Chinese (Mandarin) Upper-Intermediate Course

The course consists of three terms with 10 weeks each term. The course is designed to further develop to intermediate level the Chinese language competencies students have already acquired. 

Learners will deepen their understanding of Chinese grammar and vocabulary and become able to communicate with greater ease and fluency. 

Comprehension and communication skills are developed through customized HSK 4 standard short dialogues and articles which are very practical and relevant to current Chinese society. There will be aspects deep rooted in the rich ancient culture for students to learn, discuss and compare. 

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.

This will be achieved through 20 hours of blended learning: this is composed of 15 hours of online structured lessons with the teacher. This is supplemented by a minimum of 5 hours of guided independent learning supported by complementary material. The course objective will be achieved within the 10-week course.

Materials

Upper-Intermediate 1

Textbook: HSK Standard Course 4A, Author: Jiang Liping 
- ISBN-10‏: ‎9787561939031 
- ISBN-13: ‎978-7561939031 

Upper-Intermediate 2 & 3

Textbook: HSK Standard Course 4B, Author: Jiang Liping
- ISBN-10: 9787561939307 
- ISBN-13: 978-7561939307 

Course materials, if not supplied, are not included in the fee but can be purchased from SOAS bookshop bookshop@soas.ac.uk

We recommend waiting until your course is confirmed before purchasing materials.

Entry requirement and progression route

To be able to join Chinese Upper-Intermediate courses you need to have completed an Intermediate level course in Mandarin Chinese at SOAS Language Centre, or have an equivalent knowledge of guided learning hours (approximately 225 hours). The progression route from Chinese Upper=Intermediate 1 is to Chinese Upper-Intermediate 2; from Upper Intermediate 2 to Upper-Intermediate 3. Upon successful completion of Chinese Upper Intermediate 3 you will be able to progress to Pre-Advanced level course in Mandarin Chinese. 

Entry requirement for Upper-Intermediate 2

To be able to join Chinese Upper-Intermediate 2: you need to have either completed Upper-Intermediate 1 course in Mandarin Chinese at SOAS Language Centre, have an equivalent knowledge of guided learning hours (approximately 245 hours, mastered 800-900 Chinese characters), have already passed HSK 3 exam and are in preparation for HSK4 exam, or you have learnt all the grammar and language points up to the end of HSK Standard Course 4A book. Please refer to the Upper-Intermediate 1 topics in Structure section below to check whether you are comfortable discussing any of them at the placement assessment. The progression route from Chinese Upper-Intermediate 2 is to Upper-Intermediate 3. Upon successful completion of Chinese Upper-Intermediate 3 you will be able to progress to Pre-Advanced level course in Mandarin Chinese. 

Entry requirement for Upper-Intermediate 3

To be able to join Chinese Upper-Intermediate 3: you need to have either completed Upper-Intermediate 2 course in Mandarin Chinese at SOAS Language Centre, have an equivalent knowledge of guided learning hours (approximately 265 hours, mastered around 1000 Chinese characters), have already passed HSK 3 exam and are in preparation for HSK4 exam, or you have learnt all the grammar and language points up to half way of HSK Standard Course 4B book. 

Please refer to the Upper-Intermediate 2 topics in Structure section below to check whether you are comfortable discussing any of them at the placement assessment. Upon successful completion of Upper Intermediate 3 you will be able to progress to Pre-Advanced level course in Mandarin Chinese. 

Please note, that each term, courses are subject to quorum requirements.

For course dates and information, please see our timetables.