Chinese - 汉语

The courses teach basic knowledge of the modern Chinese language with a view to practical application. The course content includes High Chinese pronunciation (Putonhua), basic grammar and current language usage. You will also learn how to write Chinese characters. The focus of the entire learning programme is on developing your language skills through practical everyday topics: Interacting with people, living, eating, shopping, health, urban transport, travelling, etc.

For general information on enrolment and assessment, please read here.

At least four levels are offered: Chinese I and III in the winter semester, Chinese II and IV in the summer semester. The level is in the A1/A2 field of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. If there is sufficient demand, further levels will be institutionalised.

Chinese characters

Learning and mastering the Chinese language and Chinese characters is not very difficult. You just need to know that Chinese characters are not a phonetic script. They are an ideographic script developed from pictograms and consist of a certain number of components that are combined according to certain rules. It is precisely these components that should be learnt first. Furthermore, words consist of a limited number of characters. In other words, the "character set" determines the "vocabulary set". Components->Characters->Words

Preparation course HSK 1/2

This course serves as targeted preparation for the HSK exam (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi). The HSK exam is a standardised Chinese language test for Chinese as a foreign language. It serves as a test and proof of Chinese language ability. If you pass the exam, you will receive the HSK certificate, which is recognised worldwide and in China. The exam is organised by the
Confucius Institute.
There are a total of six language levels (HSK 1- HSK 6). The course prepares participants for the HSK 1/2 level and covers topics that are intended for the exam. This is supplemented by grammar, vocabulary and exercises relevant to the exam. The course also includes intensive practice and discussion of mock exams.

Learners with no previous knowledge choose course I / A1 / A1.1. Cross-entry to higher levels is possible: please use the global scale as a guide for self-assessment. If you have any questions, please contact the ZfS team(zfs@upb.de), who will forward your enquiry to the appropriate teacher if necessary.

Preparatory course HSK 1/2: This course is divided into two groups. Group 1 is aimed at students who have successfully completed the Chinese II course. Group 2 is aimed at students who have successfully completed Chinese IV and have passed a mock exam (HSK 1) as a placement test.

Please note that attendance is compulsory for the courses and that students are expected to spend 3-6 hours per week preparing for and following up on the course content.

The textbook will be announced during the course.