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Chinese Language and Cultures: Elementary - LFA00217L

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  • Department: Language and Linguistic Science
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: F
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This course is aimed at students who have a very basic knowledge of Chinese. Over the course of a semester, it will steadily build the knowledge, skills, and strategies necessary to learn Chinese and communicate in familiar everyday situations. It will focus on developing a communicative competence at elementary level and provide a foundation for further study.

Related modules

Chinese Language and Cultures: Beginner or equivalent

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24
B Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

The aim of this module are:

  • to further develop skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing

  • to develop interactive skills in familiar situations

  • build up a range of Chinese characters and establish their application

Students will engage, individually and in groups, in activities and tasks emphasising three core communicative skills:

  1. reception activities (oral, audio-video and reading comprehension);

  2. production activities (oral and written production);

  3. interaction activities (oral, written and online interaction).

The mediums of instruction are English and Chinese.

Module learning outcomes

  • Ability to understand familiar everyday phrases and expressions in predictable settings.

  • Ability to produce phrases and series of sentences about familiar everyday subjects.

  • Ability to communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.

  • Ability to recognise basic cultural conventions associated with everyday social exchanges.

  • Ability to write words and sentences relevant to the subjects covered in Chinese.

Module content

Topics may include:

  • talking about one's profession;

  • describing the location of something;

  • ordering food and drinks; giving someone a treat;

  • making a comparison and describing preference;

  • finding one's way around;

  • talking about transport and travel.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 60
Oral presentation/seminar/exam 40

Module feedback

Feedback on exams and essays as per University regulations.

Indicative reading

Course materials and guided readings will be provided by the module convenors via the VLE at the start of the semester.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.