Mandarin Level 1

On successful completion of this module, you will be better prepared to:

• identify each of the four tones and neutral tone through listening;
• render the sounds of Mandarin in Romanised form;
• express in writing, basic personal information using Chinese script;
• engage with and respond to a selection of simple aural materials;
• provide basic information orally and respond to questions;
• complete simple practical tasks using spoken Chinese.

In this module, your work will cover an introduction to the basics of the language to support the development of your communicative skills. This will include a selection of the following linguistic structures:

• stative verbs
• negation
• particles
• interrogative forms
• classificatory verbs
• possessives
• modal verbs
• measure words
• numbers
• indirect questions and the subordinating marker, de
• the weather
• likes and dislikes
• abilities
• family
• jobs and occupations
• food and drink
• telling the time
• dates, days of the week and months of the year
• leisure activities

In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, the in-class activities you will complete will cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and may include: pair work and group work (dialogue practice, information gap exercises, discussion and collection of key terms/ideas followed by report to plenum); individual tasks (face-to-face and online); discovery and formulation of rules; work with texts, audio and video material to develop learning and communicative skills.

Preparation tasks and formative assessment tasks will give you the opportunity to revise and consolidate knowledge and skills, and to develop an awareness of how to use language-learning tools independently. Tasks centring on the acquisition of Chinese script are set every week on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). In addition, regular speaking and writing exercises will be set, following a flipped-classroom approach to ensure face-to-face time is devoted to interactional learning and the acquisition of communicative skills. You will be provided with materials to study independently beforehand and then asked to apply them during classroom time. Your lecturer will provide you with support materials and guidance to enable you to reinforce the topics covered at your own pace.

Formal feedback is given within two weeks of the submission deadline. Informal feedback will be provided, where appropriate.

• Coursework (20%): Autumn term, task-based portfolio, to be completed by the beginning of the spring term. This pack contains approx. eight tasks, covering speaking, writing, listening and reading skills.  
• Coursework (20%): Spring term, task-based portfolio, to be completed by the end of term. This pack contains approx. six tasks, covering speaking, writing, listening and reading skills. 
• Examination (40%): 1.5-hour in-class test, taking place at the end of spring term. It will consist of a passage that tests both reading and writing skills (80-100 characters), a grammar and lexicon task, and recognition of radicals.  
• Practical (20%): Oral exam (10 mins), including a pre-prepared practical task, followed by general questions on topics seen in class (taken at the end of spring term). 

Summative assessment consists of two coursework portfolios, a written examination and an oral practical. Each is described below:

Portfolio tasks are designed to be completed alongside the module's weekly learning units, providing a natural pace and sequence throughout the term. While individual tasks do not carry separate submission deadlines, the structure of the module means that students who engage with the module week by week will complete the portfolio progressively and manageably. The final portfolio submission deadlines (January for Portfolio 1; March for Portfolio 2) provide the formal submission point.

Coursework Portfolio 1 is released during the autumn term and must be submitted by the beginning of spring term (January). It comprises approx. eight tasks, covering all four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking). Tasks are a mix of graded and completion-based components: reading tasks are awarded a numerical grade, while listening, speaking and writing tasks are credited for submission only (you will receive full credit for completing and submitting the task, regardless of the level of performance). This approach is designed to encourage engagement and independent practice, without the pressure of graded assessment on these skill areas.

Coursework Portfolio 2 is released during the spring term and must be submitted by the end of the term (March). It comprises approx. six tasks and follows the same graded/ completion structure as Portfolio 1.

• 7.5 ECTS points awarded on successful completion of the module.
• Available to take for credit towards your degree, where your department allows. Also available for extra credit. The Module options by department page has a full list of the credit options.
• You must be prepared to attend all classes and undertake approximately 3 hours of private study each week in addition to the assessment.

Module materials

A link to the core textbooks will be provided on the VLE.