Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-CHINESE Background Students

Mandarin is spoken by more than 1.5 billion people in the world and is one of the six official languages of the UN. China has a 5000 year history and culture, boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world and is widely regarded as the potentially biggest global market in the twenty-first century.

A major in Chinese (Mandarin) provides a course of study which allows students who have no prior knowledge of Mandarin or of Chinese characters to specialise in Mandarin.

Students may commence their studies as beginners or advanced learners. Students who enter the major at post-HSC may be exempted from some language subjects and should consult the Languages and Linguistics Discipline Leader. Native or near-native speakers and speakers of another Chinese dialect who are familiar with Chinese characters will enrol in the major Chinese (Mandarin) for Character Background students.

Major Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the Chinese (Mandarin) for Non-Chinese Background Students major students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a broad and coherent understanding of the Mandarin language and grammar
2. Comprehend spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the Chinese Language Proficiency Scales for Speakers of Other Languages (CLPS) and B1 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
3. Communicate in both spoken and written Chinese equivalent to Level 3 in the CLPS and B1 level in the CEFR.
4. Critically analyse and evaluate historical events and socio-cultural forces that have shaped modern China, its people and language

Subjects Required for Major Study

Beginners

A major in Chinese (Mandarin) for beginners or near beginners consists of 66 credit points, as set out below.

Strong 2 Unit HSC pass or equivalent

Students who have achieved a strong 2 Unit HSC pass or equivalent may choose to enter the language sequence at the level of MAND251 and complete a 54 credit point major, as set out below.

All students wishing to enter the Chinese (Mandarin) major at the level of MAND152 or MAND251 must obtain approval from the appropriate Chinese (Mandarin) Subject Co-ordinator.

Beginners major

Strong 2 Unit HSC pass or equivalent major 

Subjects Required for Minor Study

A minor study in Mandarin consists of four sequential subjects in Mandarin. The minor will consist of 28 or 32 credit points of language study (28 credit points for students beginning at 100-level).

Example: A student beginner could take a minor by studying MAND151, MAND152, MAND251 and MAND252.

A student who had studied Mandarin to HSC level and was commencing university Mandarin at second year level could take a minor by studying MAND251, MAND252, MAND351 and MAND352.

Whilst the minor will not be stipulated on the student's testamur at graduation, it will be recorded on the academic transcript.

Diploma in Languages

Students who wish to undertake a Diploma concurrently with their Bachelors Degree course should refer to the Diploma in Languages for further information.

Honours

See Bachelor of Arts (Honours).

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au