.

The module introduces, but also problematises, the Chinese language and culture by encouraging you to explore the language and cultural diversities that characterise Chinese-speaking communities in the present day, which is conventionally studied as a singular, homogeneous entity. You will be introduced to traditional and contemporary representations of the societies often labelled as ‘Chinese’ and critically compare them towards a relativised understanding of the ‘Chinese culture’. Topics include relationship building, social and business etiquettes and the concept of ‘face’. In this module, you will also begin acquiring the basic Mandarin skills, which draws on the Can-do Statements for Level A1 recommended by The European Benchmarking Chinese Language Project (EBCL). It covers the following content:

1. Hanyu Pinyin, a widely used transcription system for Mandarin
2. essential characters for describing personal and family life and everyday transactions such as numbers, housing and food
3. basic grammar, including the main rules of the composition of simple characters, words and sentences
4. the development of reflective, organisational and technical skills to underpin successful language learning
5. the development of basic independent research skills, using the internet or other resources as appropriate.

12. Learning Outcomes of the module
LO1: explain the diversities of Chinese language and culture
LO2: provide and ask for information on topics relating to oneself and one’s family in Mandarin
LO3: conduct simple everyday transactions, such as, for example, ordering a meal, using simple but accurate Mandarin
LO4: perform simple written communication in Mandarin with a computer using the Hanyu Pinyin input method
LO5: identify broad difference and/or similarity between Mandarin and students’ first language(s) in relation to the underpinning cultural factors