Mandarin language for adults | 谢大孔院成人部

Our 12-week Mandarin Chinese course provide comprehensive Mandarin language courses tailored for adult learners of all levels, catering to university students, staff, and the general public. These courses offer the option to attend either in-person or online

Adults Autumn 169
On

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

*CLASSES DELIVERED IN-PERSON AND ONLINE**

Autumn semester Timetable

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

  •  £126, Early bird standard.
  •  £108, Early bird concession.

Please note: An Early bird (EB) discounted rate is available on bookings received on or before Wednesday, 31st July 2024, after this date the standard rates will apply.

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

The upcoming courses are scheduled for Autumn Semester 2024, running from 30 September 2024 - 20 December 2024. 

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

Autumn semester Timetable

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), totaling 10 contact hours. 

Course Fee: 

  • Free if you choose to proceed with one of the 12-week Mandarin courses.
  • If you exclusively wish to enroll 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.

Register here!

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 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.

Register here!

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 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.

Register here!

Pre-Intermediate Mandarin I and II

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.

Register here!

Intermediate Mandarin I and II

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.

Register here!

Advanced Mandarin

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.

Register here!

* Complimentary Chinese workshop sessions on Wednesday Evenings

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

Autumn semester Timetable

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.

Register here!


 Survival Chinese (standalone course)

Interested in learning Chinese?

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 duration:  The upcoming Survival Chinese course is scheduled from September 23rd to September 27th, 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 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 Fees: The course is priced at £70 (standard) or £60 (concession for senior citizens and University of Sheffield staff and students).

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

Tel: 0114 2228332

A global reputation

Sheffield is a research university with a global reputation for excellence. We're a member of the Russell Group: one of the 24 leading UK universities for research and teaching.