LN240 One Unit
Mandarin Language and Society 4 (Proficiency)
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Dr Catherine Xiang
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Geography, BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in Economic History, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in Economics and Economic History, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development, BSc in Environment and Sustainable Development with Economics, BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Relations and Chinese, BSc in International Relations and History, BSc in Language, Culture and Society, BSc in Management, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study, Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley and MA in Modern History. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is available with permission to General Course students.
This course has a limited number of places (it is capped) and priority will be given to Language Centre BSc students and students from other Departments following a Language Specialism. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and on the MA in Modern History. This course is available with permission to General Course students. All students should seek approval from the teacher responsible before completing course selection. Please see here for information on seeking approval for undergraduate modern language degree courses: https://www.lse.ac.uk/language-centre/undergraduate-degree-courses/degree-courses-as-part-of-an-undergraduate-degree
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed LN140 before taking this course.
Assumed prior knowledge:
Language skills and knowledge of Mandarin at B2 level of the Common European Reference Framework for Languages are required.
Additional requisites:
Students must complete LN140 or reach equivalent language level. An interview with the course co-ordinator prior to registration is compulsory.
Course content
Further advanced (up to proficiency) study of the Mandarin language within the framework of social sciences and culture. In a dynamic and communicative way the course develops all four language skills (i.e. speaking, listening, reading and writing) through individual and group work, topical discussions, authentic and multi-media materials. The focus is on accuracy as well as communication that advance students’ language competence, transferable skills and cultural awareness. At this level, the students are required to read and write up to 3500 Chinese characters.
Teaching
30 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
30 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
3 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Three hours per week, which will feature: (a) interactive topical work; (b) oral practise; (c) grammar and vocabulary work; (d) tutorials; and (e) guided study using IT and web-based materials.
Formative assessment
The students will be required to complete weekly exercises. This includes newspaper reading, research projects and online communicative materials.
Indicative reading
Hunshan Carolyn Lee, Hsin-Hsin Liang, Liwei Jiao and Julian K Wheatley, 2010, The Routledge Advanced Chinese Multimedia Course: Crossing Cultural Boundaries. Hong Kong, Routledge.
Authentic materials from newspaper, web and journals.
Assessment
Exam (30%), duration: 90 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Oral examination (30%)
Continuous assessment (40%)
Language courses map to the Common European Framework for Language Learning. This framework defines linguistic proficiency in the four language skills (reading, writing, speaking and listening) at different levels. To pass this course, students are therefore required to achieve a pass mark in each element of the assessment (continuous assessment, oral and written exams), as these test all four skills.
Key facts
Department: Language Centre
Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: C1
Total students 2024/25: 3
Average class size 2024/25: 3
Capped 2024/25: NoCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication