UK, Beginners Mandarin Chinese: Intensive courses for teachers
- Are you a teacher who is looking to teach Mandarin in your school in the future, but don’t yet speak the language?
- Perhaps you are non-Chinese teacher, accompanying students from your school on a trip to China but would like to learn some basic Mandarin?
Why not look at the following courses designed with beginners in mind:
Open University
OU courses can be taken from home and students are assessed with a series of tutor marked assessments (TMAs). The OU’s L197 course 第一步 Dì yī bù: beginners’ Chinese will give you the skills you need to speak and understand simple Chinese (Mandarin) in everyday contexts. No previous knowledge of Chinese is required. This key introductory Level 1 course will take you through a wide range of practical situations such as socialising, shopping and getting around. We’ll send you printed and audio materials, and you’ll have a dedicated website, all of which support independent learning. And while you’re learning the language you’ll explore aspects of Chinese society and culture, which will give you a real feel for the Chinese way of life. The course starts in September and lasts for a year.
University of Manchester
The University will be running an intensive summer Mandarin course as follows:
Course details
• Monday to Friday, 10am - 5pm
• 60 contact hours in total
Mornings will consist of three hours of classroom-based learning and afternoons will consist of a further three hours for learning Chinese characters, language exercises and one-to-one oral practice.
In addition there will be HSK level 1 mock exam and well as a 'graduation' ceremony. These will take place on 7th July (beginners) and 21st July (intermediate) respectively.
For a sample timetable please see here.
*For those who would like to learn or practice Chinese Characters you could join the course for one hour each day, for both Beginner characters and Intermediate characters the fees are £60 each.
Beginner: 25th June to 7th July 2012
This course is suitable for beginners who have no Chinese learning experience or with little Chinese. A-level students, university students, teachers and professionals. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. There will be sufficient drill practice and interactive language exercises to ensure that your grasp of the language is greatly improved in a short period.
Intermediate: 9th July to 21st July 2012
This course is suitable for learners who have completed the intensive beginner's course or Step One or have had 40 hours or more of Chinese language lessons.
You will have the opportunity to develop your skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing. There will be sufficient drill practice and interactive language exercises.
If you are in need of accommodation, the University of Manchester Halls of Residence has single rooms available from £13.50 per night. For more information please check here.
How to book
Please complete the enrolment form and payment form (or a cheque payable to The University of Manchester) by 22 June 2012 and post to the following address:
Confucius Institute at the University of Manchester Samuel Alexander Building , 3rd floor South Wing The University of Manchester Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL
For any queries please email Spring Zhang at confuciusinstitute [at] manchester [dot] ac [dot] uk or call 0161 275 3698/8667
Fees: £360 per course/ £330 for University of Manchester staff and students
£50 discount for students wishing to enroll on both courses.
Textbook
Beginner: Chinese in Steps Volume 1 (edited by George X Zhang, Cypress Book Co. UK Ltd. 2005)
Post- Beginner: Chinese in Steps Volume 2 (edited by George X Zhang, Cypress Book Co. UK Ltd. 2005)
LSE: Mandarin for Beginners in July
London School for Economics (LSE) is running a short introductory course for beginners. No previous knowledge of Mandarin is required. The classes take place in the LSE in July in the evenings.
SOAS: Summer, Weekday and Saturday courses
SOAS Language Centre in London provides weekday daytime, evening and Saturday language tuition in Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien, for mother-tongue and non-mother-tongue speakers. SOAS Language Centre operates the largest non-degree Chinese language programme in the UK. A beginners course will take place over the summer for one week and and weekday evening and Saturday daytime course as follows:
Summer Intensive Course
In Weekday Evening Courses and Saturday Daytime Courses
• Beginners Mandarin A: one class session per week
• Beginners Mandarin B: two class sessions per week
• Beginners Mandarin for Cantonese Speakers
• Lower Intermediate Mandarin A: one class session per week
• Lower Intermediate Mandarin B: two class sessions per week
For more detail information visit SOAS’s website.