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Cantonese Lower Intermediate Course

Part of the range of Chinese language teaching courses and activites at SOAS Language Centre.

Duration:
Three terms, with twelve weeks per term

Mode of Attendance: Part Time

Description

Part of the range of Chinese language learning courses and activities at SOAS Language Centre in London.

The course is designed to further develop the language skills in Cantonese based on the beginners course and continues to concentrate on developing the listening, spoken and reading skills of the course participants. By the end of the course, participants should be able to communicate freely in everyday situations, describe some events, and express their own ideas and views while engaged in discussion on a limited range of topics. The course introduces a further 220 characters and about 400 words (compared to the beginners course) over 36 weeks.

Both Cantonese and English are used as the language of instruction in class. The course is very much practice based, focusing on listening and speaking, with a balance between communicative activities, structure practice, grammar and reading. Homework is set each week and there will be regular informal assessment and an end-of-term exercise towards the end of the first term

Course participants will learn about 10 characters per lesson and are expected to spend at least 2-3 hours each week outside the class on preparation, homework and revision. Class size is normally limited to fifteen to allow close involvement.

Entry requirements

Entry to the course is by assessment only. Applicants must contact the Language Centre to arrange for an assessment at least 3 weeks before the beginning of the term. Knowledge of basic Chinese grammar and approximately 600 characters is required.

Fee for this Course

The fee for each twelve-week term is £415 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

In the first term, the course uses a textbook, Cantonese (A Complete Course For Beginners) written by Hugh Baker, the former professor of Cantonese at SOAS. The second and the third term use the study packs prepared by the Cantonese Teacher.

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 a twelve-week period (with additional weeks where public holidays displace a class session). See our timetable pages for dates and times.