Putonghua for Foreigners | Yale-China Chinese Language Centre

Non-native Speakers Series外語人士學中文系列

Putonghua (Mandarin) Courses普通話課程

Evening classes in January, April, July & October. Saturday classes in January, May & September

<Foundation Certificate in Chinese as a Foreign/ Second Language (Putonghua )> is recognized under the Qualifications Framework.

See July & September 2016 new class schedule

Putonghua, also known as Mandarin, the standard speech and the official language of mainland China spoken by more than 1 billion native speakers, is increasingly regarded as the language with equal importance to English. Along with the booming economy and the many business opportunities in China, learning Putonghua seems becoming inevitable for many, and the education systems in many foreign countries have made learning of Putonghua compulsory to students.

Course Outline: This is an intensive programme for non-native speakers of Chinese. To give an all-rounded training in Chinese (Putonghua), all the four speech functions namely listening, speaking, reading and writing will be taught with emphasis on oral skill and listening comprehension. The programme consists of proficiency-oriented activities based on useful vocabulary items, daily expressions and a wide variety of patterns. Simplified Chinese characters will be taught in ALL Putonghua courses. The elementary courses familiarize students with the fundamental pronunciation in Putonghua through different activities. By the end of the courses, students are expected to use Putonghua to solve daily problems in a limited way. Upon intermediate and advanced level, the courses focus on the use of more vocabulary and grammar structures, fluency in speaking practice in real life settings, and the appropriateness in application. For reference only, students are usually expected to spend no less than 4 hours a week on revision to make progress.

Elementary to Intermediate courses

Module 1 – Elementary Putonghua I for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
The sounds and tones of Putonghua (“Hanyu Pinyin” or Putonghua Phonetics), classroom expressions. Topics: what is your name; who is he; is that the office; is the teacher here; where are you going; where is the station; what do you want to do.
Module 2 – Elementary Putonghua II for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Revision on Putonghua sounds, tones and expression. Topics: what do you like to eat; how much is it; when will we go; when will you be free; please ask someone to give me a call; what is the best way to go somewhere.
Module 3 – Upper Elementary Putonghua I for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: introducing someone; inviting someone for sport; my favorite food; is the shopping mall far from here.
Module 4 – Upper Elementary Putonghua II for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: holiday plan; talking about previous trips; transportation and accommodation; sick leave.
Module 5 – Intermediate Putonghua I for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: visiting a friend; chatting with roommate; taking a taxi; entertainment; making traveling plan.
Module 6 – Intermediate Putonghua II for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: applying visa; buying tickets; making reservation; seeing a doctor; farewell.
Module 7 – Upper Intermediate Putonghua I for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: reunion; self-introduction at intermediate level; a letter from a long-time friend; making recommendations; renting a house; expressing gratitude for a favor; inviting friends for dinner.
Module 8 – Upper Intermediate Putonghua II for Non-Chinese Speakers	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: hobbies; convincing friends to quit bad habits; sports; health issues; appreciating a film; recommending films to friends; musical talent and concert; requesting for a make-up test; seasons and fashion; differences between two countries.

Intermediate to Advanced courses

Module 9 –Putonghua Advanced Starter I* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH3313 Application of Vocabulary & Grammar III)	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: discussing travel plans, safety first, hospitalization, whom do children resemble, to mail a greeting card.
Module 10 –Putonghua Advanced Starter II* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH3323 Oral Skill Practice III)	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: the missing wallet, looking for a job, buying a computer, the news media, a get together.
Module 11 –Putonghua Advanced Starter III* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH3333 Communication in Context III)	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: a travel in China, look for a better job, seize the chance, a new page in life, a happy living.
Module 12 –Putonghua Advanced Starter IV* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH3343 Listening and Reading Comprehensions Skills III)	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: describing appearance, clothing, cooking and recipe, household decorations, work and profession
Module 13 –Putonghua Advanced Starter V* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH3353 Basic Presentation Skills & Daily Situations III)	40 sessions	3 credits
Topics: vacation, medical attendance, news and magazines, family and marriage, lifestyle
Module 14 and 15 –Advanced Putonghua IA & IB (News Media IA and IB)* for Non-Chinese Speakers (CPTH4413 News Media and Presentation Skill I)	40 sessions each	3 credits each
Topics: contest and voting, survey and statistics, natural hazards, environmental protection, official announcement, health and medical, consumer complaints, ordinance and regulations.
*HSK Preparatory Class – Level 4	40 sessions	3 credits
*HSK Preparatory Class – Level 5	40 sessions	3 credits

*Module 9 and above are not part of the Foundation Certificate award. However, the credits earned in these courses can be counted towards the Regular daytime Certificate/ Diploma/ Advanced Diploma programme award.

Teaching materials: “Basic Chinese: A Short Course I-II”, “Practical Chinese”, “Kung-Fu I-II” or other materials written by CLC instructors

Assessment: Quiz (written), final exam (oral), Speech presentation, instructor’s assessment and attendance.

* Note: students can opt for assessment exemption. However, the students will not be, if available, entitle to CUHK award-bearing certificate.

Teaching staff: Well-qualified and experienced teachers (CUHK employees) in Teaching Chinese as a Foreign/ Second Language.

　Yale-China Chinese Language Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong,
Fong Shu Chuen Building, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, SAR
Tel:(852)3943 6727(enquiries) Fax:(852)2603 5004
Tel:(852)3943 6728(message for typhoons & rainstorms)
Enquiries: clc@cuhk.edu.hk