Chinese for Everyone - 12-Week Mandarin Chinese Course
Our 12-week Mandarin Chinese courses align with university semester dates and cater to adult learners of all levels, including university students, staff, and the general public. Classes are available in-person or online.
Chinese for Everyone - 12-Week Mandarin Chinese Course
The next round of courses are scheduled for Spring Semester 2025, running from 10th February - 23rd May 2025 (excluding Easter Holiday from 7th to 27th April).
Available to attend in-person or online, our 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 Chinese 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. All courses are delivered in a hybrid format, providing flexibility for your learning preferences. You can choose to attend either in-person or online.
Course Dates: Monday 10th February - 23rd May 2025.
Please note, there will be a three week break for Easter from 7th - 27th April.
Time:
Weekday evenings, 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Please download the timetable linked below to check your class day and room.
Attendance:
In-Person: Bartolome House, School of Law, University of Sheffield, Winter Street, S3 7ND
Online: University Google Meet or Zoom.
May bank holidays: Due to the May bank holidays on the 5th & 26th of May, the final class (Week 12) for the below levels will take place on Monday 2nd of June. The room your final class will take place in can be found below.
Please note this room might be different to the room you have attended Weeks 1-11 in.
Beginners 2 - DB10
Elementary 2 - DB09
Pre-Intermediate 2 - DB12
Intermediate 2 - DB11
Advanced 2 - BB15a
Course Fees:
Special Christmas Deal (for past/current students ONLY)
- £112, Christmas deal General public (Ends 20 December 2024)
- £96, Christmas deal Concessions for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students
Early bird (for new students ONLY)
- £126, Early bird General public (Ends 17 January 2025)
- £108, Early bird Concessions for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students. (Ends 17 January 2025)
Please note: An Early bird (EB) discounted rate is available on bookings received on or before 17 January 2024, after this date the standard rates will apply.
- £140, standard.
- £120, concession for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students.
The current courses are scheduled for Autumn Semester 2024, running from 30 September 2024 - 20 December 2024.
Spring semester 2025 TimetableRegister for Spring Semester 2025.
Please note: Classes are subject to a minimum number of registrations in order to open each semester.
- Beginners Mandarin I and II
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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 150 Chinese characters, reading simple short texts in Chinese, and have the option to take the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 1.
Course Materials: Whilst the course is powered by Chinese in Steps Volume.1 (Sinolingua London Ltd.. 2011), our teachers will also develop the materials by using a variety of resources. Beginners I will cover the sound system pinyin, greetings, self-introduction, number, time and age, and the topic of learning Chinese.
Building on these skills, Beginners II takes our keen learners through topics of family, weather, studies and asking for directions. Whilst still focusing on speaking and listening skills, at this level, learners will practise writing Chinese characters more extensively.Entry Requirements:
- Beginners I: No prior Mandarin knowledge is required.
- Beginners II: Completion of Beginners I or possessing equivalent language proficiency is required.
- Elementary Mandarin I and II
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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 300-400 Chinese characters, reading simple sentences in Chinese, and achieving readiness for the Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK) Level 2.Course Materials: Chinese in Steps Volume 2 (Sinolingua London Ltd.. 2011).
Entry Requirements:
- Elementary I & II: Prospective students must have completed the preceding Beginners I and II courses, or possess a foundational understanding of Mandarin, equivalent to approximately 150 characters.
- Pre-Intermediate Mandarin I and II
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Description: Designed to further develop the four key language skills in Chinese for Mandarin Beginners, the course begins to use the "Chinese in Steps Vol. 3" textbook. Students will be introduced to a further 400 characters and approximately 700 words.
The course is still very much practice-based, with communicative activities, structure practice, grammar, reading and writing.
By the end of the course, students should be able to complete basic communication tasks in daily life, study and work. They should be able to handle most communication situations encountered when travelling in China. HSK Level 3 is the suggested level for students to take.
Course Materials: Chinese in Steps Volume 3 (Sinolingua London Ltd.. 2011).
Entry Requirements:
- Pre-intermediate I: Completion of Chinese in Steps 2 or grasp of 600 Chinese characters/80 hours of intensive learning or completion of HSK 2b.
- Pre-Intermediate II: Completion of HSK 3a.
- Intermediate Mandarin I and II
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Description: The course is designed for students who have completed "Chinese in Steps Vol. 3" or equivalent, and will start to use "Chinese in Steps Vol. 4". Students will be introduced to a further 400 characters and about 700 words.
By the end of the course, students should be able to communicate freely in daily life situations, to describe some events and to express their own ideas and views while engaged in discussion in a limited range of topics. HSK Level 4 is the suggested level for students to take.
Course Materials: Chinese in Steps Volume 4 (Sinolingua London Ltd.. 2011).
Entry Requirements:
- Completion of Chinese in Steps 3 or HSK 3 or grasp of 600 Chinese characters/80 hours of intensive learning.
- Advanced Mandarin
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Description: The Advanced Mandarin course is tailored for individuals seeking a high level of proficiency in the Chinese language and are preparing for HSK Level 5. Emphasising 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. The autumn semester will consist of the first two units of HSK 5 Part 1.
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 Chinese workshop sessions on Wednesday Evenings
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Join our FREE courses on Wednesday evenings, taking advantage of these complimentary Chinese workshop sessions 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 workshops offered:
- Beginners
- 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.
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:
- Course Structure
- Textbook Acquisition
- Course Attendance Certification
- 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.
- 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.
For more information, please contact Confucius Institute:
Email: confucius@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel: 0114 2228332