Mandarin level 4

Revised November 2024

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of Mandarin syllabus level 3+ at UCL Centre for Languages & International Education or a low A level grade (or equivalent).  

Term duration

10 x 2-hour classes.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to help students with a solid knowledge of Mandarin to advance to an upper-intermediate level. By the end of the course, students will be able to navigate their academic lives in Chinese contexts, including selecting elective courses and interacting effectively with lecturers, peers, and librarians to address challenges in their studies. They will also acquire the skills to consult on course materials and gain knowledge of Chinese history, enabling them to confidently discuss historical figures relevant to their courses.

Functions

• Expressing one’s opinions and give reasons
• Giving explanations and justifying the reasons with examples
• Inviting options and comments
• Expressing preference and suggesting alternatives
• Being critical and being able to summarise options
• Expressing location

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

• Choosing a selective course
• Finding reference books in the library
• Assignment submission deadline and peer discussion
• Selecting an assignment topic

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

How to read complex sentences

Grammar

• Expressing complex reasons by using 再说，而且
• Resultative complement
• Contrast structure: 不是……, 而是….
• Expressing reason and purpose: 为了， 由于

Learning resources

Books

Discover China: Student's Book Three, edited by Chen Xin, Jing Lili , Macmillan. Chapters 1-4                   
ISBN: 9780230406414

Discover China: Workbook Three, Chapters 1-4
ISBN: 9780230406421

Bilingual Dictionaries

• Langenscheidt's Pocket Dictionary Chinese/English English/Chinese
• Macmillan-FLTRP Chinese Character Dictionary
• Oxford Beginners’ dictionary

Websites

Dictionary

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