Intensive Mandarin Summer School

This summer we are offering a range of Mandarin Chinese courses.

We have two programmes on offer for summer 2023; Fast-Track Mandarin Courses (eight levels) and an Advanced Mandarin Course. Our beginner, post-beginner, intermediate 1 and intermediate 2 Fast-Track Mandarin levels will have two options available, in-person on campus at UoM or online, with the remaining levels being held online online and Advanced Mandarin being held in-person only.

Fast-Track Mandarin Courses

Our Fast-Track Mandarin courses cater for students who wish to develop all four skills, i.e. reading, writing, speaking and listening. There are six levels available; beginner, post-beginner, intermediate 1, intermediate 2, post-intermediate 1 and post-intermediate 2.

You will be expected to commit to approximately 6-10 hours of self-study each week to ensure you can follow the pace of the course. Take time to read the course descriptions and decide on the right level for you before enrolling.

Please note that to access the 10% discount you must be a current University of Manchester staff or student OR have taken a course with Manchester Confucius Institute since September 2021. 

Beginner

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am – 1pm
(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

There are two different options for this course for students to choose from:

  • Classes held in-person on campus at UoM, OR
  • Classes held online via Zoom

Pre-requisite: None

Fees: £240 full price / £216 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This course is suitable for beginners keen to develop basic conversational skills in Chinese and understand basic Chinese characters. Whilst focusing on speaking and listening skills, the tutor will also help students to write and recognise basic Chinese characters. The course covers greetings; introductions; nationalities; professions; enquiring about the date; age and birthday; saying what you do and when; talking about likes and dislikes; what one should and shouldn’t do; favourites; ordering simple food and drink; family; expressing states; talking about the weather and seasons; making comparisons and giving suggestions; talking about going and coming somewhere to do something and methods of transport. By the end of this course, students should be able to attempt the HSK 1 Exam or the Common European Framework of References for Languages (CEFRL) A1.

Learning outcomes

Grasp 210 Chinese characters, 250 basic vocabulary elements and 30 basic grammatical structures at least
Conduct basic conversations in Chinese e.g. greetings, introductions, enquiries (time / restaurant / weather / direction)

Textbook: Chinese in Steps Volume.1 (Cypress Book Co. 2011)

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Post-Beginner

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm
(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

There are two different options for this course for students to choose from:

  • Classes held in-person on campus at UoM, OR
  • Classes held online via Zoom

and

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 5pm-8pm
(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total) 

Pre-requisite: Completion of our Comprehensive 1 course or 30 hours of intensive Chinese

Fees: £240 full price / £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This post-beginner course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers enquiring about location; giving directions; enquiring about price; bargaining; Chinese currency; telling the time; enquiring about opening/closing times; enquiring about timings and distances; more detailed directions; going to the doctors; expressing a change in state or condition; the contrast between past and present; asking about exchange rates and currencies; ask for and give specific information of a past action; express the length of an accomplished action; asking and saying how far one place is from another; comment on an action with a verb complement; use of verb complements of state and manner; use of duration expressed in a V-O construction; talk about currently continuous activities; talk about continuous activities in the past; talk about two concurrent activities; expressing disagreement indirectly; expressing the idea of “both…and…”; expressing an imminent future action; expressing past experiences, and expressing two consecutive actions in a sequence. By the end of this course, students should be able to attempt the HSK 2 Exam or CEFRL A2.

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 450 Chinese characters, 600 basic vocabulary and 45 basic grammar structures
Conduct increasingly complex conversations in Chinese

Textbook: Chinese in Steps Volume.2 (Cypress Books Co. 2011).

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Intermediate 1

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm
(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

  • Classes held in-person on campus at UoM, OR
  • Classes held online via Zoom

Pre-requisite: Completion of our Comprehensive 2 course or 60 hours of intensive Chinese

Fees: £240 full price / £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This pre-intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers passing on a message; how to apologise formally; using potential complements; expressing an action with a result; talking about Chinese restaurants and food; starting a conversation with a topical comment; expressing a prolonged state; active voice; passive voice 'ba' and 'bei' constructions; making a guess; describing an event; using the imperative; indicating the course of information; expressing the idea of "even more"; expressing the idea of "more and more"; filling in a Chinese registration form and discussing the weather. This course is between the HSK 2-3 exam or CEFRL A2-B1.

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 840 Chinese characters, 1000 words and 70 basic grammar structures.
Conduct increasingly complex conversations in Chinese and will also have more of an understanding of expressions of tense and the deeper functions of Chinese grammar.

Textbook: Chinese in Steps Volume.3 (Cypress Books Co. 2011)

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Intermediate 2

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am – 1pm
(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

  • Classes held in-person on campus at UoM, OR
  • Classes held online via Zoom

Pre-requisite: Completion of Comprehensive 3 or 4, or 90 hours of intensive Chinese

Fees: £240 full price / £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This intermediate course focuses on all four language skills; reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers registering for a club or course, filling in a course application form, understanding about studying in China, making choices, offering a reasoned explanation for a choice, learning about health and exercise in China, opening a bank account/applying for a credit card, expressing feelings of good fortune, understanding the banking industry in China, how to post parcels, specifying essential conditions, understanding the Chinese lunar calendar, getting your hair styled and commenting on appearance, using the verbal construction V + 'qilai', asking someone to pass on a sick leave message, talking about differences and similarities, reading and writing Chinese letters, adverb + verb/adjective construction, writing a covering letter & CV, talking about shopping and where to shop, understanding bargaining tips & practice, verb & complement construction, talking about sightseeing & trips, learning the difference between spoken and written styles and learning acronyms. This course is between the HSK 3-4 exam level or CEFRL B1-B2

Learning outcomes

  • Grasp at least 1000 Chinese characters, 1500 words and 90 grammar structures. 
  • Conduct increasingly complex conversations in Chinese and will also have more of an understanding of expressions of tense and the deeper functions of Chinese grammar. 

Textbook: Chinese in Steps Vol 4 (Cypress Books Co. 2005) For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Post-Intermediate 1 

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm

(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

This course will be delivered online via Zoom.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Comprehensive 4, or 120 hours of intensive Chinese/passed the HSK 3 exam

Fees: £240 full price/ £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This post-intermediate course focuses on all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers talking about partners, love and marriage, talking about friends and party arrangements, interviews and work. This course is for the HSK 4 or CEFRL B2 level. After completing the Comprehensive Mandarin levels 5-8 (the whole two volumes), students should be ready to take the HSK 4 exam.

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 120 words and 11 key grammar strictures. Conduct complex conversations and narrations in Chinese and understand the deeper functions of Chinese grammar.

Textbook: Chapter 1-5, HSK 4 Standard Course (Volume A/上), Beijing Language and Culture Universities Press

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Post-Intermediate 2 

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm

(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

This course will be delivered online via Zoom.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Comprehensive 5, 150 hours of intensive Chinese OR passed the HSK 3 exam

Fees: £240 full price/ £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This post-intermediate course focuses on all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers talking about shopping, sales advertisements, talking about health & wellbeing, talking about beauty and a good mood in life, weight, successful experiences and standards of happiness. This course is at the HSK 4 or CEFRL B2 level. After completing the Comprehensive Mandarin levels 5-8, students should be able to take the HSK 4 exam. 

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 160 words and 25 key grammar structures. Conduct complex conversations and narrations in Chinese and understand deeper functions of Chinese grammar.

Textbook: Chapter 6-10 HSK 4 Standard Course (Volume A), Beijing Language and Culture Universities Press

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Post-Intermediate 3

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm

(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

This course will be delivered online via Zoom.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Comprehensive 6 or 190 hours of intensive Chinese or passed HSK 3 test.

Fee: £240 full price/ £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This post-intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers talking about cultural activities, environment protection, children education, rejection, the nature, etc. This course is for the HSK 4 or CEFRL B2 level. After completing Comprehesive Mandarin levels 5-8 students should be able to take the HSK 4 exam.

We recommend that 3 hours of independent study are undertaken each week to ensure students are able to keep up with the pace of the course.

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 160 words and 25 key grammar structures. Conduct complex conversations and narrations in Chinese and understand deeper functions of Chinese grammar.

Textbook: Chapter 11-15, HSK 4 Standard course (Volume B/下 ), Beijing Language and Culture Universities Press.

Post-Intermediate 4

5 - 26 July 2023

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am - 1pm

(10 lessons over 3.3 weeks, 30 hours total)

This course will be delivered online via Zoom.

Pre-requisite: Completion of Comprehensive 7 or 210 hours of intensive Chinese or passed HSK 3 test.

Fee: £240 full price/ £216 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This post-intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The course covers talking about rejection, humans and nature, science and technology, taste of life, travelling, etc. This course is for the HSK 4 or CEFRL B2 level. After completing Comprehensive Mandarin levels 5-8 students should be able to take the HSK 4 exam.

We recommend that 3 hours of independent study are undertaken each week to ensure students are able to keep up with the pace of the course.

Learning outcomes

Grasp at least 160 words and 25 key grammar structures. Conduct complex conversations and narrations in Chinese and understand deeper functions of Chinese grammar.

Textbook: Chapter 16-20, HSK 4 Standard course (Volume B/下 ), Beijing Language and Culture Universities Press.

Advanced Mandarin Courses

This is an advanced-level language course which teaches the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing in Mandarin Chinese. 

You will be expected to commit to approximately 3 hours of self-study each week to ensure you can follow the pace of the course.

 

Advanced Mandarin (HSK 5)

5 - 26 July 2023

Saturdays 10am - 12pm

(4 week course)

This course will be held in-person on campus at UoM

Pre-requisite: Students should have passed HSK level 4, or have taken 240 hours of Mandarin. They should already have a vocabulary of about 1200 words and have mastered basic grammar knowledge, are able to communicate with native speakers in everyday situations, read and talk about some short passages on social and cultural topics.

Fees: £64 full price / £58 for University of Manchester staff and students OR for returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2021)

Course description

This is an advanced level language course which teaches the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing in Mandarin Chinese. Emphasis will be placed on training students in understanding complex grammar, sentences and passages and expressing opinions on social and cultural issues. Conversational practices will help you to communicate effectively and properly in different situations. Aside from the main textbook, the teacher will also select articles and videos from various sources on Chinese peoples daily life, social and cultural themes. 

Learning outcomes

Express complex ideas in Chinese with a degree of fluency and develop competence in interaction with native speakers. Have developed a vocabulary of 100 Chinese words and use them with a degree of proficiency. Read and write complex sentences and articles, as well as translation. Improve Chinese level to reach HSK Grade 5 level step by step. We recommend taking 3 semesters of this Advanced course to reach this level. If a student wishes to take the HSK 5 exam, we also recommend the HSK 5 Preparation Course to enhance knowledge of the exam syllabus and skills.

Textbook: New Practical Chinese Reader (Volume 5) (covers 1 chapter & reading and discussion of news articles)

For an example of the course content view our textbook extract.

Please email our senior language tutor (luxi.yang@manchester.ac.uk) if you have any queries about this.

HSK Preparation Courses

We will not be running and HSK Preparation Courses this Summer.

As we are an official HSK test centre, we also run tailor-made HSK Preparation Courses. These are designed to help students prepare for their HSK exams, with courses available for levels 3, 4 and 5.

You will be expected to commit to approximately 6-10 hours of self-study each week to ensure you can follow the pace of the course.

HSK Level 3 Preparation Course 

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm
(5 weeks)

Pre-requisite: Students should have passed HSK Level 2; have completed at least 90 hours of Mandarin learning, including 60% of the HSK 3 content learning and be keen to further improve their Chinese proficiency level.

Fees: £160 full price / £150 for University of Manchester staff and students / £128 for returning students

Course description

This course will cover an introduction to the HSK exam structure, HSK 3 vocabulary lists, a range of topics covered in HSK 3, as well as grammar and sentence structure. The tutor will work through several past exam papers with the students in order to improve their exam confidence alongside their listening, reading and writing skills. Textbook recommendation (the teacher will use some part of it) HSK 3 standard course. Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Learning outcomes

Recognise 600 words in Chinese, understand 20 grammar structures, master 17 daily conversation topics and be well prepared to take the HSK 3 examination.

We advise that if you are new to most HSK level 3 content that you take the Comprehensive level 3 and 4 courses, or our summer intermediate level Fast-Track Mandarin course to prepare you for the HSK 3 exam.

HSK Level 4 Preparation Course

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm
(5 weeks)

Pre-requisite: Students should have passed HSK 3 and have completed at least 200 hours of Mandarin learning including 70% of HSK 4 content learning. Alternatively, students should have completed the Comprehensive courses level 6 and be keen to further improve their Chinese proficiency level and pass the HSK 4 Exam.

Fees: £160 full price / £150 for University of Manchester staff and students / £128 for returning students

Course description

This 5-week intensive course will focus on introducing the HSK exam structure, exam techniques and skills, revision of HSK 4 vocabulary lists as well as focussing on carefully selected key grammar and sentence structure. The tutor will work through several past exam papers with students both in and outside of the classroom with a focus on improving exam confidence alongside listening, reading and writing skills. Textbook recommendation: HSK 4 Standard Course, Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Learning outcomes

Recognise 1200 words in Chinese, understand 40 grammar structures, be able to interpret inferred information, recognise synonyms and antonyms and be well prepared to take the HSK 4 examination. 

We advise that if you are new to most HSK level 4 content that you take the Comprehensive level 5 and 6 courses, or our summer post-intermediate level Fast-Track Mandarin course to prepare you for the HSK 4 exam.

HSK Level 5 Preparation Course

Tuesdays and Thursdays 6-8pm
(5 weeks)

Pre-requisite: Students should have passed HSK Level 4; and have completed 340 hours of Mandarin learning in total including at least 60 hours of the Advanced Chinese course at HSK 5 Level. Students can also have the equivalent learning experience and be keen to further improve their Chinese proficiency level.

Fees: £160 full price / £150 for University of Manchester staff and students / £128 for returning students

Course description

This course will cover an introduction to the HSK exam structure, HSK 5 vocabulary lists (mainly revision), a range of topics covered in the HSK 5 exam as well as key grammar and sentence structures. The tutor will work through several past exam papers with students in order to improve their exam confidence alongside their listening, reading and writing skills. Textbook recommendation (the teacher will use some part of it) HSK 5 standard course (2 volumes). Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

Learning outcome

To recognise 2500 words, understand 32 grammar structures, be able to interpret inferred information, recognise synonyms and antonyms and be well prepared to take the HSK 5 examination. 

We advise that if you are new to most HSK level 5 content that you take the Advanced Mandarin HSK 4-5 Course first to prepare you for the basics of the HSK 5 exam.

All of our summer courses will be offered online using Zoom, with instructions provided to all students, and e-slides sent before each lesson. Our Fast-Track Mandarin beginner and post-beginner levels also have an in-person option available with classes held on campus at The University of Manchester. To ensure an interactive learning experience, class sizes are kept to a small number for all of our courses. 

 

How to book

Registration is now open. All applications should be made via the enrolment section of our website. Once you have submitted an application, we will get in touch with instructions on how to proceed.

Please note we do require a minimum number of students to enrol in order for a course to go ahead. If this number is not met we will be in touch to discuss alternative options.

For any queries please contact confucius@manchester.ac.uk