Levels of study - Mandarin Chinese

Enrol for a beginner level module if you have no knowledge of Chinese and have never attended classes before.

Beginner modules are labelled Stage 1 and Stage 1a:

Stage 1 modules are modules taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.
Stage 1a modules are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. They cover roughly half the material of Stage 1 modules. You can also take a Stage 1a module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 1 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 1: A2 CEFR level
Stage 1a: A1 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 1b module if your current level is lower elementary and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 1a module at QMUL, or:
Your level is A1 CEFR level or GCSE grade 3-5 (old grade: D or C).
You can read/ recognise about 150 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 50 characters.
You can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
You can introduce yourself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where you live, people you know and things you have.
You can interact in a simple way providing that the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Modules at this level are labelled are labelled Stage 1b modules. They are taught in 2-hour weekly sessions, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. You can also take a Stage 1b module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 2 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 1b: A2 CEFR level (UK GCSE grade 7 equivalent)

Enrol for a Chinese 2 or 2a module if your current level is elementary and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 1 or Stage 1b module at QMUL, or:
Your level is A2 CEFR level or GCSE grades 6-9 (old grades: B-A*).
You can read/ recognise about 300 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 100 characters.
You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to areas of most immediate relevance, e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment.
You can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.
You can describe in simple terms aspects of your background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate basic need.

Modules at this level are labelled Stage 2 and Stage 2a:
Stage 2 modules are taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.
Stage 2a modules are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. They cover roughly half the material of Stage 2 modules. You can also take a Stage 2a module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 1 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 2: B1 CEFR level
Stage 2a: B1.1 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 2b module if your current level is lower intermediate and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 2a module at QMUL, or:
Your level is B1.1 CEFR level (between A2 and B1).
You can read/ recognise about 450 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 150 characters.

You can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to routine situations encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
You can deal with simple situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
You can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar, or of personal interest.
You can describe experiences and events, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Modules at this level are labelled are labelled Stage 2b modules. They are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. You can also take a Stage 2b module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 2 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
B1 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 3 or 3a module if your current level is intermediate and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 2 or Stage 2b module at QMUL, or:
Your level is B1 CEFR level.
You can read/ recognise about 600 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 200 characters.
You can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc.
You can deal with standard situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken.
You can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar, or of personal interest.
You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Modules at this level are labelled are labelled Stage 3 and Stage 3a:
Stage 3 modules are taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.
Stage 3a modules are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. They cover roughly half the material of Stage 3 modules. You can also take a Stage 3a module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 1 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 3a: B2.1 CEFR level (between B1 and B2)
Stage 3: B2 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 3b module if your current level is upper intermediate and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 3a module at QMUL, or:
Your level is B2.1 CEFR level (between B1 and B2)
You can read/ recognise about 750 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 250 characters.
You can understand the main ideas of fairly complex text on a range of topics that you have studied.
You can interact with some degree of fluency on topics you are familiar with
You can produce text on a range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue, giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Modules at this level are labelled are labelled Stage 3 and Stage 3a:
Stage 3 modules are taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.
Stage 3b modules are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. You can also take a Stage 3b module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 2 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 3b: B2 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 4 module if your current level is advanced and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 3 or 3b module at QMUL, or:
Your level is B2 CEFR level.
You can read/ recognise about 900 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 300 characters.
You can understand the main ideas of complex text on a range of topics.
You can interact with some degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with fluent speakers possible.
You can produce clear and detailed text on a range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

Chinese advanced modules are labelled Stage 4 and 4a:
Stage 4 modules are taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.
Stage 4a modules are taught 2 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks). If taken for credit, they are worth 15 credits. They cover roughly half the material of Stage 4 modules. You can also take a Stage 4a module as an intensive one-semester module in Semester 1 (11 weeks, 4 taught hours per week).

Expected level on completion:
Stage 4: B2/C1 CEFR level

Enrol for a Chinese 5 module if your current level is advanced plus and the following applies to you:

You have successfully completed a Stage 4 module at QMUL, or:
Your level is B2/C1 CEFR level.
You can read/ recognise about 1500 Chinese characters, and handwrite about 550 characters.
You can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning.
You can express yourself fluently and spontaneously without obvious searching for expressions.
You can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes.
You can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.
You can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes and ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Chinese advanced plus modules are labelled Stage 5:
Stage 5 modules are taught 4 hours per week, from September to April (22 weeks), and, if taken for credit, are worth 30 credits.

Expected level on completion:
Stage 5: C1/C2 CEFR level