Mandarin level 2

Revised November 2024

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of Mandarin Syllabus Level 1+ at UCL Centre for Languages & International Education or a low GCSE grade (or equivalent).

Term duration

10 x 2-hour classes.

Aims and objectives

The course aims to give students the opportunity to revise their knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and to acquire more sophisticated ways of dealing with practical matters. This includes revision and consolidation of Chinese characters, vocabulary, sentence structure and pronunciation. Cultural awareness will be developed.

Functions

• Asking and giving directions
• Talking about types of transport
• Describing one’s recreational activities
• Asking and answering questions about holiday plans

Course content

Main topics/themes:

• Locations
• Advertisements
• Transportation
• Sports
• Likes and dislikes
• Holiday plans

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

• Retroflex “r”
• Difference between “q” and “ch”
• Difference between “zh” and “ch”
• Sentence intonation

Grammar

• Expressing existence using 有
• Making questions using 有没有
• Expressing locations with the verb 在
• Directions, places and types of students housing
• Alternative questions with 还是
• Questions ending with 好吗
• Expressing superlatives with 最
• Using the particle 吧
• Modes of transport and holiday activities
• Using modal verbs 可以and会
• Pivotal sentences
• Talking about past actions with 过
• Types of sports, abilities
• Expressing alternatives using 或者 and 还是
• Expressing regular events with 每……都…
• Cities in China, holiday activities

Learning resources

Books

Discover China: Student's Book One, edited by Chen Xin, Jing Lili , Macmillan
Chapters 9-12
London: Macmillan. ISBN: 9780230405950

Bilingual Dictionaries

• Oxford Concise English Chinese/Chinese English Dictionary

Websites

Dictionary

In addition there are supplementary materials for self-study in the Self-Access Centre.