Chinese Elementary Step 1 (online, Tues & Thurs)

This online course is for learners with prior knowledge of Chinese at the beginner level. It is the first of four progressive steps leading to learners’ elementary proficiency level in Chinese. In this course, you will continue to expand your vocabulary and grammatical knowledge. You will learn how to talk about past and present actions and introduce your pets.  

There are 2 classes per week, each lasting 1 hour, spread across 10 consecutive weeks. Through online interactive activities, you will further develop your listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Online class activities held on Teams include short recitations, small-group role-plays, responses to short texts, listening to dialogue, and handwriting and typing practice. Cultural elements are integrated throughout the course to help you explore Chinese-speaking communities, everyday customs and social interactions. Further learning materials are available on the learning platform of Canvas.

You will need to buy a textbook (see below), and you will also need access to a computer equipped with a camera and microphone, a headset or earphones and a reliable internet connection.   

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

•    Discuss your past travel and living experiences.  •    Interact in conversations about likes and dislikes, and pets.•    Describe symptoms and discuss health concerns with a doctor.•    Express your academic interests.•    Demonstrate your understanding of Chinese culture and society, including natural and cultural heritage, customs, and the Chinese healthcare system.

The above list is indicative and may be subject to change.

You will need to buy the following textbook from CypressBooks using the link HERE. The required textbook covers the three steps of our Chinese Beginners course.  

Wu. Z., (2023). New Contemporary Chinese 2. Beijing: Sinolingua. 

This course is the first step on our elementary level and is open to anyone who has completed Chinese Beginners Step 3 or equivalent. If you have previously learned Chinese or have some knowledge and are unsure of your level, please reach out to the Confucius Institute for Scotland to arrange an assessment.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+. Learners under the age of 16, with a minimum age of 14, are also welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent/guardian throughout the class.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy. Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services.

You need to have completed Chinese Beginners Step 3 or equivalent. If you are unsure of your level, please reach out to the Confucius Institute for Scotland to arrange an assessment. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website to access the course learning platform.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.