Course information

Level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

This course covers Integrated Chinese, Volume 1, Lessons 3 to 5, and is taught over ten weekly sessions of two hours per week.

This course aims to:

• introduce 108 vocabulary items
• cover the basics with simple, graded activities on essential topics such as dates and time, hobbies and visiting friends
• introduce essential grammatical structures
• concentrate on the four skills of language: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• discuss 108 vocabulary items and recognise around 145 Chinese characters
• tell and speak about time and dates, talk about their age and birthday
• invite someone to dinner and arrange a dinner date
• say and write the terms for basic personal hobbies, ask about someone’s hobbies
• ask friends out to see a movie, set up plans for the weekend
• introduce one person to another
• compliment someone on their house
• ask for beverages as a guest at someone else’s place, offer beverages to a visitor
• briefly describe a visit to a friends' place
• deliver a presentation introducing yourself - date of birth, family members, hobbies, and favourite food and drinks in Chinese, both orally and in written form.

• Dates and times – taking someone out to eat on his/her birthday and inviting someone to dinner
• Discussing hobbies, eg would you like to play ball?
• Visiting friends – visiting a friend’s home and at a friend’s house
• The adverbs还 (hái) and 才 (cái)
• The particles吧 (ba) and 了 (le)
• The conjunction 那么 (nàme)
• The modal verb 想 (xiǎng)
• The preposition 在 (zài)
• Numbers (0, 1–100)
• Dates and time
• Word order
• Alternative questions, affirmative + negative (A-not-A) questions, questions with 好吗 (hǎo ma)
• 去 (qù) + action
• Verb + object as a detachable compound
• 一下 (yí xià) and 一点儿 (yì diǎnr) moderating the tone of voice
• Adjectives as predicates

Suitable for A1 level students, those who have completed Chinese Mandarin 101 or who have completed 20 hours of recent tuition.

Delivered in the form of an interactive workshop where active participation is encouraged.

Both simplified and traditional character versions of the textbook and the two workbooks are available, however the simplified version will be taught in the classroom. You can also opt for the electronic version of materials.

While the textbook is required, the workbook and character workbook are optional.

All books are available in 3rd and 4th editions. If you already own a 3rd edition copy, you're welcome to use it. If not, please purchase the 4th edition.