Beginners' Mandarin

Introduction
Gateway to Mandarin for Beginners is a two-level conversational Mandarin course designed to help adult learners acquire the language systematically. The content of the course is tailor-made to help students accumulate sufficient vocabulary and conversational skills for day-to-day usage. Learners can build a firm foundation by mastering 600 basic vocabulary and 90 core sentences after they progress to and complete the advanced level.

Course Structure & Methodology
There are 10 units in each level.  Learners are expected to learn new vocabulary and grammatical structures through conversational practices.  Fun activities that encourage active participation will help learners focus on listening and conversational skills.
 

For Whom

Level 1

For adult learners who:  CANNOT speak Mandarin at all

 
Learning Outcome

Able to understand and construct simple phrases on familiar topies Master 200 basic vocabulary and 30 core sentence structures at the end of level 1		Able to construct phrases on familiar topics with sufficient ease to handle short exchanges Master 400 basic vocabulary and 60 core sentence structures at the end of level 2		Able to make him / herself understood in daily conversations Master 600 basic vocabulary and 90 core sentence structures at the end of Elementary Level.

 Instructional Strategies

Classroom-based lessons and reinforcement learning via e-learning website. An e-learning account will be provided free-of-charge to students of Gateway to Mandarin courses.

E-LEARNING: Reinforcement Learning Tool

• Each classroom learner is able to apply for an E-Learning account at our E-Gateway to Mandarin website.
• Learning via the internet does not replace the direct contact with the lecturer nor is it a substitute for interactions between learners.  On the contrary, the e-courseware is to supplement conventional lessons.
• Listen and correct your own pronunciation; follow the dialogue at your own pace; redo the exercises and measure your improvement; do the revision papers; continue to practise even after your classes have ended. Learners then have the best of both worlds!
• You do not have to worry about missing lessons or not being able to follow the class.  

• Revise the lessons
• Redo the exercises
• Listen to the dialogues
• Record your pronunciation
• Do the revision papers
• Do not have to worry about missing lessons and Continue
  to practise even after your classes have ended . . .

Medium of Instruction
Taught in English. In higher levels, the medium will gradually switch to Mandarin.

Trainer Profile
Professional Language Teachers who have many years' of experience in language teaching.

• Native speakers from China.
• With Master/Degree in Applied Linguistics, English or Chinese Languages, Education or other relevant subjects.
• Effectively bilingual in English and Chinese.

Course Structure
Choose one of the two types of classroom-based classes:

1. INTENSIVE Weekdays Evening Class OR
2. LEISURE Weekend Day Class

 *Please note that the days and time of the classes may change from time to time.

Choose one of the following classroom-based classes:

INTENSIVE Weekdays Evening Class Twice a week 7pm to 10pm 10 lessons (Class usually starts every 1 to 2 months)

LEISURE Weekend Day Class Once a week 10.00am - 1.00pm or 2pm to 5pm 10 lessons (Class usually starts every 1 to 2 months)