Beginners Course in Mandarin for Cantonese Speakers
Part of the range of Chinese language teaching courses and activities at SOAS Language Centre in London
Duration:
One year of three twelve-week terms.
Mode of Attendance: Part Time
Description
The course aims to develop participants’ competence in understanding and speaking Mandarin (putonghua). This course is devised specifically for students who are Cantonese speakers and familiar with Chinese characters (able to read newspaper articles).
Term 1 of the course concentrates on pronunciation and basic sentence structure using Hanyu Pinyin to enable students to learn standard Mandarin. Basic dialogue and vocabulary will be introduced. The focus will shift to vocabulary and discussion in Mandarin in the following two terms. The core textbooks are A New Course in Mandarin Chinese - Elementary and Intermediate with books and CDs by San Lian Publications. The textbooks are specially compiled to help Cantonese speakers to learn to communicate in Mandarin.
Class size is normally limited to fifteen to enable optimum student participation.
Assessments for Course Placement
Not a total beginner? See our page on course assessments.
Fee for this Course
The fee for each twelve-week term is £350 payable in advance.
Terms and Conditions
See our terms and conditions of payment before enrolling on the course.
How to Apply for this Course
You can apply and pay online or by post.
Classes may fill up quickly. In some cases, additional classes are set up. It is best to apply early in order to avoid disappointment.
Materials
Our course materials page shows you what you need to buy for this course. Course materials are not included in the course fee and can be purchased from the SOAS bookshop bookshop@soas.ac.uk
Timetable
Classes will be held at the Bloomsbury or Kings Cross Campus of SOAS in central London on one evening a week or Saturday daytime. Participants receive 24 hours of language tuition over each twelve-week period (with additional weeks where public holidays displace a class session). See our timetable pages for dates and times.
