Chinese Mandarin Lower Intermediate - Level 3

The Level 3 Lower Intermediate Chinese course will enhance your ability to communicate in Mandarin by adding more description and detail in your use of the language.

You’ll re-examine some familiar topics, using more advanced vocabulary and conveying a deeper meaning throughout the virtual lessons. You’ll learn how to bargain with a seller to get the best price, comment on the service in a hotel and discuss outings to museums and historical sites.

You’ll be able to make comparisons, talk about actions-in-progress; and practice using the passive voice. You will also learn how to use adverbs, adjectives and descriptive information to improve your spoken and written skills.

You will also learn more about China’s fascinating culture and ancient history, from the colourful customs of Chinese New Year to understanding historic objects.

Who is it for?

Join us here if you have completed the elementary course or have studied formally for around 120 hours. See the eligibility section to find out more.

Timetable

The full beginners course includes 72 hours of online learning and is taught across six modules.

Benefits

• Delivered by a qualified Chinese speaker
• Interactive and varied learning techniques
• Awarded a City St George’s, University of London certificate.

By the end of this course, you will be able to

• give information about the weather in different places
• discuss clothes for different weather and occasions
• interact with hosts
• room service
• discuss different rooms in the house with functions and descriptions
• understand Chinese New Year festival activities, food and customs
• give directions and information about modes of transport
• understand vocabulary for travel, including ticket types and payment systems
• ask and give directions with detailed information
• read menus and general business opening information
• understand topics such as online shopping, smart phone payment, dining out and green living
• understand hotel check-in procedures
• talk about room furniture and location and describe dimensions of rooms/objects
• make and respond to requests
• write comments about a hotel’s location, facilities and service
• ask and answer questions about rules and signs
• understand simple descriptions about historical periods and objects
• write about a historical period
• order food at a restaurant, and ask questions about different dishes
• ask for and give recommendations
• write a recipe
• bargain with sellers and ask for suggestions
• write about a shopping experience
• talk about a place of natural beauty through comparison and write about the scenery
• report a daily event with information and take questions.

Grammatical structures

• auxiliary word děi
• topic-comment sentences
• le as particle and auxiliary word
• express succession using jiù
• express similarities using A hé B chàbuduō”/ “yíyàng
• discuss comparisons using A bǐ/méi yǒu B + adjectives
• talk about future actions with yào/ huì
• express actions in progress using zhèngzài
• convey possession, existence or location with yǒu
• express adequacy with gòu bú gòu
• questions about size duō dà /cháng/kuān
• understand passive voice using bèi
• express a continuing action or state with zhe
• shì…de constructions.
• noun phrases with de
• giving instructions using imperatives
• bǎ sentences
• duplication of verbs
• yuè
• notional passive
• express result of an action with dào
• articulate percentages using bǎi fēn zhī
• sentence pattern chúle, yǐwài, hái
• use adverbs, adjectives and descriptive information in speaking and writing
• incorporate more connectives in speaking and writing.

You will receive a Certificate of Completion from City St George’s, University of London, along with a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile.

To qualify, you must attend at least  70% of classes.

Teaching

Classes are highly interactive and include:

• Small group work and role-play
• Listening to audio materials (e.g. radio clips)
• Reading articles and texts
• Watching video content
• Digital learning tools to support your progress

You’ll also explore Chinese culture, current affairs and traditions alongside language learning.

It is the right level if you have either:

• If you have completed our elementary course or studied at another provider for around 120 hours, you can join us here.
• have a solid grasp of Pinyin, understand rules on Chinese character formation and be able to write basic characters.

You should already be able to:

• discuss your daily routine
• talk about your profession
• talk about you friends and family
• use pronouns, prepositions and imperatives.

Please do reach out to our team if you’re not sure which level is right for you.

Additional requirements

To enrol onto the Lower Intermediate Chinese course, you must:

• be age 18 or over
• have basic IT skills and a reliable internet connection to access lessons and course materials.

English requirements

You will need a good level of spoken and written English to enrol on this course.