BA Linguistics and Chinese / Course details

CHIN51031 is the first semester of Lower Intermediate Chinese for students who have completed Beginners’ Chinese (CHIN51011 and/or CHIN51022) or who have acquired a basic level of Chinese prior to starting university, approximately equivalent to GCSE Chinese (Mandarin). To develop and enrich their knowledge of Chinese, students will practise formal and informal discourse covering a broader range of topics. By listening to dialogues related to social activities, students will learn to understand standard conversations as well as instructions, explanations and requests. Through oral presentations and group discussions, students will express personal views, make suggestions and justify arguments. Students will read textual materials and learn to grasp the central issues and important details. Students will learn to write passages to convey information in an appropriate style. Upon completion of this course students should be reaching a level of Chinese proficiency equivalent to or higher than HSK level 3.

For new students starting their degree in September 2023, this unit is compulsory and as such requires a pass mark of 40% or above at the first sitting in order to progress to the next level of language in semester 2.  Students who fail to meet this requirement will be able to discuss their options with their relevant Programme Director and may be able to move onto the non-language degree award of East Asian Studies.

CHIN51022 or placement into the class following the language placement test

This course aims to:

• Provide students with a comprehensive and detailed knowledge of the Mandarin Chinese language and with key aspects of Chinese society and culture
• Increase students’ proficiency in listening comprehension, spoken production, reading, writing and translating skills
• Improve students’ understanding of Chinese syntax as well as the unique Chinese cultural patterns that contribute to more effective communication

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Understand language materials from within different sectors of social life
• Master a lower intermediate level of Chinese grammar and varied range of Chinese-language discourse
• Use the target language with improving accuracy
• Communicate effectively on topics relating to everyday life in a range of real-life situations

Week 1: When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Week 2: A small gift means a great deal

Week 3: Your suggestions will be highly appreciated

Week 4: They are practicing Taiji sward

Week 5: Chinese people refer to it as “The Mother River”

Week 6: Review

Week 7: Protecting the environment means protecting ourselves

Week 8: The legend of Shennu Peak

Week 9: Let me drive the car first

Week 10: It is getting hot in Beijing

Week 11: Who will pay the bill?

Week 12: Oral exam

Interactive language classes plus e-learning via blackboard and independent learning with language partners with native speakers 

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Understand language materials from within different sectors of social life
• Master a lower intermediate level of Chinese grammar and varied range of Chinese-language discourse
• Use the target language with improving accuracy
• Communicate effectively on topics relating to everyday life in a range of real-life situations

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Demonstrate that they have mastered and can correctly apply the vocabulary and grammar in Chinese;
• Show the ability to discover and select suitable source material for assignments;
• Understand and apply the cognitive skills involved in learning Chinese;
• Appraise some of the current and emerging issues connected in the culture and society in China.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Understand, read, speak and write Chinese to a high level;
• Present, utilise and disseminate information in Chinese;
• Display relevant information about the Chinese culture;
• Acquire, develop, and demonstrate the ability and competence to integrate themselves harmoniously into the Chinese communities.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

• Develop time management skills;
• Work effectively with others;
• Find the right sources for help/support;
• Learn how to learn independently.

Resit Assessment:

Written exam

• Oral feedback on individual and group presentations
• Written feedback on coursework assignments
• Additional one-to-one feedback (during consultation hour or by making an appointment)

(pass mark of 40 required on first sitting; students who fail to meet this requirement may be required to change degree programme as outlined in the regulation here)