The one-year Mandarin HSK Level 4/5 course provides rich opportunities for you to apply your language skills independently and creatively. You will build the confidence to communicate effectively with Mandarin speakers and engage thoughtfully with a variety of texts, dialogues and multimedia materials. The course combines comprehensive language study with cultural exploration, delivered through four lessons each week.
Topics studied
Language
- Mastery of Simplified Chinese characters and Hanyu Pinyin through PowerPoints, textbooks, worksheets, presentations, conversations, online resources and Mandarin learning apps
- Development of all four key skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing, including learning how to type Chinese characters
- Course books: HSK Standard Course and supporting practice materials, workbooks
- HSK Vocabulary and Grammar: translation tasks, online practice papers, games and activities; the HSK tests cover listening, reading and writing
- Access to online Mandarin learning platforms such as Quizlet, Memrise, GoChinese, Chineseinflow, and BBC Mandarin learning resources
Culture
- Topic 1: Chinese festivals, social issues and traditions – Chinese New Year activities, group presentations and independent cultural research
- Topic 2: Chinese art, crafts, Taichi and music – a museum tour, creative projects, group work and mini-presentations
- Topic 3: Chinese cuisine and food culture – research on China’s regional cuisines, presentations, visit to a Chinese restaurant and hands-on Chinese cookery experience
- Topic 4: Chinese literature and film (classical and modern) – group discussion, film exploration and presentations
Assessment
You will be assessed on your ability to communicate and interact effectively through discussions and oral presentations. An independent research project will further demonstrate your understanding of Chinese culture and your critical thinking skills. You will also have the option to take an official HSK test at an accredited centre if you wish to gain a formal qualification.
Why choose HSK Mandarin?
HSK Mandarin is designed for students ready to progress beyond the basics and develop greater fluency. HSK Mandarin helps learners strengthen their language skills while enjoying the journey of learning Mandarin. Knowledge of Mandarin and Chinese culture is a valuable asset in fields such as business, technology, the arts, international relations, history, and global studies. This course helps you expand your vocabulary, refine your grammar, and improve communication skills while working towards internationally recognized HSK certification.
Taking it Further
Many universities offer Mandarin courses, and you can pursue Mandarin further at institutions such as Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, Warwick and SOAS, as well as universities like Sheffield, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Bangor and Newcastle, many of which provide opportunities for a full year of study or cultural immersion in China.
