This language module is designed for learners who have completed CHIN104 Elementary Chinese or have already attained a HSK2/HSK2+ level of the language. Through a variety of methods students will keep developing an intermediate competence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking Chinese and an understanding of a higher level of Chinese grammar.
At the end of this 12-week module learners will reach the B1 proficiency level in the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and will be able to conduct useful communication tasks related to everyday life. They will be able to deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. They will have a good understanding of life and culture in China and intercultural skills necessary for their language proficiency level.
Study Objectives
- To develop an intermediate competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking Chinese equivalent toHSK2+ level.
- To provide students with an understanding of basic and intermediate structures of Chinese grammar;
- To explore aspects of contemporary Chinese-speaking cultures through the medium of Chinese;
- To develop students' language learning strategy, use and a reflective approach towards language learning.
Syllabus
This course covers the units 9-12 in Discover China Book 2.
Week 1
- Building vocabulary on describing the features of places/sceneries and feelings
- Identifying information about the location and features of scenic areas from a travel advertisement
Week 2
- Talking about a places of natural beauty through comparisons
- Expressing result of an action with 到; expressing percentages using 百分之…, 除了⋯以外，还…
Week 3
- Talking about information about scenic areas and reading traveling information
- Writing about the scenery of a place
- Distinguishing “j” and “z”
Week 4
- Building vocabulary on descriptions of people’s appearance and clothes, such as sportswear, sizes
- Asking about people’s appearance
Week 5
- Describing people’s appearance
- Learning about serial verb construction; affirmative-negative questions; expressing immediate actions with (就) 要…了…
Week 6
- Learning about the neural tone
- Writing about a family member or friends’ appearance
Week 7
- Building up vocabulary on seeing the doctor, illness, symptoms, and healthy lifestyles
- Talking about symptoms of illness, medical advice and instructions, health, and activities
- Learning about the auxiliary word 地, and 多 & 少
- Expressing the duration of action
Week 8
- Talking about illness, asking for and giving reasons, giving advice and describing requirements
- Tone sandhi: 不 and 一
- Writing tips for a healthy life
Week 9
- Building up vocabulary on personal characteristics, personalities and hobbies
- Learning how to ask Wh-questions
- Distinguish the difference between 有一点 and 一点儿
- Distinguish the auxiliary words 的/地/得
Week 10
- Distinguish ‘s’ and ‘sh’
- Finding out about personality traits from a quiz
- Talking about people's appearance and personalities
- Writing about people's characteristics and hobbies
Week 11
- Revising previous lessons and mock test.
Week 12
- Written and speaking tests will take place this week. Completing the assessment is required for students taking the course as part of their degree. For all other students, taking the tests is also strongly recommended, as a measure of your progress and learning.
Textbook details:
Discover China Student Book Two (Discover China Chinese Language Learning Series)
by Shaoyan Qi and Jie Zhang (2011)
Publisher : Macmillan Education; 1st edition (14 Sept. 2011)
Language : English
Paperback : 184 pages
ISBN-10 : 0230406394
ISBN-13 : 978-0230406391
Dimensions : 21.9 x 1.2 x 27.5 cm
Price: around £33
We recommend our students to buy their textbooks from Blackwell’s on campus. They have a price match policy and you can pre-order over the phone with them and pick the book when you are on campus.
Study Hours
The total number of study hours for this module is 150 hours, in line with undergraduate university modules. This includes class meetings, assessment preparation and self-directed study in line with guidance from the course lecturer.
If you are studying on the extracurricular mode, we recognise that the total number of hours that you may be able to study every week may depend on your availability and previous experience studying languages, however, expected contribution to classes, homework completion, and learning outcomes will not vary.
Course Lecturer: Xiaoxiao Hou
Xiaoxiao holds a Bachelor's degree in Pedagogy and Musicology from Jiangnan University, a Masters in Musicology from Durham, and a degree in Applied Psychology from Leeds in the UK. Currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Liverpool, her interdisciplinary research focuses on the impact of music on the wellbeing and memory of individuals with dementia. With over 7 years of experience, she teaches Mandarin Chinese and has worked at various institutions in the UK. As a skilled musician, she began playing piano and Guzheng at a young age, achieving top-level performance distinctions in China. Xiaoxiao has performed concerts in China and the UK, showcasing her expressive style in diverse settings, including major UK theatres and educational institutions.
Fees for language courses are £180/£90.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Visit our fee bands page to see which fee applies to you.
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