Academic Calendar 2025-2026

Chinese (CHIN)

CHIN 100  Introductory Mandarin Chinese I  Units: 6.00  
For students with no previous knowledge of Chinese. Students familiar with Cantonese or Mandarin will not be permitted to enroll. Introduction to the basic structural patterns and functional usage of the language including an emphasis on oral communication (both listening and speaking), reading and writing basic Chinese characters, as well as Chinese culture.
NOTE Students can self-enrol during the course registration period. However, for students with previous knowledge of the language, final approval of enrolment is at the discretion of the instructor, pending an assessment of a student's language competency. Students can contact the instructor for an assessment anytime during the academic year (September-May). Please note that instructors may not be available for language competency assessments in May, June, July, and early August. Non-disclosure of previous knowledge of the language is considered a departure from academic integrity.
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 24 Tutorial, 144 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite Level 1 or (Level 2 or above and a cumulative GPA of 1.90 or higher). Note Students will have their level of competence assessed by the instructor during orientation week in September.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  

Course Learning Outcomes:

  1. Engage in everyday conversations using common vocabulary and basic grammatical structures, allowing them, for example, to introduce themselves, ask and answer simple questions, and express their basic needs and preferences in the language
  2. Understand spoken language on familiar topics, such as personal information, basic descriptions, and daily routines, delivered at a slow to moderate pace and using beginner-level vocabulary.
  3. Read and comprehend short texts related to everyday life, employing basic reading strategies to understand sentence structure, main ideas, and key details with limited use of a dictionary.
  4. Write simple messages, notes, and paragraphs employing correct syntax and basic vocabulary to express personal experiences, daily activities, and simple opinions.
  5. Cultural Context: Throughout the course, students will gain an introductory understanding of the cultural context of the target language, including significant customs, traditions, and social norms associated with the regions where the language is spoken.
  
CHIN 200  Introductory Mandarin Chinese II  Units: 6.00  
For students with some knowledge of Cantonese who wish to acquire a command of Mandarin or for students with some knowledge of Mandarin who want to improve their Chinese language skills. Continued study of basic structural patterns of the language with the emphasis on oral communication, reading and writing using the simplified forms of Chinese characters.
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 24 Tutorial, 144 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite CHIN 100/6.0 and permission of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Note Students will have their level of competence assessed by the instructor during orientation week in September.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science  
  
CHIN 300  Intermediate Mandarin Chinese  Units: 6.00  
Continuing study of the functional usage of Mandarin Chinese with intensive training in listening, speaking, reading and writing using the simplified forms of Chinese characters.
Learning Hours: 240 (72 Lecture, 168 Private Study)  
Requirements: Prerequisite CHIN 200/6.0 and permission of the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. Note Students will have their level of competence assessed by the instructor during orientation week in September.  
Offering Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Science