A post-Level 1 or equivalent module in Mandarin Chinese language and culture
Module details
- Offered to all undergraduates
- Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, 16.00-18.00 (depending on year of study)
- Planned delivery: On campus (South Kensington)
- Two-term module, worth 7.5 ECTS
- Available to eligible students as part of I-Explore
- Extra Credit, or Degree Credit where your department allows
Mandarin advice
contact the Coordinator:
Dr Ruth Herd
0207 594 8784
Room: ASL 323 (access via Sherfield Building, Level 3)
Centre for Languages, Culture and Communication
A module for students with some prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese, including basic knowledge of Simplified Characters.
This module aims to:
- consolidate your competence in the basic sentence structures of Mandarin Chinese, across all four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening);
- introduce communicative strategies that will equip you with the linguistic tools to apply your learning in a wide range of everyday situations;
- expand your knowledge of Chinese characters;
- provide you with the opportunity to acquire the necessary tools for independent language learning;
- offer an insight into aspects of China's history and culture, and prepare you to progress to higher levels.
Important eligibility information
To be eligible for this module, you need to have done one of the following:
- Successfully completed Mandarin Level 1
- Obtained an HSK Certificate Level 1
- Already achieved the equivalent level by other means
As a guide you should have a reading knowledge of approximately 200 characters.
Please note that our Mandarin modules are designed as foreign language courses and are therefore unsuitable for native speakers and students with Chinese Heritage. Students with the following backgrounds will automatically be considered ineligible for a Mandarin module:
- those who grew up in China, Malaysia, Singapore, or Indonesia
- those who attended school in China or a Chinese School elsewhere
- those who speak conversational Mandarin
- Cantonese speakers who have knowledge of Mandarin
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries or are unsure if you are eligible for one of our modules.
Please note: The information on this module description is indicative. The module may undergo minor modifications before the start of next academic year.
Information blocks
On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:
- express yourself in writing using Chinese script and employing an enhanced range of vocabulary and structures;
- deploy function words, expressing aspect with accuracy;
- engage with and respond to a selection of aural material;
- complete practical tasks, such as carrying out a transaction in a shop.
In this module, your work will cover a thorough revision of all the basic structures of the language (stative verbs, sentences with shi; rules of word order, modal verbs, etc.) and may include the following linguistic structures:
- reduplication of measure words
- subordinating marker 'de'
- nominalisation with 'de'
- measurements and quantities
- money
- correlative conjunctions
- location
These linguistic structures will be applied to the following topics:
- shopping
- health
- location of objects
- geographical location
- family relationships
- hobbies
- the geography of China
In line with MFL communicative and active learning methodology, in-class activities cover all four skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and include: pair work and group work; 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, independent study and support materials are made available every week on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), to reinforce topics covered at your own pace. Feedback will be given for tasks submitted, to ensure you are supported to complete your work and aware of assessment expectations.
Formal feedback is given within two weeks of the submission deadline. Informal feedback will be provided where appropriate.
- Coursework (20%): Task-based portfolio, to be completed over a number of weeks and by the beginning of spring term. This pack contains approx. eight tasks, covering speaking, writing, listening and reading skills.
- Coursework (30%): Task-based portfolio, to be completed over a number of weeks by the end of spring term. This pack contains approx. six tasks, covering speaking, writing, listening and reading skills.
- Examination (30%): 1.5 hour in-class test, at the end of spring term. It will include a writing task (approx. 200 characters), grammar and lexicon.
- Practical (20%): Oral exam (15 minutes), including a pre-prepared practical task, followed by general questions on topics seen in class (taken in the summer term).
Summative assessment consists of two coursework portfolios, a written examination, and an oral practical.
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. Each is described below:
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.
Coursebooks
Colloquial Chinese by P.C. T’ung and D.E. Pollard, Routledge, 1982*; and its accompanying Character Text for Colloquial Chinese (Simplified Version).
*Available on Leganto as an eBook
"Dr. Herd was always prepared for lessons, and the module is well structured. We learned the essential bits of Mandarin, and I think I have improved a lot due to good quality of the module."
"Really enjoyed the course, it is well structured and stimulating. Not too easy or too difficult."
"Extremely satisfied with the course so far. People around me could see a definite improvement in my Mandarin within 5 weeks of starting this course. "
"Enjoyed the interactive nature of the course. Materials available were of a very large range which is good."