Chinese Language and Culture Level 1

Overview

The course provides Mandarin Chinese language tuition, which develops the ability to operate practically and effectively in the target language.

Language learning is integral to the ability to develop an international perspective on life and learning and enhances personal development and employability. The challenge of learning a language develops the empathy necessary for greater cultural and political awareness, which is a crucial aspect of being an educated ‘global citizen’.
This course emphasises the growing importance globally of the Chinese world through the study of the language.

Learners are exposed to listening and reading items to develop their understanding, and participate in speaking and writing activities designed to develop their fluency and accuracy in both media. The overall desired outcome is for learners to deal comfortably, confidently and competently at a basic level with the language required to cope effectively with a range of circumstances and situations.

Download course syllabus: SUM403E_Chinese_I_2022.pdf [PDF 76KB]

Course content is subject to change.

Course aims

The overall aims are for learners to develop a sound foundation in Mandarin Chinese alongside an ability to approach communication in the language in a confident and competent manner.

The first aim is for learners to move from no knowledge, or very rudimentary knowledge, to a basic but competent level in language occurring in everyday situations and to be able to understand and analyse basic texts, such as signs. In brief, the course lays a solid foundation from which the learner is able to progress to higher levels fairly independently and to provide the tools to be able to communicate in everyday situations relating to practical matters.

The second aim is develop learners’ ability to operate practically and effectively in the target language in each of the four main skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Learners are exposed to real language samples, both audio and textual, and have the opportunity to produce language through tasks designed to build confidence and competence at every stage. Both accuracy and fluency are valued, and so grammar and structure are an integral part of the course. These elements are not taught in isolation, but within an overall framework which trains learners to use appropriate grammar and structure for the specific language purpose and function required.

Teaching and learning

Learning outcomes

• To achieve effective communication in Mandarin Chinese with competent speakers of the language
• To exploit, for a variety of purposes, a range of materials, written and spoken, in Mandarin Chinese
• To demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the structures and registers of Mandarin Chinese
• To demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of Chinese culture and society gained through the study of basic written and aural texts and other cultural products in the target language.

You will be able to

• Analyse aspects of the target language and make use of them in a broadly professional context.
• Gather and process information related to Mandarin Chinese language and Chinese culture from a variety of paper, audiovisual and electronic sources and communicate this information, both orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate some ability as an independent learner of the language in order to take further the study of Mandarin Chinese language and Chinese culture.

Fees

The Queen Mary Summer School costs: £1,900 per session, which includes tuition and social programme. 

We offer a 10% discount to:

• Students and staff from partner institutions
• Alumni
• Current Queen Mary students 

Accommodation

The cost of accommodation is £877 per session. For further information, please visit our accommodation page.

Additional costs and course excursions

There may be additional costs for field trips, such as entry to exhibitions, which will be in the region of £30. All reading material will be provided online, so it is not necessary to purchase any books.

Please note there is no deposit payment required for the Queen Mary Summer School.

Entry requirements

To join our Summer School, you should have completed a minimum of two semesters’ study at your home institution.

We welcome Summer School students from around the world. We accept a range of qualifications:

• if your home institution uses the four-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale, we usually require a 3.0 GPA
• if your home institution uses the letter scale, you will need to have a B+

We welcome international qualifications and we consider every application individually on its academic merit.

English language requirements

All of our courses are taught and assessed in English. If English isn’t your first language, you must meet one of the following English Language requirements in order to join the Queen Mary Summer School:

• If you hold a degree from a majority English speaking country plus Canada you may use this degree to satisfy the English language requirements for entry, provided the degree was completed no more than 5 years before the start date of the course to which you are applying.
• IELTS, 7 overall or higher
• TOEFL Internet Based Test we require a minimum of 100 (L22; S25; R24; W27)
• UEE (University Entrance Exam) - 110
• CET 4 - 550 or CET 6 - 490
• PTE Academic 68
• Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English 185 70- grade C (old marking system)Applicants with an alternative qualification should check it is equivalent to the above or contact us at summerschool@qmul.ac.uk

How to apply

Have a question? Get in touch - one of the team will be happy to help!