• introduce basic grammatical structures
• position pinyin close to characters so you can focus on speaking and pronunciation
• introduce the system of character writing---hanzi, as a guide to literacy.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• master the Chinese phonetic system and read Chinese pinyin with correct pronunciation and tone
• discuss 70 vocabulary items and recognise around 80 Chinese characters
• exchange basic greetings in Chinese, introduce yourself and others, and ask and answer questions about personal details such as name, surname, nationality, family members, etc.
• introduce your profession and ask about other's professions in Chinese
• employ basic Chinese kinship terms and describe a family photo in Chinese
• deliver a presentation introducing yourself and your family in Chinese, both orally and in written form
• gain insight into the Chinese writing system and skills in writing characters in correct stroke order.

Content

• General introduction to Mandarin and Chinese dialects
• Chinese Pinyin system — 21 consonants, 6 major vowels and 29 compound vowels, 4 tones
• Practice of pronunciation and tones
• Review of over 70 Vocabulary items — nouns related to greetings, self-introduction, name, nationality, family, siblings, photo, professions, identities; basic verbs, adverbs, particles
• Basic grammar — basic sentence structure of declarative sentences, Yes or No questions, special questions, use of adverbs, measure words, particles
• Basic greetings, self-introduction, asking and introducing name, nationality and family members, describing a photo
• Chinese writing system — Chinese character categories, basic Chinese radicals, character writing rules, basic stroke order
• Practice writing 30 characters
• Introduction to Chinese culture — names and kinship relations etc

Intended audience

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

Prerequisites

None

Delivery style

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

Prescribed text

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. You can also opt for the electronic version of materials.

• Integrated Chinese Volume 1 Textbook, 4th Edition (Simplified)
• Integrated Chinese Volume 1 Workbook, 4th Edition (Simplified/Traditional)
• Integrated Chinese Volume 1 Character Workbook, 4th Edition (Simplified & Traditional)

While the textbook is required, the workbook and character workbook are optional.

All books are available in 3rd and 4th editions. If you already own a 3rd edition copy, you're welcome to use it. If not, please purchase the 4th edition.

Textbooks should only be purchased once you receive confirmation from us. This usually occurs three days prior to class commencement.

Suggested textbook supplier

Language Book Centre
languagebooks.com.au

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.