Chinese Mandarin Course 2011: Standard

Chinese. Learn Chinese with us.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses both online and in-person. Please check the delivery format for each class before you enrol.

Please note that course materials for all classes (excluding prescribed textbooks) are shared electronically within 48 hours of a course starting. Printing is not available.

Level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This course covers the prescribed textbook Integrated Chinese, Volume 3, Lessons 1 to 2, and is taught over ten weekly sessions of two hours per week.

Aims

This course aims to:

• introduce 100 vocabulary items
• cover more topics such as: beginning a new semester and university accommodation
• continue to build your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills by extending your communicative competence through various activities
• improve your conversation skills, ability to comprehend spoken passages, read and write passages based on your vocabulary and increase your knowledge and appreciation of culture
• provide you with a solid foundation in language and culture, necessary for further studies at the intermediate and advanced levels.

Outcomes

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

• discuss around 100 vocabulary items and recognise about 130 Chinese characters
• explain how to write your Chinese name in characters
• say where you were born and where you grew up
• discuss the pros and cons of living on and off campus
• express a dissenting opinion politely
• name basic pieces of furniture in a house
• describe your living quarters
• introduce your neighbourhood
• recommend an authentic Chinese restaurant to friends
• comment on someone’s living quarters
• disagree with other’s opinions tactfully.

Content

• To begin a new semester – explain how to write your name, say where you were born and grew up, discuss the pros and cons of living on and off campus, politely express a dissenting opinion
• University accommodation – name basic pieces of furniture in the house, describe your living quarters, comment on someone’s living quarters, disagree tactfully
• Words/phrases: 觉得 (to feel), 方便 (convenient), 安全(safe), 省钱 (to save money, to economize), 自由 (free, unconstrained), 不见得 (not necessarily), 好处 (advantage, benefit), 适应 (to adapt, to become accustomed to), 恐怕 (I’m afraid, I think perhaps), 差不多 (about, roughly), 吵 (noisy, to quarrel) , 安静 (quiet), 一般 (generally speaking), 不怎么样 (not that great, just so-so) , 地道 (authentic, genuine, pure)
• Forms and accuracy: 除了…以外…, 再说, 比较, 得很, 那么
• The dynamic particle 了, adverb 真, conjunctions
• The 是…的… construction, connecting sentences, existential sentences

Intended audience

Suitable for B1 level students, those who have completed Chinese Mandarin 1042 or who have completed 160 hours of recent tuition.

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, 4th Ed., Volume 3, Textbook (Simplified & Traditional)
• Integrated Chinese, 4th Ed., Volume 3, Workbook (Simplified & Traditional)
• Integrated Chinese, 4th Ed., Volume 3, Character Workbook (Simplified & Traditional)

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

All textbooks 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.

Please note

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