Learn Chinese Mandarin Lower Intermediate (Full Syllabus)

This comprehensive, year-long online Chinese course will enhance your ability to communicate in Mandarin by adding more description and detail in your use of the language.

You’ll re-examine some familiar topics, using more advanced vocabulary and conveying a deeper meaning throughout the virtual lessons. You’ll learn how to bargain with a seller to get the best price, comment on the service in a hotel and discuss outings to museums and historical sites.

You’ll be able to make comparisons, talk about actions-in-progress; and practice using the passive voice. You will also learn how to use adverbs, adjectives and descriptive information to improve your spoken and written skills.

As part of a small group of students, you will learn more about China’s fascinating culture and ancient history, from the colourful customs of Chinese New Year to understanding historic objects.

Who is it for?

Join us here if you have completed the beyond beginners syllabus or have studied formally for around 120 hours. See the eligibility section to find out more.

Timetable

The course includes 60 hours of learning and is taught across three terms, starting in October and finishing in July.

October – December (Part 1)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Christmas Break

January – March (Part 2)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Easter break

April/May – July (Part 3)

One evening per week (two-hour lessons) for 10 consecutive weeks.

Benefits

• Signing up to the full syllabus is cheaper than paying for each part separately
• You’ll develop momentum over the three terms and make friends with your fellow learners
• Deepen your appreciation of Chinese culture and traditions
• Accessible virtual classes
• An ideal course for travel, business or to socialise with Mandarin speaking friends and family.

By the end of this course, you will be able to

• give information about the weather in different places
• discuss clothes for different weather and occasions
• interact with hosts
• room service
• discuss different rooms in the house with functions and descriptions
• understand Chinese New Year festival activities, food and customs
• give directions and information about modes of transport
• understand vocabulary for travel, including ticket types and payment systems
• ask and give directions with detailed information
• read menus and general business opening information
• understand topics such as online shopping, smart phone payment, dining out and green living
• understand hotel check-in procedures
• talk about room furniture and location and describe dimensions of rooms/objects
• make and respond to requests
• write comments about a hotel’s location, facilities and service
• ask and answer questions about rules and signs
• understand simple descriptions about historical periods and objects
• write about a historical period
• order food at a restaurant, and ask questions about different dishes
• ask for and give recommendations
• write a recipe
• bargain with sellers and ask for suggestions
• write about a shopping experience
• talk about a place of natural beauty through comparison and write about the scenery
• report a daily event with information and take questions.

Grammatical structures

• auxiliary word děi
• topic-comment sentences
• le as particle and auxiliary word
• express succession using jiù
• express similarities using A hé B chàbuduō”/ “yíyàng
• discuss comparisons using A bǐ/méi yǒu B + adjectives
• talk about future actions with yào/ huì
• express actions in progress using zhèngzài
• convey possession, existence or location with yǒu
• express adequacy with gòu bú gòu
• questions about size duō dà /cháng/kuān
• understand passive voice using bèi
• express a continuing action or state with zhe
• shì…de constructions.
• noun phrases with de
• giving instructions using imperatives
• bǎ sentences
• duplication of verbs
• yuè
• notional passive
• express result of an action with dào
• articulate percentages using bǎi fēn zhī
• sentence pattern chúle, yǐwài, hái
• use adverbs, adjectives and descriptive information in speaking and writing
• incorporate more connectives in speaking and writing.

You will be awarded an official City, University of London certificate on completion of the course if you attend over 70 per cent of the classes. The course is not formally accredited.

Your tutor will monitor your progress and give regular feedback, based on your homework and your involvement in class.

Teaching

This course takes a very active approach to learning – meaning there is lots of interaction with your teacher and fellow students. You’ll be challenged with questions, scenarios and problem solving to apply your learning.

Digital learning is an important aspect of our teaching. You will be able to access our online platform, Moodle, which hosts lesson content and other course materials, so you can continue learning outside in your free time. We also use audio clips and apps to help you practice your pronunciation.

If you have completed our beyond beginners syllabus or studied at another provider for around 120 hours, you can join us here.

We’d like you to have a solid grasp of Pinyin, understand rules on Chinese character formation and be able to write basic characters.

You should already be able to:

• discuss your daily routine
• talk about your profession
• talk about you friends and family
• use pronouns, prepositions and imperatives.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.