LfA - Chinese - Stage 4 - Upper Intermediate

Chinese Stage 4

A part-time evening accredited Chinese language course - 20 credit points (SCQF Level 8)

Tuesday  18:00-20:00

Course fee: £425

Course Description

Welcome to LfA Chinese Stage 4!

This module aims to enable you to communicate confidently in the Chinese (Mandarin) language in a range of social and transactional situations, and to increase awareness of language and cultural differences. Furthermore, the module's goal is to present you with the opportunity to increase your linguistic competence and confidence in the Chinese language. If you have previously taken our LfA Chinese Stage 3 module, you will find that this module helps you to expand from what you have learned and continue to develop the four skills of aurally understanding (listening), speaking, reading and writing. Many of the grammatical constructions introduced in Stage 3 will be repeated in this module with increasing sophistication in terms of style and usage.

 

What will you learn?

You will learn how to communicate adequately in spoken Chinese in a range of everyday situations and communicate successfully in the written language in a range of informal and formal situations (notes, letters, etc.), understanding the main points and specific details of aural and written messages. You will do further reading of expository writings on a range of cultural topics.

You will improve your recognition and use of further features of the grammatical system of Chinese and know how to use a bilingual dictionary independently. You will consolidate and extend your vocabulary, improve your pronunciation, and your ability to read and reproduce paragraph-level Chinese. You will recognise and use for comprehension purposes about 300 hanzi (Chinese characters), learn some transferrable presentation skills, and provide translations of simple texts into English.  A range of ‘repair strategies' will help you to overcome communication breakdowns.

By the end of this module, you will have improved your awareness of differences between the Chinese language and culture and your own and understand key aspects of the culture of China and its socio-cultural conventions.

 

What are some examples of the topics?

The topics of this module may include registering for a course or club; understanding about studying in China; making choices; offering explanations; exercise and health in China; expressing feelings of good fortune; understanding the banking industry in China; specifying essential conditions; taking about differences and similarities; talking about sightseeing and trips; traditional Chinese calendar; learning about acronyms; etc. Please note, that these topics are not entirely preset and vary depending on the students’ and tutor’s needs and preferences.

 

What is the language level of this module? 

LfA Chinese Stage 4 is matched against the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) and is ranked at SCQF Level 8. This is equivalent to the student effort required for studying during the second year at university.

 

Who can enrol in this module?

Members of the public, for example, teachers wanting to upgrade their employability and improve their language skills, existing University of Dundee (UoD) students, and UoD staff members are all invited to join this LfA module and continue learning Chinese for personal or professional reasons in a supportive adult environment. Interests must have sufficient pre-existing Chinese knowledge and skills to enrol. Please ensure you have checked this module is the right stage for you!

 

Is this stage suitable for me?

This stage is suitable for learners at upper intermediate level, who have a thorough grasp of the language and studied it for some considerable time. If you have a good, recent Higher/AS Level or a rusty A-level, or have attended adult education classes for some time, then this is the right stage for you. And, of course, it is the ideal follow-on module if you have completed our LfA Chinese Stage 3 module in (the) previous year(s).

Still unsure if this is the right stage? Check out our LfA Stage Guide to help you decide which stage is best for you. (And if you still get it wrong, don’t worry! You can change to a lower stage (if this is offered) within the first two weeks of the semester if need be.)

 

How long is this module? 

This is a year-long module, taking place over two semesters (11 weeks per semester, 22 in total). The class meets weekly for two teaching hours. In addition to that, students are recommended to invest 6-8 hours of studying per week in their own time.

 

Do classes take place online?

No, classes are face-to-face and take place on campus (usually in the Dalhousie Building). However, you are expected to regularly check our virtual learning environment (My Dundee), which we use to make announcements and communicate with the students, and where we provide most of the learning materials and resources.

 

What will the lessons be like? 

The lessons have a strong focus on small group discussions and partner work, to provide you with ample opportunity to practise what you learn, and revise what you have learned already. You may be asked to orally present your (home-)work or state your opinion in front of the whole class, practising your (public) speaking skills in particularly. We work with authentic resources whenever possible, such as listening to real conversations between native speakers or responding to live social media posts. Further grammar features will be introduced and practised to improve language skills and awareness and to quickly increase the range of topics you can talk about.

 

Is there homework to be done? 

Yes, you are provided with a range of revision and homework materials to consolidate your learning and extend your vocabulary. You receive feedback from your tutor on work handed in and then select the best pieces of work to submit as part of your ongoing written assessment.

 

Will there be a textbook? 

Yes, this module incorporates work with a textbook. The price of the textbook is not included in the course fee and must be paid extra by the student.

 

What about assessments? 

This module is assessed via continuous assessment over both semesters. It consists of a reading/writing portfolio (compiled over both semesters), a listening assessment (during the second semester), and the final oral presentation.

 

Is this an accredited module with a certificate?

Yes, students who successfully pass the assessments are awarded the University of Dundee Modern Languages Certificate and earn 20 credit points at SCQF Level 8.

Although not recommended, students may choose not to take part in assessments but are then only entitled to a Certificate of Attendance and 0 credit points, providing they have attended a minimum of 80% of the classes. There are no extra charges for the assessments or the certificates.

 

How do I sign up?

Click on ‘Book Course’ below and follow the instructions on the screen! We look forward to working with you!

 

Wait, I have a question! 

No problem! We are a dedicated and passionate language department at the University of Dundee and like to get to know our learners well, paying close attention to individual needs. If there are any concerns, or if you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch! 

 

For general and administrative questions:

LfA Administration Support – [email protected] 

LfA Coordinator: Maren Dralle – [email protected] 

 

For language-specific questions about module content and curriculum:

Course Tutor: Qingzhong Liang – [email protected]