Chinese (Mandarin) Cambridge Pre-U
Studying Chinese aT A LEVEL
Introduction by Chinese/Mandarin Specialist:
Hear from the Students:
Exam Board: Edexcel (A Level)
Recommended Entry Criteria: Grade 6 in GCSE Chinese
Why study this course?
Speaking and understanding another language is an invaluable skill which can be useful in many ways throughout life. In today’s global society, with China playing an increasingly important role in the world, speaking Chinese opens doors to a
new range of opportunities in life. In the future you will be competing for jobs on a global level and your knowledge of Chinese language and culture will really make you stand out! Students who have studied language at A Level go on to have careers in a variety of sectors including teaching, translating, sales and marketing, travel and tourism, journalism, fashion, work in the foreign office or secret service, interpreting and banking.
What will I learn?
Your passion and interest in Chinese language and culture will be deepened as you study a wide variety of interesting and relevant topics which relate to young people and modern society. You will study grammar in depth to help you to construct longer, more fluent sentences when writing and speaking in order to enable you to talk about things you are interested in.
How will I be taught?
Languages are taught interactively. You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through a wide variety of different mediums such as video, TV, Internet research and music. As well as topic-based lessons you will have lesson time in the language lab to help with listening. You will have weekly grammar lessons and you will have a language assistant to help you with speaking both individually and in small groups.
How many hours a week private study will I have?
As an A Level student you must spend at least six hours doing private study per week to consolidate your learning and learn how to apply subject knowledge to different contexts.
You’ll enjoy this course if…
You have a passion for the language and want to learn more. Languages are all about communication so if you enjoy travelling and meeting new people, you will definitely enjoy studying a language at The Sixth!
Course Description
You will study:
1. Aspects of society
2. Aspects of political life
3. Aspects of artistic culture
4. Current trends
In addition, you will complete a film study in the first year of the course and a book study in the second year of the course. For the speaking element of the qualification you will complete an individual research project that will be presented orally.
Assessment
Internally you will have milestones assessments every six weeks and regular speaking practice in class where you will assess each other using mark schemes. Externally at the end of the course you will have three papers:
Paper 1: Listening, reading and translation
External written examination, 40% of A Level
Paper 2: Writing
External written examination, 30% of A Level
Paper 3: Speaking
Oral examination, 30% of A Level
For more information, contact Ms X Lu by emailing xlu@gumleyhouse.com