Mandarin language for adults | 谢大孔院成人部

"Chinese for Everyone" provides comprehensive Mandarin language courses tailored for adult learners of all levels, catering to university students, staff, and the general public. These non-university-accredited courses offer the option to attend either in-person or online.

Mandarin for adults
"Chinese for Everyone" Mandarin Language class
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12-Week Mandarin Language Courses- "Chinese for Everyone"

12-Week Mandarin language courses offer a comprehensive learning journey, catering to individuals at each proficiency level- from beginners to advanced learners. Whether you are taking your first steps in Mandarin or aiming to refine your advanced language skills, our courses are designed to meet your specific needs.

Taught by professional Mandarin Teachers and following the University semester dates (Week 1 to Week 12, Autumn and Spring Semesters), each course is held on Monday or Tuesday evenings. Additionally, there are optional and supplementary Chinese Tutorial sessions every Wednesday evening, which are complimentary, free to attend. All courses are delivered in a hybrid format, providing flexibility for your learning preferences. You can choose to attend either in-person or online.

In-Person: Bartolome House, School of Law, University of Sheffield, Winter Street, S3 7ND

Online: University Google Meet or Zoom.

Course Fees:

  •  £140, standard.
  •  £120, concession for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students.

The upcoming courses are scheduled for Spring Semester 2024, running from 5 February 2024 - 17 May 2024, excluding Easter holidays (25th March - 14th April). 

Time: Weekday evenings, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.

Download Mandarin Language Course Timetable, Spring Semester 2024, pdf, 151KB.

Register "12-Week Mandarin" at the University Online Shop.

Please note: Classes are subject to a minimum of 5 registrations.

* Survival Chinese Course (Mandatory for Beginners 1) 

Description: This Survival Chinese course is a prerequisite for Beginners 1 (but it is also available as a standalone option). Immerse yourself in this essential language learning experience tailored for real-life situations.

  • Designed as an intensive 10-hour crash course, it caters to learners with little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin.
  • Offered twice a year, it is held just before the 12-week courses start. 

Course materials: The course features a flavourful introduction to the Mandarin language, covering essential words and phrases for everyday encounters such as greetings, buying and bargaining, getting to places, finding accommodation, ordering food, and self-expression. The course uses "New Experience Chinese," developed by the CI, and handouts will be provided.

Course Duration: The upcoming Survival Chinese course will take place from 29th January - 2nd February 2024. It spans one week, Monday to Friday (6:30pm – 8:30pm), totalling 10 contact hours. 

Course Fee: 

  • Free if you choose to proceed with one of the 12-week Mandarin courses.
  • If you exclusively wish to enrol in the Survival Chinese Course without proceeding to the 12-week "Chinese for Everyone," the course is priced at £70 (standard) or £60 (concession for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students). See below. 
Beginners Mandarin I and II

Description: These courses aim to establish a robust foundation in all four language skills- speaking, listening, reading, and writing, for absolute beginners. By the conclusion of the courses, students should be capable of recognising approximately 160 Chinese vocabularies, reading simple short texts in Chinese, and have the option to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 1.

Course Materials: The required textbooks is HSK1 Standard Textbook and HSK Exercise Book 1.

Entry Requirements: No prior Mandarin knowledge is required. However, beginners are mandated to complete the Survival Chinese Crash course before the start of week 1, establishing an initial foundation for the course.

Elementary Mandarin I and II

Description: Building upon the foundation laid in Beginners Mandarin, these courses are designed as a continuation for Mandarin beginners. Their objectives are to furnish students with a solid grounding in all four language skills. By the culmination of the course, students should be capable of recognising approximately 170 new Chinese vocabularies, reading simple sentences in Chinese, and achieving readiness for the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 2.

Course Materials: The required textbooks are the HSK2 Standard Textbook and HSK Exercise Book 2.

Entry Requirements: Prospective students must successfully completed the preceding Beginners 1 and 2 courses, or possess a foundational understanding of Mandarin, equivalent to approximately 40 hours of prior study. 

Pre-Intermediate Mandarin I and II

Description:  These courses are designed to enhance students' communicative competence in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. By the conclusion of the courses, participants should be capable of recognising approximately 300 new Chinese vocabularies. Furthermore, they will be able to initiate routine communications by constructing sentences with a broader range of grammatical structures. Students may choose to attempt the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 3 and the Proficiency Speaking Test (Primary HSKK) if desired.

Course Materials: The required textbooks are the HSK3 Standard Textbook and HSK Exercise Book 3.

Entry Requirements: Prospective students must successfully completed the preceding Elementary 1 and 2 courses, or possess an understanding of Mandarin, equivalent to approximately 80 hours of prior study. 

Intermediate Mandarin I and II

Description: These courses are crafted to elevate students' language proficiency for application in work, study, and daily life. Students will be introduced to an additional 600 new vocabularies. By the course's conclusion, students should adeptly discuss a broad spectrum of daily activities in Chinese, describe events, and express their ideas and views during discussions on a limited range of topics. It is recommended for students to attempt the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 4 and the Proficiency Speaking Test (Elementary HSKK).

Course Materials: The required textbooks are HSK4, part 1 and HSK4, part 2, along with their corresponding Exercise Books.

Entry Requirements: Assumes familiarity with the major grammar structures of Chinese and knowledge of at least 600 Chinese vocabularies. 

Advanced Mandarin

Description: The Advanced Mandarin course is tailored for individuals seeking a high level of proficiency in the Chinese language. Emphasizing advanced language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking, this course aims to equip students with the linguistic tools necessary for complex communication in various contexts. By the end of the course, students are expected to command an extensive vocabulary and demonstrate a nuanced understanding of Chinese grammar.

Course Materials: The required textbooks are HSK5, part 1 and HSK5, part 2, along with their corresponding Exercise Books.

Entry Requirements: Participants are required to have successfully completed the Intermediate Mandarin II course or demonstrate equivalent proficiency through prior study. A solid grasp of advanced grammar structures, a vocabulary base of at least 1,200 Chinese characters, and the ability to engage in complex conversations are assumed.

* Complimentary Courses on Wednesday Evenings

Join our FREE courses on Wednesday evenings, taking advantage of these complimentary courses to further enhance your Mandarin language skills, available to those who meet the following criteria:

1. Individuals registered in any of the "Chinese for Everyone" Courses;

2. Students at the School of East Asian Studies, University of Sheffield- students taking all China-related degree Studies, as well as students taking "Non-Specialist Chinese modules";

3. Recent HSK/HSKK Chinese Proficiency Test Takers at the Sheffield Confucius Institute.

Complimentary Courses Offered:

  • Beginners 1
  • Beginners 2
  • Elementary
  • Pre-Intermediate
  • Intermediate
  • Advanced

Course Materials: Our dedicated teachers will provide comprehensive course materials, encompassing relevant topics and authentic materials, including "Chinese in Steps" course materials, HSK course materials, current news and media. These resources are carefully curated to enhance language skills at each proficiency level. Join us for these complimentary courses, and let our engaging materials contribute to your Mandarin language journey.

Registration: To attend, please register your interest by completing a Google Form


 12-Week Mandarin Language Courses, FAQ

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for "12-Week Mandarin Courses" is created to provide you with comprehensive information. Our FAQ page covers various topics, including:

  1. Course Structure
  2. Textbook Acquisition
  3. Course Attendance Certification
  4. Internationally Recognised Certification: Discover options for taking the HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi) test, an internationally recognised Chinese language proficiency exam, and how it relates to our courses.
  5. Sino-English Language and Cultural Club for social learning and unique experiences.

If you do not find the information you are looking for, feel free to reach out to our team for personalised assistance.


 Survival Chinese (standalone course)

The Survival Chinese Course is designed as an intensive 10-hour crash course, catering to learners with little or no prior knowledge of Mandarin. Immerse yourself in this essential language learning experience tailored for real-life situations.

Delve into a flavourful introduction to Mandarin, encompassing crucial words and phrases for everyday encounters, including greetings, buying and bargaining, navigating places, finding accommodation, ordering food, and self-expression. The course uses "New Experience Chinese," developed by the CI, and comprehensive handouts will be provided.

Offered twice a year, the course is held just before the 12-week Mandarin courses start, i.e. one week before the Week 1, university semesters. 

The upcoming Survival Chinese course is scheduled from January 29th to February 2nd, 2024. It spans one week, Monday to Friday (6:30 pm – 8:30 pm), totalling 10 contact hours.

You can choose to attend either in-person or online.

In-Person: Bartolome House, School of Law, University of Sheffield, Winter Street, S3 7ND

Online: University Google Meet or Zoom.

Course Fees: If you exclusively wish to enrol in the Survival Chinese Course without proceeding to the 12-week "Chinese for Everyone," the course is priced at:

  • £70 (standard) 
  • £60 (concession for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students).

Please note: The course is free if you choose to proceed with one of the 12-week Mandarin courses.

Register "Survival Chinese" at the University Online Shop 


One-to-one Private Mandarin Course

Tailored to meet individual learning objectives, our one-to-one private Mandarin tuition is available throughout the year. Before completing your registration, kindly reach out to us to discuss your availability and specific learning needs. We will then check our teachers' availabilities to find a suitable match for you.

Once the fees are paid and you are new to us, a complimentary meeting is mandatory to assess your unique learning requirements and to formulate a personalised program before the start of the first private tuition session. This meeting, lasting up to one hour, is provided free of charge. It ensures that your learning experience is precisely tailored to meet your goals.

Mode of participation: Classes can be delivered either in-person or online. Typically, the Confucius Institute office will be used for in-person classes, providing a conducive learning environment.

Course Fee:

  • Fees for a minimum of 10 hourly sessions are £300 (at a rate of £30/h).
  • Fees for 33 hourly sessions are £900 (at a rate equivalent to £27.3/h).

Register "One-to-one Private Mandarin" at the University Online Shop 


For more information, please contact Confucius Institute:

Email: confucius@sheffield.ac.uk

Mobile: 07593 502130

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