Modern Chinese - Intermediate level [ LCHIN1500 ]

This course is for any learner who has taken the elementary courses levels I and II at the ILV or who has taken an equivalent course at another institution.

The course covers every day and familiar topics such as: moving house, asking the way, going to the doctor's, talking about holidays.
Course activities cover the following:

• Construction of grammatically correct sentences (orally and in writing)
• Exercises on new vocabulary in class
• Comprehension of a video conversation between Chinese people
• Group discussion of everyday topics
• Reading long texts on everyday topics
• Reading aloud short texts
• Development of vocabulary of synonyms and antonyms
• Creating short talks
• Learning Chinese games

By the end of the course, the student should have acquired:

• A knowledge of +/- 800 ideograms plus a passive knowledge of others
• Essential and complex grammar structures
• An extensive vocabulary
• The ability to understand conversations and long texts on current topics
• The ability to write about given subjects
• Some ability to read fairy tales and authentic articles
• A greater ability to talk about their studies and everyday life

1. Regular consolidation and revision exercises.
2. General revision at the end of the year
3. final exam : 50% oral, 50% written
   Students have to obtain 12/20 to be admitted to the advanced course.

Audiovisual method
Each lesson comprises a mini-scenario presenting the theme of the lesson and the grammar. The lessons also include listening comprehensions of increasing speed.
The grammar point covered are complex and essential for understanding more challenging texts and conversations.

Each 4-hour lesson is made up as follows: 50% oral, 50% written work. Active learning and memorization of ideograms has to be done at home.

This course aims to continue the development of vocabulary and the knowledge of essential and some complex grammatical structures. Learning these grammar points enables the student to tackle more challenging reading, to understand the language better and to speak with greater ease about studies and daily life.

There are 2 volumes of course notes to accompany the course: one contains ideograms and one the course notes as follows:

• Vocabulary and ideograms of the week
• Vocabulary exercises
• Grammar exercises
• Reading and translation exercises
• Texts to be studied (simplified and unabridged versions)
• Weekly homework
• Cultural texts

The intermediate level course is also accompanied by 4 CDs comprising the course material covered.

• The teacher can be consulted during her office hours during the whole academic year.
• Non-UCL students who take the end-of-year exam will receive an ILV certificate.
• Level A2(+) or B1 of the 'Common European Framework of Reference for Languages'
• Possibility to do a summer language course in Beijing (80 hours of lessons), costs to be borne by the student.