Mandarin School

This beginners course starts with an introduction of the Pinyin system, a tool for mastering the pronunciation of Chinese words. The next lessons present a variety of situations which students may encounter in their everyday lives, including meeting people, asking about jobs, talking about hobbies and favorite cuisines, and chatting about weather and activities. The lessons focus on demonstrating how Chinese speakers should interact in each context. Vocabulary and grammatical structures are carefully chosen to facilitate communication. Classroom interaction exercises operationalize learnings, and supplementary words or phrases equip students with the necessary resources to express themselves. Through reading cultural notes, students gain a better understanding of Chinese customs and language. The task-based homework exercises help students practice the skills needed in different social settings. Note: Course material included in price.

This Level 2 course provides scenarios set in a wide range of locations where students are likely to use Chinese. These settings include the clinic, the airline counter, their college or language school, a Chinese supermarket, a Canadian clothing store, and during a rental home viewing. Content-based vocabularies are tailored for each location and scenario. Grammar sections focus on basic expressions; words and structures that are unique to Chinese also make appearances in this level. During interactive classroom exercises, students are asked to role-play scenarios which follow real life closely. In a series of brief sections on culture, students gain deeper insights on common Chinese words. Weekly homework exercises apply classroom learning to everyday situations students may encounter.

Lessons in this level begin to introduce presentations alongside conversation in the classroom. With a solid foundation from past levels, this class will acquaint students with a narrative style of speech when sketching persons and scenarios. At the same time, conversations for each lesson reflect the community life we all experience, such as volunteering, raising children, attending community-wide activities, having a yard sale, and adhering to local bylaws. The narrations demonstrate standard elements of writing, whereas conversations focus on interacting in an agreeable and culturally sensitive manner. Vocabulary at this level becomes more complex, with more contextual implications. Students will have opportunities to practice spoken Chinese in each lesson, including oral presentations and role-play. Prerequisites: Adult Mandarin Level 2 or equivalent.Note: Course material included in price.

Level 4 focuses on the most cherished and significant holidays in Canada. During these holidays, at events, including Canada Day and the Lion Dance of Chinese Spring Festival, Canadians from different backgrounds and across the country congregate to celebrate and preserve our traditions. Not only is the holiday the dominant theme of each lesson, but holiday activities are also illustrated in detail, such as camping, parties, potlucks, and shopping. The lessons equip students with the necessary vocabulary and structures to describe their holiday celebrations through oral presentations. Each topic is presented in tandem with a reading passage closely related to the main text, with formal writing woven into the reading. The addition of formal writing prepares students for further newspaper readings and essay writings.Prerequisites: Adult Mandarin Level 3 or equivalent.Note: Course material included in price.

Level 5 showcases the vibrant tapestry of Canada's multicultural society as experienced in the everyday lives of its people. The texts depict various situations where Canadians are likely to interact with Mandarin speakers. These lessons provide insight into diverse interactions, such as becoming a host family to international students, enrolling new immigrants in schools, and renting houses to newcomers. Each lesson provides a bank of extensive vocabulary related to the topic, allowing students to articulate their own experiences and engage in meaningful conversations. Advanced grammar is introduced to facilitate complex sentence structures and expressions of ideas with eloquence. Through interactive role plays and presentations, students can put their newfound vocabulary and grammar skills into practice, ensuring a deeper understanding of the content. Additional sections on supplementary words and relevant expressions extend learning beyond the classroom. The attached readings provide unique perspectives on the cities we call home.

This intermediate level course aims to improve communication skills in Mandarin. Building on language skills acquired in Level 5, this course combines a review of grammatical structures while strengthening speaking and reading skills. Students will learn some practical expressions through reading and writing.Prerequisites: Adult Mandarin Level 5 or equivalent.Note: Course material included in price.

This course is for students with a range of vocabulary and good conversation skills, as the instructor will converse in Mandarin only. Through a series of essays and other activities students will expand their ability to read Chinese, as well as improve verbal expression. Course materials vary between semesters to accommodate students wishing to repeat the course.Prerequisites: Adult Mandarin Level 6, or equivalent.Note: Course material included in price.

This course is for students with good conversation skills and basic reading and writing ability. This in-depth study of selected readings includes well-known Chinese poetry, common expressions, and idioms. Students participate in composing short essays and presentations.Prerequisites: Adult Mandarin Level 7 or equivalent.Note: Course material included in price.

Children are taught basic phonetics, the four tones in the Mandarin language, simple characters, basic keystrokes, rhyme recitals and story telling.

Children are taught correct intonation, an introduction to the fundamentals of the language, phrase structure, picture composition and poem recitals.

Children are introduced to keystroke practice, sentence structure, homonyms, synonyms, poems, and short stories.

New words are added to children's vocabulary to stimulate the understanding of synonyms, antonyms and other Mandarin language fundamentals. Idioms are introduced.

Emphasis is placed on language comprehension. Children practice sentence structure, the use of antonyms and techniques to improve their Mandarin communication skills.

Using the techniques taught in Grades 1 to 5, children are encouraged to keep a Mandarin language diary.

Children are taught words that will reinforce the language's pictorial origin and rich cultural background.

This course encourages children in the appropriate use of idioms and focuses on increasing their level of conversational fluency.

Children practice public speaking and presentation skills in the Mandarin language. They will also learn about and gain a deeper understanding of the Chinese culture. Children will be introduced to basic Chinese brush writing.

Adding to Mandarin language skills taught in the lower grades, children are introduced to positive values of famous characters from around the world to stimulate the students' inter-disciplinary education.

Emphasizing the use of Mandarin for communication, news forums and debates are organized to stimulate the students' thinking and expression.

This course is not offered at this time. Please email rlouie@langara.ca for details.

Building on skills learned in Grade 11 Mandarin, this course provides the student with more practice in developing their Mandarin communication skills. The course prepares the students to take the Challenge Test.

Pre-primary classes are subdivided into Levels 1 and 2. The emphasis is on learning through activities: singing, poems, nursery rhymes, storytelling and games. These activities are used to lay a foundation for the child's understanding of the Mandarin language.Note: Students four years of age and older are assigned to the appropriate class at registration.

Currently accepting students from ages 4 to 16. This course aims to stimulate the student's interest in mathematics by strengthening their analytical skills. Individual attention and customized assignments are provided to each student so they can advance at their own pace.Note: Course material is not included.

Designed for children 5 to 12 years old, this course encourages free play of ideas and free roaming imagination. Using drawing techniques to create different types of expression, the child will invent stories and enjoy their imagination and creations.Note: Course material is not included.

An introductory course designed to expand the basic elements of good draftsmenship for children 8 years and older. All skill levels welcome.Note: Supplies are not included in course fees and may be purchased at the Langara College Bookstore before the first class.