Type of course

The course can be taught in-person or online. At 'timetable & registration' you find an overview of our courses.

In a classroom course, the teacher and all students are present in the classroom. To be able to participate online, you are advised to use a headset with microphone.To check that everything is working properly, please use: Quick Tech Check.

It is not possible to switch between courses once the course has started.

Course description

The Chinese 2 course is intended for those who have completed the Chinese 1 course or have a comparable level (A1.1) of Chinese. Attention is paid to the different components of the characters and the structure of the Chinese language. In this course the topics covered include: shopping, ordering drinks and food, inviting people, describing people’s appearance, asking for and giving directions, planning activities. The necessary grammar is explained and ample attention is paid to vocabulary. All skills are covered: speaking, writing, reading and listening. Attention is also paid to the cultural context of the countries in which the language is spoken.

After completing this course, you will be able to understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. You can introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details. You can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

The course makes use of the digital learning environment BrightSpace. Within this learning environment you will find the homework and additional learning materials. Course participants are expected to prepare the lessons at home (approximately two hours per lesson).

The course is concluded with a test. A certificate is awarded if the test is completed successfully and the participant has attended 80% of the lessons.

Course material

• Contemporary Chinese 1 Textbook. Sinolingua. ISBN 9787513806176. Chapter 5-8
• Contemporary Chinese 1 Characterbook. Sinolingua. ISBN 9787513806190.
• Contemporary Chinese 1. Sinolingua. ISBN 9787513806183.

The text book Contemporary Chinese 1 consists of 8 chapters and corresponds to a complete level of the CEFR/ERK. The aim of this book is to guide you to level A1. The content is divided into two courses. After the course Chinese 1 you will reach level A1.1 and after following Chinese 2 level A1.2 (A1).

The course material is not included in the course price. Course participants are required to purchase course materials themselves well in advance. Audio CDs of the textbook and the exercise book can also be purchased separately by the course participants, but this is not compulsory.

Target group and admission requirements

The course is intended for adults with a higher education diploma, including both students and staff members of Leiden University, as well as interested parties who have no connection to Leiden University.

The course is open to persons aged 17 or older who has completed a secondary school education. Participants who have successfully completed the Chinese 1 course of the Academic Language Centre, or who can prove in some other way that they possess the required entry level can sign up. A basic knowledge of English is required.

Other information

• The maximum number of participants for an online course is 16 and for a classroom course is 18.
• The course load is 56 hours. On request a Course load declaration form can be issued. The student should enquire with their department whether course participation can be converted into credits.
• The holiday periods can be found in the Academic Language Centre's academic calendar.
• If classes are cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances, they will be added on to the end of the course. Please take into account courses may end later than scheduled.
• The course level is indicated with the help of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.