Chinese. Learn Chinese with us.

Level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This course covers Integrated Chinese, Volume 4, Lessons 11 to 13, and is taught over ten weekly sessions of two hours per week.

Aims

This course aims to:

• introduce around 100 vocabulary items
• cover more topics such as: festivals, and changes in China
• pay ongoing attention to pronunciation and grammar which remains a crucial part of improving your language skills
• improve your conversational skills, comprehension of spoken passages, ability to read and write passages through various activities, and increase your language acquisition in a real-world context
• provide you with a solid foundation in language and culture, necessary for further study 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
• name the major traditional Chinese holidays and explain when they occur
• name the food that is most associated with each of the major traditional Chinese holidays
• express your New Year’s wishes
• describe the festivities during the Chinese New Year period
• wish others success or good health
• describe the sights and sounds of a major city
• give a simple account of the growth of a city from the past to the present
• describe someone who is extremely hungry
• describe in basic terms some features of a historic tourist site
• express in a Chinese proverb the Chinese people’s mindset on food culture
• express surprise at an unforeseen turn of events.

Content

• Festivals – name the major traditional holidays and explain when they occur; name the foods associated with each of the major traditional holidays; express New Year’s wishes; describe the festivities that occur during the New Year period; and wish others success or good health
• Changes in China – describe the sights and sounds of a major city; describe in basic terms some features of a historic tourist site; give a simple account of the growth of a city from the past to the present; and express surprise at an unforeseen turn of events
• Words & phrases: V 起来, V 得出(来) (be able to tell), 气氛 (atmosphere, ambiance), 传统 (tradition, traditional), 热闹 (lively, buzzing with excitement, bustling with activity), 完全 (entirely, completely), 的确 (indeed), 要不是 (if it were not for, but for), 从来 (from past till present, always, at all times), 看来 (it seems), 尽可能 (as much as possible, do one’s utmost)
• Form and accuracy: (先)…再…, 以A 为B
• Preposition 以 , adverb 竟 (然), particle 嘛, particle 过, adverb 可(是) continued
• Adj / V + 着 + V, 一 + reduplicated measure word
• Reduplication of measure words
• End-of-sentence particle 啊

Intended audience

Suitable for B2 level students, those who have completed Chinese Mandarin 2022, or who have completed 240 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 4, Textbook (Simplified & Traditional)

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

• Integrated Chinese, 4th Ed., Volume 4, 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.