Chinese beginners: intensive

What is the course about?

This course will provide you with a good grasp of the basics of Chinese, both spoken and written in order to enable you to understand conversational Chinese at natural speed, with the confidence to respond appropriately when spoken to in different situations.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Greetings
- Personal information (name, nationality, study & languages)
- Talk about daily activities
- Understand the Chinese phonetic system
- Learn to read and write 40 Chinese characters.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Exchange greetings and other courtesies
Say who you are and where you come from
Talk about what you do on a daily basis
Recognise & write 40 characters.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Beginners course - no previous knowledge required.

For further details of the specific foreign language skills required for this level, please see the languages self-assessment chart at the start of the languages section of our course guide, or at http://www.citylit.ac.uk/self-assess-your-level. You will also need to be able to respond to simple instructions and explanations, as well as read course documents, in English. You will need to be at ease with the use of numbers for daily activities (e.g. using money, telling the time, using the 24 hour clock, reading timetables). It would also be helpful if you had some knowledge of basic grammar terminology such as: a verb and a noun.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The course is based on the communicative approach:

- active students’ interaction
- emphasis on speaking and listening skills
- pair and group work
- role plays
- use of realia, pictures and authentic material
- use of audio-visual techniques when appropriate

Please note, students are expected to participate in oral classroom activities and to do some homework as and when required.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

The tutor will discusss this with students at the first session.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please check with your tutor for a suitable progression route.