Type of course

The course can be taught in-person or online. Go to ‘Timetable & Registration' to see whether the course is offered as a traditional classroom and/or online course.

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

Course description

The Chinese 5 course is intended for those who have completed the Chinese 4 course or have a comparable level (A2.1) 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: weather and climate, living situation and environment, local geography, giving compliments and comments. 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 comment on actions and situations, offer compliments and express wishes, make comparisons, talk about the weather and the seasons, describe routes and locations, and talk about your own home and living environment.

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. If you will be absent for more lessons, please contact your teacher or talencentrum@hum.leidenuniv.nl.

Course material

• New Contemporary Chinese: Textbook 2 / 3rd Edition. Sinolingua ISBN: 9787513822374. Chapter 4-6
•  New Contemporary Chinese: Character Book 2 /  3rd Edition. Sinolingua. ISBN: 9787513822381
• New Contemporary Chinese: Exercise Book 2 / 3rd Edition. Sinolingua. ISBN: 9787513822398

The textbook Contemporary Chinese 2 consists of 12 chapters and corresponds to a complete level of the CEFR/ERK. The aim of this book is to guide you to level A2. The content is divided into multiple courses. After the course Chinese 4 and 5  you will reach level A2.1 and after following Chinese 6 and 7 level A2.2 (A2).

The course material is not included in the course price. Course participants are required to purchase course materials themselves. The audio clips from the textbook and excercise book can be listened to free of charge by scanning the QR code on the book’s cover.

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 have completed a secondary school education.

Participants who have successfully completed the Chinese 4 course of the Academic Language Centre, or who can prove in some other way that they possess the required entry level can sign up.

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.