Mandarin Level Proficiency

Revised November 2024

Prerequisite for entry

Successful completion of Mandarin syllabus level 5+ at UCL Centre for Languages & International Education, or a high A level grade (or equivalent).  

Term duration

10 x 2-hour classes.

Aims and objectives

The aim of the course is to enable students who command high level of Mandarin to practise their linguistic skills through a variety of activities (debates, games, discussions etc…). Students will be able to follow any debate, discussions or conversation as well as communicate in all situations at a near-native level. Cultural awareness will be further developed.

Functions

In this course students will have the chance to revise and perfect all previously studied functions.

Course content

Main topics/themes to be covered:

The content of this course will focus on reflections on the nature of contemporary society and current affairs, including an analysis of cultural dimension. The topic may include various current issues, depending on students’ interests.

Linguistic structures/ Phonetics

Recognising/understanding various accents

Grammar

Perfecting all grammar points previously studied

Learning resources

Books

• No course book
• Authentic materials from various sources (novels, newspapers, internet news articles etc…)

Reference Books

Yip Po-Ching, Don Rimmington. Chinese - A Comprehensive Grammar, Routledge. ISBN 978-0415150323

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.