Language Centre
Chinese Beginners 1 Online - semi-intensive course August 2026
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Key information
Key information
- Duration
- 4 August – 3 September 2026
- Attendance mode
- Part-time, live online lessons/blended learning
Course overview
Chinese Beginners is a 5-week online course that aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of Mandarin Chinese and focuses on the acquisition of practical communicative skills.
It covers basic grammar and essential vocabulary, allowing participants to communicate in Chinese on a limited range of daily topics. Participants will have opportunities to learn to recognise and write simple Chinese characters. This course is delivered by the Language Centre.
Chinese Beginners 1 Online Semi-Intensive (44302) August 2026 timetable:
| Day | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 4 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 6 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 11 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 13 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 18 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 20 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 25 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 27 August | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Tuesday | 1 September | 7pm - 8:30pm |
| Thursday | 3 September | 7pm - 8:30pm |
Method
The course is taught in English and Chinese and includes coverage of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing and a good balance between understanding the systems of Chinese grammar and vocabulary, developing the skills of comprehending and producing Chinese in speech and writing, guided practice in language usage and use and authentic communicative activities.
The course is delivered through a blended learning model: comprised of 15 hours of live, online, structured lessons with the teacher, plus approximately 5 hours of guided independent learning supported by complementary materials (a total of 20 hours of blended learning). The course is designed so that, over the 10‑week period, you should have the opportunity to achieve the stated objectives, depending on your engagement and progress.
Materials
Chinese Beginners 1
HSK Standard Course 1 Textbook:
HSK Standard Course 1 - Textbook: Amazon.co.uk: Liping, Jiang: 9787561937099: Books
ISBN-13 : 978-7561937099
Course materials are not included in the fee. We strongly recommend waiting until your course is confirmed before purchasing the textbook.
Fees
- £299
Please see our course fees for full information and discounts available.
Structure
Chinese Beginners 1
By the end of the course you should be able to:
- greet and introduce yourself and others
- use basic polite expressions
- ask about names and nationalities
- talk about family members
- talk about languages you speak and other abilities
- go shopping for everyday items
- describe the location of different objects
- go shopping for everyday items
- talk about what you do for a living
The above is an indication of content that may be covered over the duration of the course but it could vary depending on the level and progress of students in the class.
Terms and conditions
Before applying, please be sure that you have read the SOAS Language Centre terms and conditions.
How to apply
Chinese Beginners 1 course is aimed at complete beginners, no previous knowledge is required.
Please note that places are first come first served. Enrolments are taken until the course is fully booked, or up to midnight 19 July, whichever is soonest.
Continuing your study
This semi-intensive Chinese Beginners 1 course is equivalent to the 10 week Chinese Beginners 1 course. Students who complete this course may be able to join Beginners 2 for our next term starting October 2026, or a future term at SOAS Language Centre.
