Summer Mandarin Chinese courses

Our  fast-track Comprehensive Chinese courses, just like our regular Comprehensive courses, cater for students who wish to develop their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, but in a shorter amount of time.

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.

 

Beginner Chinese (HSK level 1)

Online: 18:00-19:30 Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday (three sessions per week, two sessions on weekday evenings, one session on Saturday morning), 25 June – 27 July 

(30 hours total)

Prerequisite: None

Online fees: £210

 

Course description

This course is suitable for beginners keen to develop basic conversational skills and understand 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. 

 

Learning outcomes

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

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 material

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

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

 

Post-beginner Chinese (HSK level 2)

Online: 18:00-19:30 Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday (three sessions per week, two sessions on weekday evenings, one session on Saturday morning), 25 June - 27 July

(30 hours total)

Prerequisite: Completion of our Comprehensive 1 course or 30 hours of intensive Chinese Beginner

Fees: £210

 

Course description

This course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. It 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. 

 

Learning outcomes

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

 By the end of this course, students should be able to attempt the HSK 2 Exam or CEFRL A2.

 

Learning materials

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

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

 

Intermediate Chinese 1 (HSK level 3.1) - This course is no longer running.

In person:  25 June – 25 July

18:00-19:30  Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday (three sessions per week, two sessions on weekday evenings, one session on Saturday morning)

(30 hours total)

Prerequisite: Completion of our Comprehensive 2 course or 60 hours of intensive Chinese Beginner and Post-beginner 

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 2022)

 

Course description

This intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The course covers making and discussing plans, making a phone call, seeing somebody off, shopping, talking about drinks, describing a person, talking about changes, looking for something which is missing, talking about the duration of doing something, comparison, etc.

 

Learning outcomes

• Have mastered a core vocabulary of 160 Chinese words used in everyday context and 25 language structures used in everyday context.
• 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. 

This course is between the HSK 2-3 exam or CEFRL A2-B1.

 

Learning materials

HSK 3 Standard Course Lessons  1-10, Beijing Language and Culture Press.

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

 

Intermediate Chinese 2 (HSK level 3.2) - This course is no longer running.

 

In-person:, 25 June – 27 July    

18:00-19:30 Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday (3 sessions per week, two sessions on weekday evenings, one session on Saturday morning)

(30 hours total)

Prerequisite: Completion of Comprehensive 3 or 4, or 90 hours of intensive Chinese 

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 2022)

 

Course description

This intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The course covers registering for a club/course; filling in a course application form; understanding about studying in China; making choices; offering a reasoned explanation for a choice; learning about exercise and health 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 in a post office; 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; writing a short note asking for leave; talking about differences and similarities; reading and writing Chinese letters; adverb + verb/adjective construction; writing a covering letter; writing a CV; talking about shopping and where to shop; understanding bargaining tips and practice; verb + complement construction; talking about sightseeing and trips; learning the difference between spoken and written styles and learning acronyms.

 

Learning outcomes

• Grasp at least 1,000 Chinese characters, 1,500 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 

This course is between the HSK 3-4 exam level or CEFRL B1-B2

 

Learning materials

HSK 3 Standard Course Lessons 11-20. Beijing Language and Culture Press.

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

 

Post-Intermediate Chinese 2 (HSK level 4.2)

 

In person:, 25 June – 27 July  

18:00-19:30  Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00-13:00 Saturday (three sessions per week, two sessions on weekday evenings, one session on Saturday morning)

(30 hours total)  

Prerequisite: Completion of Comprehensive 5 or 150 hours of intensive Chinese or passed HSK 3 test.

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 2022)

 

Course description

This post-intermediate course focuses on all four core language skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening.

The course covers talking about shopping, sale advertisements, talking about health & wellbeing, talking about beauty and a good mood in life, weight, successful experiences and standards of happiness. This course is for 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.

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

This course is for the HSK 4 or CEFRL B2 level. 

 

Learning materials

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

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

Our conversational courses are aimed at learners who want to prioritise speaking and listening. It is a great way to dip your toe in the water before learning to write characters. If you are going to China this Summer and want to pick up some survival Chinese, or you already know some words and phrases, and want to expand your vocabulary and practice, this series will be a great option for you.

Conversational Chinese 1 (HSK level 1)

In person: 18:00 – 20:00, Mondays and Wednesdays, 24 June - 24 July

Online: 10:00 - 12:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 25 June - 25 July - THIS COURSE IS NO LONGER RUNNING

(20 hours total)

Prerequisite: None

Online: £140

In-person: £160 full price / £144 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2022)

Course description

A beginners' course which focuses on developing the skills of listening and speaking in Mandarin Chinese. It aims to equip the students with useful words and phrases for practical use, and covers greetings, making an acquaintance, making an enquiry (time/ directions/ reservations), and fulfilling daily needs (purchasing items/catching buses/ordering food, etc).

Learning outcomes:

• Acquire the confidence and ability to have basic exchanges with native speakers to facilitate travel in China.
• Establish a core vocabulary of 150 Chinese words used in everyday contexts.

Learning materials

All teaching materials have been specifically developed by our teachers using a variety of sources and so all learning materials will be provided throughout the course.

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

 

Conversational Chinese 2 (between HSK level 1 and 2)

In person: 18:00 - 20:00, Mondays and Wednesdays, 24 June - 24 July

(20 hours total)

Prerequisite: Completion of Conversational Mandarin 1 or 20 hours intensive Mandarin.

Fees: £160 full price / £144 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2022)

Course description

A beginners' course which focuses on developing the skills of listening and speaking in Mandarin Chinese.

The course aims to equip students with useful words and phrases for practical use, and covers making requests in a cafe, enquiring about someone's nationality, making a request for help, asking for directions and places, discussing the menu and ordering dishes in a restaurant, making an appointment, asking for help in a shop, proposing a toast and giving a compliment.

Learning outcomes:

• Acquire the confidence and ability to have simple conversations with native speakers to facilitate travel and study in China.
• Have established a core vocabulary of 100 Chinese words used in everyday contexts.

Learning materials

All teaching materials have been specifically developed by our teachers using a variety of sources and so all learning materials will be provided throughout the course.

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

 

Conversational Chinese 3 (between HSK level 2 and 3)

In person: 18:00 - 20:00, Mondays and Wednesdays, 24 June - 24 July

(20 hours total)

Prerequisite: Completion of Conversational Mandarin 2 or 40 hours intensive Mandarin

Fees: £160 full price / £144 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2022)

Course description

This course focuses on developing the skills of listening and speaking in Mandarin Chinese. This course aims to equip students with useful words and phrases for practical use.

It will cover the following: making enquiries about someone's impression of a city, describing the weather, inquiring about someone's weekend plans, inquiring about someone's travel experience, asking for directions, exchanging money, checking out of a hotel, discussing taking a flight, talking about Chinese food and bargaining with merchants when shopping.

Learning outcomes:

• Learn to speak with a degree of fluency.
• Acquire the confidence and ability to have simple conversations with native speakers to facilitate travel and living in China.
• Establish a core vocabulary of 200 Chinese words used in everyday contexts and basic grammatical structures covered in the HSK 3 syllabus.

Learning materials

All teaching materials have been specifically designed by our teachers using a variety of sources and so all learning materials will be provided throughout the course.

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

 

Conversational Chinese 4 (HSK level 3)

In person: 18:00 - 20:00, Mondays and Wednesdays, 24 June - 24 July

(20 hours total)

Prerequisites: Completion of Conversational Mandarin 3 or 60 hours' intensive Mandarin

Fees: £160 full price / £144 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2022)

Course description

This course focuses on developing the skills of listening and speaking in Mandarin Chinese. This course aims to equip students with useful words and phrases for practical use. The course aims to equip students with 180 words for practical use.

It will cover: talking about holidays, restaurants/eating out, living location/direction, catching a deadline at work, watching children’s performances, working out/losing weight, museum, community activities, planning a trip, ideal partner, shopping online, my dream, etc.

Learning outcomes:

• Learn how to speak with a degree of fluency and acquire the confidence and ability to have a conversation with Chinese people.

Learning materials

All teaching materials have been specifically designed by us, so all learning materials will be provided throughout the course.
For an example of the course content view our course extract.

Our advanced level courses teach the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing. 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 HSK5

 

Online: 18:00 – 20:00 Tuesday,  25 June – 23 July

In person: 18:00 – 20:00 Wednesday, 26 June – 24 July

(10 hours total)

Prerequisite: 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.

Online fees: £70

In person fees: £80 full price/£72 for current University of Manchester staff and students OR returning CI students (must have taken a course with us since September 2022)

 

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 people’s 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. 

We recommend taking at least three semesters of this Advanced course to reach HSK level 5 

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. 

Learning materials

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.

Advanced Chinese HSK6

 

Online: 18:00 – 20:00 Tuesday 25 June – 23 July

(10 hours total)

Prerequisites: Students should have completed Advanced Mandarin (HSK level5) for three semesters or passed HSK level 5. They should already have a vocabulary of about 2500 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: £70

 

Course description

This is an advanced level language course which teaches the skills of reading, listening, speaking and writing in Mandarin Chinese. Aside from the main textbook, the teacher will also select articles and videos from various sources on Chinese people's daily life, social and cultural themes.

Emphasis will be placed on training students in understanding advanced words, sentences and passages and expressing opinions on social and cultural issues. Conversational practices will help you to communicate effectively and properly in different situations.

 

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 translate into English.
• Improve Chinese level to reach HSK 6 level after completing 8 semesters of the Advanced course. If a student wishes to take the HSK 6 Exam, we also recommend an HSK 6 Preparation Course to enhance exam skills and enhance knowledge of the exam syllabus.

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

 

Learning materials

Standard Course HSK 6 (cover  1-2 chapters), Beijing Language and Culture University Press.

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

This course is designed for learners who are specifically interested in Chinese characters. Students do not need to have any previous experience of Chinese learning but it will also suit those who have studied a little Chinese but want to reinforce their character learning.

Online: 18:00 - 20:00, Thursdays, 27 June - 25 July

Pre-requisite: None

Fees: £70

Course description

This course will cover basic Chinese strokes, the rules of word formation and the six traditional categories. It will also cover the common radicals of Chinese characters and their examples, the skill of using a Chinese dictionary and typing characters using a computer. The history of the evolution of Chinese characters and most characters from the HSK 1 syllabus (approximately 184 characters) will also be covered.