Chinese beginners: module 1

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.

What will we cover?

Teaching materials are based on units 1-3 of Discover China Student’s book 1 (the tutor might adjust teaching content according to students’ progress.)
Greetings
Personal information (name, nationality, study, languages we speak and occupations)
Talk about your family
Weekly pronunciation and intonation practice,
Lots of listening and speaking practice on the above topics
Students will have a chance to deliver a short presentation in Chinese (This task is optional, and students can choose to opt out.),.

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

Exchange greetings and other courtesies
Introduce yourself and other people
Ask and answer questions about occupations
Give and ask for personal details
Talk about family
Use numbers 1-100
Recognise 60 radicals or characters (optional)
Read basic sentences in pinyin
Understand the Chinese phonetic system
Practise correct Mandarin pronunciation and know the difference between the 5 tones
Have a basic conversation between the tutor and students or between students.

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?

Discover China Book 1

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

Chinese beginners: module 2. Please enrol as soon as possible as places cannot be guaranteed.