Mandarin Chinese
- Level(s) of Study: Short course
- Start Date(s): Week commencing 30 September 2024
- Duration: 22 weeks (term-time only)
- Study Mode(s): Short course
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Learning a foreign language is a wonderful opportunity to not only learn the language itself, but also to reveal different perspectives on life, enabling you to explore new cultures through a different lens.
Our courses are more than just engaging classroom sessions supported by excellent online resources.
You’ll also have the option to take assessments and be awarded a Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Language Programme Certificate of Achievement.
If you continue to study with us, you may become eligible for a Certificate of Language Learning or Diploma of Language Learning (or the UNILANG Certificate).
You can find more details about these awards at www.ntu.ac.uk/ulp
What you’ll study
Our language classes are divided into Stages. Stage one is designed for real beginners whilst stage six is for advanced learners. Check out the entry requirements to determine which stage is most appropriate for you. Some languages are available across levels in terms of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This allows students to work towards UNILANG recognition, which is highly recognised by employers. For more information, see our 'Awards' section.
To see which CEFR levels are taught at each ULP stage and find out more about CEFR, click here.
The course is suitable for real beginner learners of Chinese with no prior knowledge of the language.
It is delivered face-to-face on campus with an alternative option of online delivery (see below).
Course Book
The course book for this stage is “Discover China Book 1” - Units 1 to 6 (Macmillan).
Course Content
During the course, you will learn Pinyin (the phonetic symbols for Chinese characters), and the essentials of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
You will learn how to write/use computer input and speak in Chinese about basic personal details (e.g. age, nationality, phone number, occupation) and your daily routines.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will have some basic understanding of Chinese grammar and structures and you will be able to give information about yourself, your family members and your friends and describe what they look like.
You will be able to communicate at a basic level when meeting a Chinese speaker for the first time and you will be able to write/type in Chinese characters.
The course is designed to help you achieve level 1 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Online course
Can’t come on campus? Join our new online module for beginners instead.
Weekly online sessions supplemented with flexible learning online activities using the newest online teaching software.
The online classes will be delivered by the teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time.
The content, assessments and progression are the same in the face-to-face and online classes.
As you work through this module, you will have many opportunities to collaborate and interact with your fellow students.
You will engage in group tasks, activities, and discussions in this learning room, as well as during the weekly online Microsoft Teams sessions.
The course is designed to help you achieve level 1 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China.
The course is designed for beginners of Chinese with some knowledge of the language.
It is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 1 or equivalent, e.g., GCSE at grade C or D or point 4 to 3 in Chinese or equivalent.
Course Book
The course book for this stage is “Discover China Book 1” - Units 7 to 12 (Macmillan).
Course Content
During the course, you will learn about how to make appointments, do shopping, and talk in Chinese about types of transportation and your holidays.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will have deepened your understanding of Chinese grammar and structures at an elementary level, and you will be able to learn adverbial expressions of time, measure words and alternative question words.
You will also learn how to write and type in Chinese characters.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 2 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Online course
Can’t come on campus? Join our new online module for stage 2 instead.
Weekly online sessions supplemented with flexible learning online activities using the newest online teaching software.
The online classes will be delivered by the teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time.
The content, assessments and progression are the same in the face-to-face and the online classes.
As you work through this module, you will have many opportunities to collaborate and interact with your fellow students.
You will engage in group tasks, activities, and discussions in this learning room, as well as during the weekly online Microsoft Teams sessions.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 2 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Chinese stage 3 is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 2 or equivalent, e.g., GCSE at grade A or B or point 7 to 5 in Chinese or equivalent.
Course Book
The coursebook for this stage is “Discover China Book 2” -Units 1 to 6 (Macmillan).
Course Content
During the course, you will learn topics relating to invitations, weather descriptions, festivals, shopping, asking directions, hotel booking and traveling.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will be able to describe your feelings, plan a trip to China, make invitations, compare things, and describe sightseeing experiences in Chinese.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 3 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Chinese stage 4 is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 3 or equivalent, e.g., GCSE grade A*, point 9-8 or AS level grade C or above in Chinese or equivalent.
Course Book
The coursebook for this stage is “Discover China Book 2” -Units 7 to 12 (Macmillan).
Course Content
During the course you will study topics relating to ordering Chinese food, bargaining in a shop, describing resorts, asking about details of goods, seeing a doctor, and describing people and their personalities.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will be able to read a Chinese menu and order food, describe sightseeing and people’s appearances, talk about your illness at the doctor’s, and ask for directions and suggestions.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 4 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Chinese stage 5 is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 4 or equivalent, e.g., A level grade D or E in the language or equivalent.
Chinese stages 5 and 6 are normally taught as a merged class.
Course Book
The coursebook for this stage is “HSK Standard Course 5A-Textbook”.
We also use authentic materials on current affairs (BBC Chinese, New York Times Chinese and China Daily, etc.)
Course Content
During the course you will study topics relating to Chinese culture and society as well as current news about China and Taiwan, and some business Chinese.
At the end of the course, you will be able to read and discuss a variety of topics in Chinese and give an in-depth presentation on an area of your choice.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will gain a good understanding of Chinese culture and contemporary society.
Typically, you will be able to compare/ contrast the Chinese culture/ society to your own.
You will also be able to write and speak about a range of topics covered in the module and give a coherent presentation on an area of your choice.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 4-5 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
Chinese stage 6 is the right stage for you if you have successfully completed Chinese stage 5 or equivalent, e.g., an A level at grade C or above in Chinese plus at least one further year of study or equivalent.
Chinese stages 5 and 6 are normally taught as a merged class.
Course Book
The coursebook for this stage is “HSK Standard Course 5A-Textbook”. We also use authentic materials on current affairs (BBC Chinese, New York Times Chinese and China Daily, etc.).
Course Content
During the course you will study topics relating to Chinese culture and society as well as current news about China and Taiwan, and some business Chinese.
Course Outcome
At the end of the course, you will gain a deeper understanding of Chinese culture and contemporary society and can compare/contrast Chinese culture/society to your own.
Typically, you will be able to write about and discuss variety of topics in Chinese and give an in-depth presentation on an area of your choice.
The course is designed to help you achieve a level of language proficiency equivalent to level 5 of HSK (International standardised test for Chinese language proficiency from China).
How you’re taught
Your language study is designed in a flexible and blended learning mode which consists of taught sessions and guided self-study.
Contact hours
You will take part in two hours of weekly class contact time and will need to complete an additional two to four hours per week guided self-study.
How you’re assessed
Assessments will take place in class during University term time. To progress onto the next stage of your chosen language you must complete and pass all the assessments on the previous stage.
Campus and facilities
Here are some of the free services, student discount and benefits you'll get studying at NTU
We've carefully considered what benefits and services you need for your studies, so when you join NTU you'll get free printing and materials credits, access to our free WiFi, a copy of Microsoft Office, and even borrow a laptop if yours is out of commission.
For life outside your lectures, you'll enjoy access to over 60 sports clubs and 130 student societies, discounted travel and bike hire, free language learning, award-winning student support and an entertainment programme which is second to none.
See all the benefits and free services you will enjoy as an NTU student.
Books and library resources
In our library you’ll have access to an extensive and diverse range of books including those on your reading list.
The library's online resources and NTU Online Workspace (NOW) also provides digital access to the core resources for your modules and a wide range of specialist collections, texts, and databases
Nottingham Trent University has its own Blackwell’s Bookshop which stocks relevant academic texts plus a wide range of bestselling novels.
IT Resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the campus, with PCs providing access to: Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student). Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
Societies
Current students run societies in a range of Humanities and Arts subjects including History, Medieval, Film, Filmmaking, Philosophy, Politics and International Relations, and the Book society.
There are also a number of media channels which our students get involved in such as the NTU radio station FlyLive, our student magazine Platform, and TV station TrentTV.
Find out more about student societies at the Student Union website.
Entry requirements
Stage 1 (no prior knowledge or qualification needed)
Stage 2 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 1 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE at grade C or D or point 4 to 3)
Stage 3 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 2 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE at grade A or B or point 7 to 5)
Stage 4 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 3 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE grade A* or point 9 to 8, or AS level grade C or above )
Stage 5 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 4 or equivalent, e.g. A level grade D or E)
Stage 6 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 5 or equivalent, e.g. A level grade A, B or C plus at least one further year of study)
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Stage 1 (no prior knowledge or qualification needed)
Stage 2 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 1 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE at grade C or D or point 4 to 3)
Stage 3 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 2 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE at grade A or B or point 7 to 5)
Stage 4 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 3 or equivalent, e.g. GCSE grade A* or point 9 to 8, or AS level grade C or above )
Stage 5 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 4 or equivalent, e.g. A level grade D or E)
Stage 6 (successful completion of Mandarin Chinese stage 5 or equivalent, e.g. A level grade A, B or C plus at least one further year of study)
Fees and funding
The course fee is £275
* Payment is due at the time of booking.
The course fee is £275
* Payment is due at the time of booking.
How to apply
Stage 1:
1 October 2024 - 1 April 2025 (Tuesdays, 3 - 5 pm)
2 October 2024 - 2 April 2025 (Wednesdays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 2:
1 October 2024 - 1 April 2025 (Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm)
2 October 2024 - 2 April 2025 (Wednesdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 3:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 4:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 5:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 6:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Online classes
If you can’t make it to our in person sessions you can now join our new online modules instead. These are weekly online sessions with a teacher and other students, supplemented with flexible learning online activities and using the newest online teaching software. The online classes will be delivered by your teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time. The content, assessments and progression are the same as in the face-to-face class.
Stage 1:
30 September 2024 - 31 March 2025 (Mondays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 2:
Stage 1:
1 October 2024 - 1 April 2025 (Tuesdays, 3 - 5 pm)
2 October 2024 - 2 April 2025 (Wednesdays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 2:
1 October 2024 - 1 April 2025 (Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm)
2 October 2024 - 2 April 2025 (Wednesdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 3:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 4:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 5:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Stage 6:
3 October 2024 - 3 April 2025 (Thursdays, 3 - 5 pm)
Online classes
If you can’t make it to our in person sessions you can now join our new online modules instead. These are weekly online sessions with a teacher and other students, supplemented with flexible learning online activities and using the newest online teaching software. The online classes will be delivered by your teacher via MS Teams, and you can complete many interactive exercises in your own time. The content, assessments and progression are the same as in the face-to-face class.
Stage 1:
30 September 2024 - 31 March 2025 (Mondays, 6 - 8 pm)
Stage 2: