Chinese 1 (Level 6)

Overview

• Credit value: 30 credits at Level 6
• Convenor: Dr Michael Tsang
• Assessment: three in-class tests (15% each), a three-hour examination including oral interview (35%), 1500-word self-reflexive essay in English (15%) and class participation (5%)

Module description

Chinese 1 is ideal for students with little or no knowledge of Mandarin Chinese.

This module provides you with the fundamental grammar, basic skills and conversation practice to be able to express yourself in a variety of social situations, including for travel in Sinophone areas. You will study present and past tenses and learn the meaning of simple requests, statements and questions in everyday situations. You will learn Chinese characters and vocabulary items for a variety of topics and situations. You will also learn about the basic culture and society of China and other Sinophone contexts.

Classes are interactive and taught by native speakers.

Learning objectives

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• express yourself in basic Mandarin Chinese in simple everyday social situations, which include standard greetings, asking about nationality/occupation, shopping, taking transportation, ordering a meal, talking about everyday routines, past holidays, inviting people for a meal/drink, expressing likes/dislikes, making reservations, asking for directions, making polite requests, asking for permission
• understand the meaning of simple statements and questions in predictable everyday situations in both face-to-face situations or via electronic media, such as the phone
• understand the main points of simple texts which are written in Chinese characters, which include some basic written directions and instructions in everyday life
• formulate simple messages and texts connected with your own life using a limited range of specified structures
• read and write Chinese characters.